Legal Fees for Attorneys

The amount of legal fees is determined either by the Lawyers' Remuneration Act (RVG) or by a fee agreement. Naturally, we will inform you about the estimated lawyer's fees and the potential litigation costs during your initial consultation.

We generally distinguish between the following legal services:

Costs for Legal Advice
Do you require an initial legal consultation to professionally assess the chances of success in a legal matter? The fee depends on the value of the subject matter, as well as the amount of work involved and the complexity of the case. For consumers, this is capped at a maximum of € 190.00 plus VAT (totaling € 226.10). To the client's benefit, the fee for the initial consultation will be fully credited towards any subsequent fees should you choose to retain our services further.

Out-of-Court Costs
For out-of-court activities in civil law, the amount of lawyer's fees, when billed according to the RVG, is based on the value in dispute. For example, in the case of a claim, it is based on the disputed payment amount. A business fee is charged for out-of-court proceedings, and a settlement fee is charged if an agreement is reached with the opposing party.

For other activities where a “value in dispute” is difficult to determine, such as the individual drafting of contracts or legal assistance in more complex matters, a fee agreement is advisable.

Costs for Court Representation
For court proceedings, fees are generally charged according to the legal provisions of the RVG. These will be explained in general terms below. Of course, this overview cannot replace a detailed explanation and personal consultation with a lawyer.

Procedural Fee
In civil court proceedings, a procedural fee is incurred for court representation and the submission of legal documents. A hearing fee is charged for the lawyer's attendance at court dates. In the event of a settlement with the opposing party in court, a settlement fee may also apply.

Fees in Criminal Cases
For criminal proceedings, the legislator provides so-called framework fees in the RVG, which are determined by the complexity, the scope of the lawyer's work, and the significance of the matter for the client. In addition to a basic fee for familiarizing oneself with the legal case and a procedural fee for handling the case, the lawyer's attendance at court hearings is covered by hearing fees.
However, for defense in criminal cases, it is often advisable – also for cost transparency – to conclude a fee agreement in advance for the individual stages of the proceedings.

By the way: Legal expenses insurance can help you mitigate the financial risks of a legal dispute. However, it should be noted that certain areas are generally excluded from insurance coverage, such as divorces (only consultation is covered), defense against claims for damages, and claims arising from commercial or freelance activities. We would be happy to check for you whether any existing legal expenses insurance covers the costs of legal services.