The Quebec legal system is quite unique. If you are taking legal action against an organization, whether private or public, and the implications are serious, there is a good chance that hiring a lawyer will help you get things done more efficiently than if you were to represent yourself!
You should always budget for the cost of a lawyer if you need legal advice or services. There are many different fees and costs, so it is important to know what they all mean. This will ensure that your finances remain stable during this time and everything goes as smoothly as possible!
This article from our Montreal administrative lawyer summarizes how lawyers’ fees work in Quebec and how much lawyers charge for their services.
How do lawyers’ fees work in Quebec?
Legal proceedings are costly and can include both the cost of time spent in court and the cost of the lawyer. The cost will depend largely on the extent of your case, the services required and whether or not the lawyer has other cases to litigate at the same time.
Generally, the first consultation with a lawyer is free or very inexpensive. This meeting informs you about your rights and helps determine in advance an estimate of the fees to be paid for your entire case.
The average hourly rate of a lawyer in Quebec varies from between $100 and $300 depending on several factors. For lawyers who bill their fees at a flat rate, about half of them charge $100 or less an hour. For more information, contact our professional lawyers directly.
What factors determine a lawyer’s fees?
The Barreau du Québec does not have specific guidelines for the cost of legal fees. Each lawyer is able to determine, in accordance with the Code of Professional Conduct of Lawyers, what they consider to be reasonable rates based on prior experience and market prices.
The hourly rate of a lawyer can vary due to many factors:
- The experience of the lawyer
- The complexity of your case and the time spent on it
- How important the case is to you and your lawyer
- The nature of the legal services (criminal, legal, car accident, etc.)
- The outcome of the case
- The expenses associated with the case
The costs of a legal proceeding can be difficult to understand, especially when there are additional court costs. The client and his or her lawyer must agree on who will be responsible for the court costs. If they cannot agree, a judge is called in to make that decision for them!
What are the most common forms of billing for lawyers?
The hourly rate model is becoming less and less popular because of its limitations. Alternative, more flexible models are beginning to emerge in many Quebec law firms! With new websites offering lawyer quotes and fee alternatives, legal specialists are now obliged to adapt and offer more appealing solutions to their clients.
The hourly rate
A well-known form of billing, the hourly rate is a rate of pay set before the beginning of your case. It is still the most common type of billing where the total payment depends on the number of hours spent on the case.
A lawyer’s hourly rate includes the number of hours invested in research, writing, correspondence and the time allocated to telephone conversations and appointments.
The flat rate
As its name indicates, the flat rate is a fixed price, which includes the handling of the case from the moment a decision is contested until the final court judgment. Be sure to ask your lawyer if certain additional costs are included or not: photocopying costs, travel expenses, expert fees, etc.
This type of billing is risky for both the client and the lawyer:
- The remuneration can be advantageous for the lawyer if the case is settled quickly.
- Compared to an hourly rate, this remuneration is disadvantageous for the lawyer if the case takes longer than expected.
The percentage rate
When this billing method is selected, your legal advisor is paid according to a percentage of the amount that will be obtained at the end of the proceeding. This type of billing ensures that justice is accessible to all, regardless of economic background. This is especially important for victims of work-related accidents who become unfit to practice their profession and are entitled to receive compensation.
Generally ranging from 10% to 40% of the amount received at the end of the case, the percentage rate depends on:
– The amount of money that can be won
– The chances of success in court
– The nature and complexity of the case
Contact our firm in Montreal to find out the cost of a lawyer in Quebec
Bégin Avocats is a law firm located in Montreal that specializes in helping SAAQ road accident victims and CNESST health and security at work victims. We also intervene before the Tribunal administratif du travail or the Tribunal administratif du Québec to defend IVAC criminal offence victims.
If you’re in need of an administrative lawyer or would like to know more about their fees, contact us now. Our firm’s team of skilled and dedicated lawyers will fight for you and ensure that your rights are respected.
