XI - Representation Fees

[Colt Daniels]

XI - Representation Fees

1. An attorney is entitled to a fee for his or her work according to a fee schedule for legal services.
2. If a client offers the attorney a fee higher than the one established in the fee schedule, and the attorney has not in any way encouraged such an offer, he or she is allowed to accept it, under the condition that it is not in evident disproportion to the rendered service, to the outcome of his or her service and the financial condition of the client.
3. An attorney shall have the right to ask for the payment of accrued expenses. If the client does not deposit the money for the coverage of such expenses, the attorney may refuse to continue representing the client.
4. An attorney shall have the right to receive a deposit for his or her fees.
5. An attorney who has not been paid his or her fees shall not have the right to refuse to return to the client his or her original documents when the representation is completed. An attorney shall, at the client's request and expense, make a copy of all the submissions he or she has written for the same client.
6. An agreement on the fee for rendering legal service shall only be made in accordance with the Law on the Legal Profession and the fee schedule.
7. It is permitted to make a discount from the fixed amounts in the fee schedule if approved by the Law Firm representing the client; these instances include but are not limited to, if the claim is uncollectable, or if the case is to be pro bono. It is advisable to make a discount if the client's financial conditions are difficult.
8. It is possible to make a contract on rendering legal assistance with a legal person or an individual performing some kind of business activity. A lump sum may be established in the contract regarding legal counseling services and it should correspond to the expected service. The fee for court representation and in other proceedings may not be substantially lower than the amount in the fee schedule. Such a contract must be filed for authentication through the San Andreas Judicial Branch.
9. An attorney shall inform the client about the approximate amount of the legal representation fee and also warn the client that the expenses he or she will be compensated for might be less than the attorney's fee.
10. An attorney shall allow the client to inspect of the fee schedule and, at his or her request, give a specified statement of costs.
11. An attorney intending to sue his or her client for the costs and the fee owed shall send a written reminder first.