Fees and engagement
What it costs
Nothing is billed before it is agreed in writing. Every engagement begins with a letter setting out the scope, the basis of the fee and, for hourly work, an estimate of the total hours.
The first consultation
Thirty minutes, not charged, in chambers or by telephone. Bring whatever documents exist, however incomplete. Its purpose is for you to set out the matter and to establish three things: whether it requires an attorney, whether it requires this practice, and what it is likely to cost.
Where the matter belongs elsewhere — with the Rent Board, a licensed surveyor or another practice — that is said in the meeting. No invoice follows such a conversation and none ever has.
Fixed fees
Conveyancing, probate, incorporation and wills are fixed. The figure in the schedule below is the fee, and it does not move because the file turned out to be heavier than expected. Where a matter is outside the ordinary — a title with a break in the chain, an estate with beneficiaries abroad — it is identified at the consultation and quoted separately, rather than emerging halfway through the file.
Hourly work
Litigation, employment advice and commercial drafting are charged by the hour at the rate in the engagement letter, recorded in six-minute units. You receive a statement each month showing the work done and the time taken, whether or not payment is due.
Notice of an overrun is given before the work is undertaken. An invoice is not the appropriate place to learn that a file has grown.
Disbursements
Stamp duty, transfer tax, registration fees, court filing fees, search fees and commissioner's fees are payable in addition and are passed on at cost. They are itemised on every invoice at the amount in fact paid, with no administration charge added to them.
Full schedule
| Matter | Basis | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Sale and purchase conveyancing | Property | USD 1450.00 |
| Mortgage and security documents | Property | USD 780.00 |
| Subdivision and strata | Property | Hourly |
| Landlord and tenant | Property | Hourly |
| Grant of probate, uncontested | Private client | USD 1900.00 |
| Will | Private client | USD 280.00 |
| Power of attorney | Private client | USD 240.00 |
| Estate administration, disputed | Private client | Hourly |
| Company incorporation | Commercial | USD 620.00 |
| Shareholders and partnership agreements | Commercial | Hourly |
| Commercial contracts | Commercial | Hourly |
| Annual returns and company secretarial | Commercial | USD 340.00 |
| Employment advice, employer | Employment | Hourly |
| Redundancy and termination | Employment | Hourly |
| First consultation | Consultation | Hourly |