How can I check if the lawyer's fees have been calculated correctly?
November 17, 2022 | 50,00 EUR | answered by Ralf Schröter
Dear lawyer,
I am Fred Huber and I recently used the services of a lawyer. Now I have received the bill and I am not sure if the lawyer's fees were calculated correctly. Since I am not familiar with fee law, I am concerned that I may have paid too much.
The situation is as follows: I hired the lawyer to represent me in a legal dispute. A fee agreement was made based on the Lawyers' Remuneration Act (RVG). The lawyer's bill includes various items such as basic fee, appointment fee, and settlement fee. Since I have no experience with lawyer's fees, I do not know if these items were calculated correctly and if I may have overpaid.
My concerns are that as a layperson, I am not able to verify and understand the lawyer's fees on my own. I want to ensure that I am treated fairly and do not pay more than is reasonable. Therefore, I wonder how I can check if the lawyer's fees were calculated correctly and if there are possible solutions if they were not.
Can you please explain to me how I can verify the lawyer's fees and what steps I should take if I find discrepancies? I thank you in advance for your help and support.
Sincerely,
Fred Huber
Dear Mr. Huber,
Thank you for your inquiry regarding the lawyer's fees that were billed to you. It is understandable that as a layperson you may have difficulty understanding and reviewing the various items on the invoice. I would be happy to assist you in clarifying your questions.
First and foremost, it is important to know that lawyer's fees in Germany are regulated by law and primarily governed by the Lawyers' Remuneration Act (RVG). This law determines how fees for legal activities are calculated and what fee items exist, including the basic fee, the appointment fee, and the settlement fee.
To review the lawyer's fees, you should first carefully read the fee agreement that you have made with the lawyer. It should specify how the fee is calculated and which fee items have been agreed upon. Compare this agreement with the lawyer's invoice to see if the calculation is correct.
Furthermore, you can contact the Bar Association or the relevant Bar Council to request a review of the invoice. The Bar Association can assist you in resolving any discrepancies and may mediate in case of disagreements between you and the lawyer.
If you find that the lawyer's fees have indeed been incorrectly calculated, you have the option to file a complaint with the lawyer and request a correction of the invoice. If the lawyer does not address your concerns, you can contact the relevant mediation center or a court to assert your rights.
In conclusion, I would like to emphasize the importance of critically reviewing lawyer's fees to ensure that you are treated fairly and do not pay more than is reasonable. If you have any further questions or need assistance, I am happy to help.
Sincerely,
Ralf Schröter
