What fees are charged for a lawyer appointment outside of regular business hours?
July 5, 2023 | 70,00 EUR | answered by Alwin Hohenwarter
Dear Lawyer,
My name is Lilli Ziegler and I am reaching out to you with a question regarding fee regulations. Last week, I scheduled an appointment with a lawyer outside of regular business hours because I did not have time during the day due to work. Now I am wondering what fees could apply in such a case.
The situation is as follows: I needed legal advice urgently, but could not find any free time during a lawyer's regular business hours. Therefore, I scheduled an appointment outside of those hours, which was the only way for me to receive professional help in a timely manner.
My concerns are that I fear I may have to pay higher fees for a consultation outside of regular business hours. As I am not in a particularly strong financial situation at the moment, it is important for me to know what costs to expect in this case.
Therefore, my question to you is: What fees apply for a lawyer appointment outside of regular business hours? Are there any legal regulations or guidelines that determine the amount of fees? Are there ways to bypass or reduce these costs?
Thank you in advance for your help and support with this matter.
Sincerely,
Lilli Ziegler
Dear Mrs. Ziegler,
Thank you for your inquiry regarding fee regulations for an attorney appointment outside of regular business hours. I understand your concerns about possible higher costs and will try to answer you as comprehensively as possible.
In general, lawyers bill their fees according to the Lawyers' Compensation Act (RVG). This law regulates the compensation of lawyers for their work in various legal matters. However, there is no specific regulation in the RVG regarding appointments outside of regular business hours that sets the fee amount.
In practice, it may be the case that lawyers charge an additional fee for appointments outside of regular business hours. This surcharge can vary in amount and often depends on the individual attorney. Therefore, it is advisable to ask about the additional costs when scheduling the appointment to avoid surprises.
There are also ways to avoid or reduce the costs for an appointment outside of regular business hours. Some lawyers, for example, offer free initial consultations where legal questions can be clarified. These consultations often take place outside of regular business hours and can be a good way to get an initial overview without having to pay high fees right away.
Another approach would be to look for alternative advisory services, such as counseling centers or online legal consultations. These can often be more cost-effective than a personal appointment with an attorney.
In conclusion, I recommend that you inform yourself in advance about the fee structure of your attorney and, if necessary, look for alternative advisory options. I hope that my response was helpful to you and I am available for any further questions.
Sincerely,
Alwin Hohenwarter, Attorney specializing in fee regulations
