Fees
We offer you high-quality services at a fair price. We also want you to know in advance what costs you can expect. We therefore want to make the price of our services transparent to you.
We generally charge EUR 180 (incl. VAT) for an initial consultation. If you book an appointment as a Zoom conference or by telephone, we ask you to pay in advance.
If further advice is required after the initial consultation or if you instruct us to act on your behalf vis-à-vis third parties, we charge our fees in accordance with the statutory fees or on an hourly basis. We will discuss the time and costs you can expect during the initial consultation.
We calculate our hourly rates to the minute at between EUR 220 and EUR 240 (plus VAT), depending on the area of law, difficulty of the work and liability risk.
The legally regulated fees for legal services based on the value in dispute are set out in the Lawyers’ Fees Act (RVG) . The following explanations will give you an overview.
Calculation of legal fees in accordance with the German Lawyers’ Fees Act (RVG):
- Civil and labor law
- Migration law
- Reimbursement of costs if the case is won
- Legal expenses insurance
- Counseling assistance
- Legal aid (PKH)
According to the RVG, the amount of legal fees and court costs is calculated according to the amount in dispute (amount in dispute). The table of fees under the German Lawyers’ Fees Act shows how high the lawyer’s fee is for which amount in dispute.
Depending on the type and scope of the lawyer’s work, different fees may apply and the amount of the fee rate may vary (0.5 to 2.5 times the fee).
A mandate can possibly consist of various legal matters relating to fees (e.g. disputes about dismissal, pay and references).
Since the fees based on the amount in dispute are flat rates, the number and length of the letters or how long the lawyer deals with the matter is not decisive. – It may therefore make sense for both parties to conclude a fee agreement on an hourly basis.
Regulations in detail:
1. civil law / labor law
The table of fees under the German Lawyers’ Fees Act shows how high the lawyer’s fee is for which amount in dispute.
The following fees may apply:
a. Extrajudicial activity:
- Business fee (0.5 to 2.5 times the fee according to the fee table)
- Settlement fee (1.5 times the fee according to the fee table) – if the dispute is settled as a result of the lawyer’s work.
b. Court proceedings (1st instance)
- Procedural fee (1.3 times the fee according to the fee table)
- Appointment fee (1.2 times the fee according to the fee table) – e.g. if the lawyer attends court hearings or negotiates the conclusion of a settlement with the other party
- Settlement fee (1-fold fee according to the fee table) – if a settlement is reached. Half of any business fee incurred is offset against the procedural fee (max. 0.75).
c. Ancillary costs:
- Flat rate for expenses usually 20,- EUR
- Travel expenses and absence allowance for appointments away from home
- Copying costs
- Value added tax
2. migration law
As a rule, we charge an hourly rate of EUR 220 plus VAT for immigration law advice based on the time required. In fixed matters (e.g. naturalization proceedings) we charge according to the flat fees of the Lawyers’ Fees Act.
In court proceedings, we are obliged to charge at least the statutory fees calculated according to the value in dispute determined by the court. We will be happy to inform you about this.
3. reimbursement of costs if the case is “won”:
If a lawsuit is successful, the opposing party must generally reimburse you for the costs in the amount of the fees in accordance with the German Lawyers’ Fees Act.
An exception applies, for example, in labor law proceedings, where everyone bears their own legal fees in the first instance.
4. legal expenses insurance
Legal expenses insurance can save you a lot of money. This is particularly true in labor court proceedings, as the winning party must also bear their own costs.
Legal expenses insurance will cover your legal costs if cover is granted.
Please note the following:
There are different types of insurance with different benefit catalogs. The subject matter of the dispute must be covered by the legal expenses insurance. There is often an excess that you have to pay yourself. The insurance must already have been in place at the time of the insured event and the premium must have been paid. If applicable, a waiting period (usually 3 months) must be observed.
Insurance only applies if a “violation of the law is alleged”, e.g. a warning or dismissal has been issued or compensation is claimed. Purely preventive advice or legal drafting (e.g. drafting an employment contract) are not generally insured.
In administrative law proceedings, legal protection is generally only provided from the court proceedings onwards (exception: civil service law). Migration law is often excluded in the insurance conditions. You can obtain further information from your insurance company.
If there is a possibility that the matter in dispute is covered by legal expenses insurance, we will ask the insurance company to provide us with a binding confirmation of cover. If you would like to know whether the insurance will cover you before an initial discussion, you should contact your insurance company yourself. If you receive a “claim number” from them, you are covered.
5. counseling assistance:
For people on very low incomes, there is the option of out-of-court advice assistance. The income limit is based on the ALG II standard rate. In court proceedings, only legal aid (PKH) can be granted, not advice assistance.
In order to be able to make use of legal aid, you need a certificate of eligibility before your consultation. You can obtain this from the legal application office at your local court. Please take proof of income, your tenancy agreement and documents showing the matter for which you require legal advice with you. If you receive social assistance or ALG II, the relevant notification is usually sufficient to obtain a certificate of entitlement.
With a certificate of eligibility, your own contribution is EUR 15. The lawyer will also receive a small fee from the state fund. Please note that you must apply for a certificate of eligibility in advance and bring or send us the original. Unfortunately, we cannot assist you in applying for legal aid.
6. legal aid (PKH):
People on low incomes have the option of legal aid (PKH) in court proceedings. If PKH is granted, you do not have to pay legal fees or court costs.
However, if you lose the case and your opponent is entitled to reimbursement of costs, these are not covered by legal aid. In addition, the state treasury can also check after the end of the proceedings whether your financial circumstances have changed and costs must be reimbursed retrospectively.
The basic prerequisite for the granting of PKH is that the court certifies that the intended proceedings have prospects of success and that you are below the income threshold. We will be happy to advise you as to whether PKH can be considered for your case.
