Calculation of fees
 

In accordance with the rules of the Brussels Bar, our firm offers different formulas for calculating fees, depending on various factors, including the complexity of the matter, the importance of the case, the nature of the duties to be performed, or the urgency of the case. The method of calculation is determined, with the client, from the beginning of the file.

a. Hourly rate

An hourly rate is announced to the client as soon as the file is opened.
The fees are then calculated on the basis of this hourly rate, multiplied by the number of hours worked

b. Flate-rate fee

In certain types of cases where all the tasks to be performed can be defined fairly precisely in advance, a flate-rate feemay be preferred to a calculation based on the hourly rate may be agreed with the client for processing the case.

c. Success fee

When the file presents an issue with economic benefits for the client, a success fee may be requested. It is calculated according to a sliding scale based on the size of the amounts received or saved by the client.

d. Cost flat rate

For any case, and whatever the method of calculating the fees retained, our firm applies a flat rate of 23% on the amount of these fees.
This flat rate is intended to cover the various costs associated with the processing and management of the file, namely telephone and photocopying costs, consultation of databases, travel expenses, correspondence expenses, as well as a share of fixed structural costs (premises, administrative staff, electricity, heating, stationery, etc.).

 

The amount of the fees

Our firm tries, from the beginning of the case, to make the most accurate estimate possible of the amount of the fees, so that the client has a clear idea of them.
In a number of cases, however, this amount cannot be determined precisely in advance, as it depends on various factors, including the duration of the judicial preparation, the difficulty of conducting negotiations, the number of acts to be carried out, or the filing by the opposing party of an appeal against a first decision obtained, etc.

 

Payment of fees

The payment of fees is spread over time.
Before any intervention, the code of ethics applicable to lawyers of the Brussels Bar leads to the request for a provision calculated according to the importance of the case, the scope of the services to be performed and the estimated range of fees.
During the processing of the file, interim statements are sent, requesting the payment of additional provisions according to the tasks performed and the services still to be performed.
At the time of closing the file, a final statement of fees is drawn up, from which the provisions previously paid will be deducted.

 

Repeatability of fees

Since the entry into force of the Act of 21 April 2007 on the repetibility of lawyers' fees and expenses, the party who wins the case at the end of the trial may be awarded compensation to compensate part of the fees paid for the services of a lawyer. This indemnity is borne by the losing party.
The amounts that may be recovered by way of the repeatability of fees are fixed on a flat-rate basis according to a scale fixed by Royal Decree, and depend on the value of the request giving rise to the legal action.