Legal Costs & Fees

HOW OUR LEGAL FEES ARE CALCULATED

Depending on the nature of your matter, we may charge:

The applicable basis of charging will be explained to you before we commence work, together with an estimate or range of costs where required.

FIXED FEES

Where we offer a fixed fee, the fee will apply to the scope of work specifically described in the relevant costs agreement or engagement document.

A fixed fee may not include work outside the agreed scope. If your instructions change or additional work becomes necessary, we will discuss the additional work and any additional costs with you before proceeding, where practicable.

TIME-BASED FEES

Where our fees are calculated by reference to time, we will explain the applicable hourly rates and how time is recorded.

Time may be charged for work such as reviewing and preparing documents, correspondence, telephone conferences, meetings, legal research, negotiations, advice and other work reasonably required to progress your matter.

We will provide estimates or ranges of likely costs where required and will update you if there is a substantial change to the disclosed costs.

DISBURSEMENTS AND OUTLAYS

Disbursements are expenses incurred in connection with your matter. Depending on the matter, these may include government or court filing fees, searches, registration fees, barrister fees, expert fees, process servers, courier charges, travel and other third-party expenses.

Disbursements are generally payable by you in addition to our professional fees. We will identify anticipated material disbursements where reasonably practicable and will seek your approval before incurring significant additional expenses where appropriate.

GST

Unless stated otherwise, our fees and estimates will identify whether GST is included or payable. Where GST applies, it will be charged in accordance with applicable law.

COSTS DISCLOSURE

Queensland law regulates legal costs disclosure and costs agreements. Where the applicable disclosure requirements apply, we will provide you with the required costs disclosure before, or as soon as practicable after, we are retained.

Depending on the likely legal costs of your matter, disclosure may be abbreviated or detailed. If the likely costs change substantially, we will provide updated disclosure as required.

You have rights in relation to legal costs, including rights to negotiate a costs agreement, receive a bill, request an itemised bill and, subject to applicable requirements and time limits, seek a costs assessment.

ESTIMATES ARE NOT GUARANTEES

Any estimate or range we provide is based on the information available to us at the time. The final cost may be higher or lower depending on matters such as the complexity of the matter, the amount of documentation, the conduct of other parties, changes in instructions, negotiations, urgency, unforeseen issues and whether litigation or other formal proceedings become necessary.

We will not knowingly allow a matter to materially exceed a disclosed estimate without discussing the position with you and providing updated disclosure where required.

INVOICES AND PAYMENT

We will issue invoices in accordance with the applicable costs agreement or engagement terms. Invoices may be issued at agreed stages, periodically, on completion of specified work or at other agreed intervals.

Payment terms and any applicable interest on overdue accounts will be set out in your costs agreement or costs disclosure.

If you have concerns about an invoice, please contact us promptly so that we can discuss your concerns.

YOUR RIGHTS

Depending on your matter and the applicable legislation, you may have rights to:

We encourage you to raise any questions about costs with us at any time.

IF YOUR MATTER BECOMES MORE COMPLEX

Legal matters can change as they progress. For example, a matter that initially involves advice or negotiation may later require litigation, a tribunal application, an expert report, counsel or additional evidence.

If this occurs, we will explain the change in scope, the likely cost implications and any further costs disclosure or costs agreement required before proceeding, where practicable.

CONDITIONAL OR 'NO WIN, NO FEE' MATTERS

We may, where legally permitted and appropriate, offer a conditional costs agreement. Such arrangements are subject to specific legal requirements and will be documented separately.

If a conditional costs agreement is proposed, we will explain what constitutes a successful outcome, the legal costs payable, any applicable uplift fee and the treatment of disbursements. You will also be informed of your right to seek independent legal advice before entering into the agreement.

COURT AND TRIBUNAL MATTERS

If your matter involves litigation or tribunal proceedings, there may be a risk that you will be ordered to pay some or all of another party's legal costs if you are unsuccessful. Conversely, even if you are successful, a costs order in your favour may not recover all of your legal costs.

Where required, we will provide estimates regarding the costs you may recover or may have to pay in connection with the proceeding.

QUESTIONS ABOUT COSTS

You are welcome to contact us at any stage if you have questions about our fees, an estimate, an invoice or the scope of work.

Our costs information is intended to complement, and not replace, the formal costs disclosure and costs agreement applicable to your matter.

Legal Disclaimer

Information on this website is general information only and is not legal advice. Using the website or contacting Goodlet Nelson Legal does not, of itself, create a solicitor-client relationship.