Fees
You should know what legal services are to be provided and on what basis the fees will be calculated.
· Cost Transparency
This offer applies exclusively to employment law, not to family law.
During a brief phone call, you’ll outline the key details and receive a brief initial assessment. This assessment is provided without reviewing any documents and does not replace a full legal consultation.
Call +49 30 890 64 40During the initial consultation, we’ll assess the legal context of your case, review the relevant documents, and discuss possible next steps. The consultation takes place in person at our office in Berlin or nationwide via phone or video conference.
€226.10 including 19% VAT190 € net plus 36.10 € sales tax.
Particularly brief initial consultations may be less expensive.
If you subsequently retain us for the same matter, we will apply the consultation fee toward the total fee, unless otherwise agreed.
The Ongoing Retainer
Following the initial consultation, further consultation, out-of-court negotiations, or representation in court may be necessary. For these services, we will discuss with you whether billing will be based on statutory fees or on a fee agreement.
Fee Agreement
For some of our clients, we enter into an individual fee agreement. This agreement specifies the services we will provide and how the fees will be calculated.
If an hourly fee is agreed upon, the compensation is based on the time spent. We track and bill time down to the minute: A seven-minute phone call is recorded and billed as exactly seven minutes. We discuss the hourly rate and the estimated time required in advance; time sheets document the work performed.
We set forth a fee agreement for further legal services in writing. It may differ from the statutory fees. Reimbursement of costs by the opposing party or other involved parties generally covers no more than the statutory compensation.
Statutory Fees
When billing under the German Lawyers’ Fees Act (RVG), fees are generally based on the value of the matter or the amount in dispute and the applicable statutory fee rates.
The fees incurred also depend on the services we provide for you—such as out-of-court representation or litigation.
Upon request, we will explain the estimated range of costs to you before you retain our services. Court costs and any costs incurred by other parties involved are to be distinguished from our legal fees.
Legal Protection, Legal Aid, and Reimbursement
Depending on the terms of the policy, legal protection insurance may cover lawyer’s fees and litigation costs. Whether coverage applies and what documents are required will be clarified on a case- by-case basis. As a rule, our firm will handle communication with the legal protection insurer on your behalf.
If you have limited financial means, you may be eligible for legal aid for court proceedings or—in family law matters—for procedural costs. In addition to financial eligibility requirements, the likelihood of success is examined in particular. We will determine on a case-by-case basis whether this assistance is available for your case.
In employment law, each party generally bears its own lawyer’s fees in first-instance proceedings—regardless of the outcome. In higher courts, the losing party may be required to reimburse these costs.
In family law, reimbursement of costs depends on the type of proceeding and the court’s decision on costs. In a divorce, each party generally bears its own lawyer’s fees; court costs are split. In other proceedings, such as those involving child support, the court may determine the allocation of costs differently.
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