The Firm

The lawyer’s fee is the remuneration for the work requested and performed by the attorney. It covers legal consultations, court pleadings, representation before any tribunal or authority, legal advice, and the drafting of documents in the client’s best interest.

Attorney’s fees are separate from additional expenses (such as court costs, travel, or other disbursements) that may be charged to the client in connection with the case.

Fee Agreement

Lawyer’s fees are freely agreed upon between the attorney and the client, in accordance with the regulations applicable to the legal profession.

The amount of fees takes into account several factors, including:

• the lawyer’s qualification and reputation,
• the complexity of the case,
• any expenses incurred,
• the lawyer’s specific expertise in the relevant area of law,
• the time spent, and the urgency or importance of the matter.

Standard Rates

• The standard hourly rate applied by the firm is €200 excluding VAT.
• The initial consultation  is charged €190 including VAT.

Depending on the nature of the case, fees may be agreed:

• on a flat-rate basis,
• on an hourly basis,
• or, in the context of ongoing legal support, through monthly or annual retainers in certain areas of law.

In all cases, a written fee agreement is drawn up between the lawyer and the client, especially when a success fee (honoraire de résultat) is stipulated.

In addition to legal fees, expenses are billed based on actual use (telecommunications, photocopying, postage, travel, access to legal databases, etc.).

All fees and costs are subject to VAT, except where exempt under the French Tax Code or in relation to foreign clients subject to VAT in their own country.

Billing

The lawyer may request retainers (provisions) as the case progresses. At the end of the case, a final invoice is issued, including a detailed breakdown and deducting any retainers already paid.

Fee Disputes

Any disputes regarding lawyer’s fees are settled by the President of the Bar Association (Bâtonnier) of Draguignan.

Legal Aid (Aide Juridictionnelle)

Legal aid allows clients with limited financial resources to be represented by a lawyer whose fees are fully (total legal aid) or partially (partial legal aid) covered by the French State.

If a client wishes to benefit from legal aid, they must ensure when making an appointment that the lawyer accepts to act under this scheme.

Legal Protection Insurance

Legal protection insurance covers legal expenses to defend or assert one’s rights, both in and out of court. It may cover lawyers’ fees, court costs, bailiffs’ fees, and expert’s fees, within the limits of the insurance contract.

⚠️ Legal aid cannot be granted if the costs of the dispute are already covered by a legal protection insurance policy (subsidiarity principle).

This insurance may be included in different policies (home, car, health, or credit cards) or taken out separately.
👉 Under French law, the insured always has the free choice of lawyer. The insurance company cannot impose an attorney.

Fees (Frais)

The actual expenses incurred by the lawyer are re-invoiced at their real cost, plus VAT where applicable.
Travel expenses are billed according to the current fiscal mileage scale, plus VAT if applicable.
A flat administrative fee of €190 excluding VAT is charged for opening a case file.

Emoluments (Émoluments)

Emoluments are statutory fees owed to the lawyer for procedural representation (postulation) when legal representation by an attorney is mandatory, or when the lawyer has been expressly mandated to act on behalf of the client.
These amounts may be recovered from the opposing party in the event of success.

Disbursements (Débours)

Disbursements are sums advanced by the firm on behalf of the client (e.g. court registry fees, bailiff fees).
They are reimbursed by the client upon presentation of a detailed expense note.

Pleading Fee (Droit de plaidoirie)

A statutory pleading fee is due to lawyers for each court decision rendered, whether through oral pleadings or by filing written submissions before most French courts.
Currently set at €13, this fee is paid by the client to their lawyer.
It is then collected by the local Bar Association and transferred to the Caisse Nationale des Barreaux Français (French National Bar Fund).

All fees and expenses, regardless of how they are determined, are subject to requests for retainers (provisions), the payment of which is a condition precedent to the initiation of any work on behalf of the client. Additional periodic requests for payment may be issued depending on the progress of the case.

Invoices and requests for retainers are payable immediately, in full, and without discount upon receipt, unless a specific agreement has been made between the client and the lawyer.

As a general rule, the non-execution of a decision or an act, or the non-use of a consultation, can never justify the refusal to pay the lawyer’s full fees.

With the client’s authorization, the lawyer may deduct fees, disbursements, and costs directly from funds held in CARPA (the French Lawyers’ Trust Account) on behalf of the client. Retainers paid are applied first to taxable fees and disbursements, and then to the lawyer’s professional fees.

Payment of fees may be made by check, cash (against receipt), or bank transfer to the firm’s IBAN.