Costs agreement
A document setting out how legal costs will be calculated and billed, together with relevant terms. Read it with the proposed scope and ask what expenses or later stages are not included.
Understanding legal fees →Decision library / Terms
Useful words for comparing Law Firms
Short definitions can help you ask a clearer question. They cannot determine how a legal rule or process applies to your circumstances.
Disbursement
An amount paid or payable to another person or organisation as part of legal work, such as a filing fee, search, expert report or counsel fee. Ask whether estimates include GST and disbursements.
Understanding legal fees →Conflict check
A check a law firm performs before accepting work to identify relationships or duties that may prevent it from acting. Provide the requested names, but confirm a secure channel before sharing detailed documents.
First-consultation questions →Engagement
The formal arrangement under which a law firm agrees to perform specified work. An enquiry or appointment request does not by itself mean a firm has accepted responsibility.
Define the first piece of work →Scope of work
The work a law firm has agreed to perform, including its limits, assumptions and exclusions. Compare firms against the same proposed first task rather than a broad area-of-law label.
Define the first piece of work →Jurisdiction
The authority of a court, tribunal or legal system to deal with a matter. An office address does not decide which state, territory or federal law and forum apply.
Australian court systems →Retainer
A term commonly used for the agreement and responsibilities between a client and legal practitioner. Ask when it begins, what it covers and how either party can end it.
Language of engagement →Counsel
A barrister engaged to provide specialist advice or advocacy in some matters. Confirm who instructs counsel, what counsel will do and how those costs are approved.
Who does what →Solicitor
A lawyer who may advise, prepare documents, negotiate and conduct matters, depending on authority and experience. An area-of-law label does not establish specialist accreditation.
Who does what →Legal professional privilege
A legal protection that may apply to certain confidential communications made for legal advice or litigation. Do not assume a public form or an unaccepted enquiry is privileged.
Preparing documents →Limitation period
A time limit that may affect whether a claim or proceeding can be started. The correct period can depend on the facts and law; never calculate it from a lawyer search page.
Questions for a first consultation →Specialist accreditation
Formal recognition offered under particular schemes and jurisdictions. An area-of-law label or law firm name is not evidence that a lawyer holds it.
Editorial standards →