How is the lawyer paid?

Determination of fees

Fees are freely fixed by the lawyer, in agreement with the client.

Indeed, the lawyer's fees are not regulated like those of the notary or those of commissioner of justice, except in the case of licitation (sale by auction of property in undivided), of security interests, sharing and foreclosure.

However, the setting of fees must respect ethical principles such as dignity and moderation.

Counsel must therefore take into account the following practices and elements in their tariff proposal:

• Customer's financial situation
• Nature and difficulty of the case
• Importance of research work
• Significance of the interests involved
• Notoriety (fame) of the lawyer
• Experience and specialization of the lawyer
• Importance of the result obtained for the client
• Costs incurred by the lawyer.

Billing Method

The lawyer can choose to set his remuneration based on the time spent on the case, applying a hourly rate multiply by the number of hours devoted to the case.

The lawyer may also choose to set his remuneration according to a flat rate which corresponds to a fixed amount covering the entire procedure. This pricing method is more often used for simple procedures.

The lawyer can sometimes benefit from a additional fee. This is mainly theprofit and loss fee which allows the lawyer to obtain a percentage or lump sum determined in advance based on the success of the case. This additional remuneration must remain reasonable.

Except in an emergency (situation requiring immediate intervention by the lawyer) or force majeure, a fee agreement must be concluded. It must specify, in particular, the amount or method of calculating fees, taking into account foreseeable due diligence such as appointments, drafting of documents, legal research, procedural steps and hearings, as well as costs and disbursements considered.

The fee agreement must be drawn up in clear and precise terms.

You can find different models of convention on the website of the Paris Bar:

Payment of fees

The lawyer's fees can be paid in cash, by check, bank transfer, promissory note or credit card.

The lawyer may ask you to pay a provision (an advance) to be paid on its costs and fees. In the absence of payment, the lawyer may refuse to take care of your case.

Dispute of fees

Disputes concerning the amount of the lawyer's fees considered, for example, too high or unnecessary (due diligence without excessive, unnecessary or without procedural or strategic utility), are submitted to the batonnier of the order to which the lawyer belongs. This is the so-called ‘taxation of fees’.

This complaint must be made by registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt or delivery against receipt.

The President of the Bar must make his decision in a 4 months delay, after receiving your comments and those of the lawyer. You must provide the President of the Bar with all the documents (fee agreement, procedural documents, email exchanges, etc.) that justify your request. A copy of these elements must also be given to the lawyer.

The President of the Bar may decide to reduce the amount of fees charged by the lawyer or maintain.

The decision of the President is notified by registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt. It mentions the remedies and the time limits within which they must be exercised.

If the decision is unfavorable to you, you have the opportunity to appeal to the 1^er president of the court of appeal.

It shall be entered by registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt in the delay of 1 month from the notification of the decision of the president.

THElegal aid allows a person with modest incomes to benefit from a partial support costs of proceedings (lawyers' fees, court commissioners' fees, etc.) by the State. Depending on your financial resources, the state will pay for it 25% or 55% the total amount of legal aid.

So you have to pay in part your lawyer.

Determination of fees

If you have obtained partial legal aid, the lawyer's remuneration consists of 2 elements:

• A fixed share, paid directly by the State, according to a framed scale.

This share is subject to a principle of degressivity (reduction) where the same lawyer assists several persons in proceedings based on the same facts in criminal matters or in disputes based on the same facts and involving similar claims in other matters. This is the case, for example, of co-accused, of civil parties or applicants multiple in a collective case.

Since 1^er August 2025, this degressivity has evolved. It includes a gradual reduction in the amount paid by the State beyond the 2nd customer, which can be up to 90% lower from the 51st customer.

• A variable share corresponding to the additional fee freely negotiated.

This additional fee is not governed by a regulated tariff, unlike other professions (notary, commissioner of justice), except in the case of licitation (auction of a property in undivided) or foreclosure.

In determining the amount of the additional fees, the lawyer must nevertheless take into account the following elements:

• Complexity of the case (legal, technical or procedural)
• Due diligence (work performed, travel, hearings, etc.) and costs incurred
• The client's financial situation (income, expenses, assets).

Billing Method

The lawyer may choose to set his additional remuneration according to the time spent on the case, applying a hourly rate multiply by the number of hours devoted to the case.

The lawyer may also choose to set his supplementary remuneration according to a flat rate which corresponds to a fixed amount covering the entire procedure. This pricing method is more often used for simple procedures.

Fee agreement

Except in an emergency (situation requiring immediate intervention by the lawyer) or force majeure, you must enter into a written fee agreement which specifies, in particular, the amount and methods of payment of that additional fee, recalling the amount of the legal aid contribution.

The agreement must indicate the remedies you can exercise in case of dispute.

It must be communicated within 15 days of its signature to the President of the Bar who checks its regularity and the amount of the additional fee.

You will find a model supplementary fee agreement in case of partial legal aid:

Model supplementary fee agreement in case of partial legal aid

Payment of fees

If you are a recipient of legal aid, the legal professional (lawyer, court commissioner, notary, etc.) who accompanies you receives the amount of aid. That money is never paid directly to you.

Additional fees of the lawyer can be paid in cash, by check, by transfer, by promissory note or by credit card.

Dispute over additional fees

Disputes concerning the amount of the lawyer's fees considered, for example, too high or unnecessary (due diligence without excessive, unnecessary or without procedural or strategic utility), are submitted to the batonnier of the order to which the lawyer belongs. This is the so-called ‘taxation of fees’.

This complaint must be made by registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt or delivery against receipt.

The President of the Bar must make his decision in a 4 months delay, after receiving your comments and those of the lawyer. You must provide the President of the Bar with all the documents (fee agreement, procedural documents, email exchanges, etc.) that justify your request. A copy of these elements must also be given to the lawyer.

The President of the Bar may decide to reduce the amount of fees charged by the lawyer or maintain.

The decision of the President is notified by registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt. It mentions the remedies and the time limits within which they must be exercised.

If the decision is unfavorable to you, you have the opportunity to appeal to the 1^er president of the court of appeal.

It shall be entered by registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt in the delay of 1 month from the notification of the decision of the president.

If you benefit from thelegal aid In total, the state covers the fees of your lawyer and you don't pay anything.