The written estimate
At the end of the first meeting you receive a note setting out the steps envisaged and the corresponding cost range. If the file turns out heavier, we tell you before incurring the additional cost.
Fees
Fees
A client who does not know what they are paying eventually stops calling. We prefer to give the figures at the outset, even if they give pause for thought.
Reference rates
| Service | Amount |
|---|---|
| First meeting (45 minutes) Payable on the spot. Nothing further is undertaken without your written agreement. | CHF 200.– |
| Hourly rate, associate Research, drafting, correspondence. | CHF 280.– |
| Hourly rate, partner Hearings, negotiations, complex files. | CHF 380.– |
| Review of an employment reference Fixed fee: reading, proposed wording and letter to the employer. | CHF 450.– |
| Formal notice with reasons Fixed fee: phone consultation, drafting and dispatch. | CHF 350.– |
| Complete divorce agreement Fixed fee: drafting, ancillary effects and filing with the court. | from CHF 2,400.– |
The retainer
For court proceedings we ask for a retainer, usually between CHF 2,000.– and CHF 5,000.–, credited against the final fees. Any balance is returned to you when the file is closed.
Legal expenses insurance
If you have a policy, bring it to the first meeting. We deal directly with the insurer to obtain cover confirmation, so that you do not have to act as go-between.
Legal aid
Where your means are insufficient and the case is not devoid of prospects, the state advances the costs. We prepare the application with you and tell you frankly whether it is likely to succeed.
Questions about billing
Is the first meeting really without obligation?
Yes. You pay for the 45 minutes, you leave with a clear answer and a written estimate, and you decide afterwards. A number of our meetings end with advice to do nothing at all.
Do you bill phone calls and emails?
Short exchanges on a running file are covered by our fees. Only calls lasting more than a quarter of an hour are recorded as time spent, and they appear on the itemised invoice.
Can I pay in instalments?
Yes, a payment plan can be agreed from the outset for files running over several months. It is better discussed at the first meeting than when the invoice arrives.
What happens if I win the case?
The losing party is in principle ordered to pay a costs award covering part of your legal fees. In practice it rarely covers the whole invoice, and it is never guaranteed.
Get in touch
Describe your situation in a few lines. We answer within 24 working hours and tell you frankly whether a step makes sense.