Fees
Fees are assessed with the prior agreement of our clients, based on the following general conditions of charges :
EXTRACT OF THE LAW OF 10th JULY 1991 (Free translation)
"Prices for acting on behalf of clients and introducing legal proceedings are regulated by the provisions governing civil proceedings.
Fees for consultation, assistance, advice, drafting private deeds, and pleading in court are set in agreement with the client.
In the absence of an agreement between the lawyer and the client, the fees are set in accordance with usual practice, taking into account the financial situation of the client, the complexity of the case, the costs incurred by the lawyer, his or her reputation and the urgency of the matter.
It is forbidden for fees to be set solely on the basis of the results of the case.
It is allowed, in addition to a payment for the provision of the service, to agree supplementary fees that are calculated on the basis of the results obtained or the services rendered."
1. HOURLY RATE
Fees at the Cipre Law Offices for legal and judicial services (with the exception of special services for which separate rates apply) are determined on a "time spent" basis, invoiced by the hour at a rate agreed with the client.
2. INVOICING
Services rendered by Cabinet Cipre are invoiced as follows :
for each case, an initial retainer is payable, calculated on the basis of the complexity of the affair and its likely development. Thereafter, monthly invoices are sent to the client, taking into account the advance on account already paid.
An additional lump sum payment will also be payable :
- if the case goes to appeal,
- if the dispute incurs other proceedings, both as plaintiff or defendant, before other separate jurisdictions,
- generally speaking, when the development of the case justifies it.
3. FEES AND COSTS OF REPRESENTATION, IN ADDITION TO THE FEES REFERRED TO IN THE ABOVE SECTIONS
For all representation before the Tribunal de Grande Instance [District Court] of Nice, Cabinet Cipre Law will apply the legal fee schedule defined by law n° 71-1130 of 31st December 1971, decree n° 60-323 of 2nd April 1960 and, more generally, the provisions of the law of 10th July 1991.
For all representation before the Tribunaux de Grande Instance [District Courts] of jurisdictions other than Nice, the costs and disbursements of representation will be invoiced directly to the client by the representative chosen by Cabinet Cipre in agreement with the client.
4. FEES LINKED TO RESULTS, IN AGREEMENT WITH THE CLIENT
After a case, or when a file is closed at the end of a mission, additional fees may be invoiced to the client that take into account results obtained (whether it be a gain for the client, or a loss which has been avoided for him).
These fees are calculated, in agreement with the client, according to a percentage that complies with usual practice in the profession, by brackets, calculated on the basis of the sum of money concerned.
5. EXCLUSIONS
Cabinet Cipre's fees do not include :
- disbursements and legal costs, which are invoiced separately,
- costs of bailiffs and process servers, expert's fees, fees of pleading lawyers at the Appeal Court, lawyer's fees at the Conseil d'Etat and the Cour de Cassation [Council of State and Supreme Court].
- fees of representative lawyers in other jurisdictions,
- fees of representative lawyers in foreign jurisdictions,
- procedural costs and legal announcements in cases of real estate seizures and division
- translation costs.
Cabinet Cipre may not be held liable for the consequences, in case of late payment by the client of any sums that are due.
6. DISPUTES
Any disputes arising over the fees or disbursements of the Cipre Law Offices will be settled in compliance with the provisions of section 174, 175 et seq of the decree n° 91-1197 of 27th November 1991.
