Fee Calculation : Governing Principles (LPAv 34)

Under article 34 of the relevant Geneva law covering the legal profession (LPAv),

"Unless they become the subbject of a decision by the Assessment Commission, fees are established by the lawyer himself, giving due consideration to the work carried out, the complexity and importance of the matter, the responsibility assumed by the lawyer, the final outcome and the client's circumstances and means.”

Article 14, which stipulates practices and customs of the Geneva Bar Association, specifies that :

" Fees must be proportional to the time expended, the importance and/or complexity of the matter, the outcome achieved and the means of the client.
A contingency or conditional fee agreement, which gives the lawyer a personal financial interest in the outcome of a case, is incompatible with the independence and professionalism of the lawyer and is thus prohibited.

Fees may not be shared with third parties. As a general rule, lawyers will refrain from charging fixed fees.

The request for payment on account is legitimate and encouraged. It has the advantage of making the client face his financial responsibilities "

The guidelines of the Geneva Bar Association in Geneva stipulate the scope of article 14 outlining practices and customs :

Payment on account: " Article 14 of practices and customs provides that the request for a payment on account is not only a legitimate one but is to be recommended. This recommendation must be considered standard practice. It is not only useful for the lawyer but also for the client who is faced with his financial responsibilities from the outset and thus can better plan and assess his obligations towards his agent. […]"

Supplements for especially urgent or difficult services : " Tasks of an especially urgent or difficult nature may justify the issuing of fees marked up by 100%. Difficult work includes, for example, work requiring specialised knowledge in a specific field or linguistic knowledge."

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