In keeping with her duty of disclosure, the firm sets out here how its fees are determined.
The relationship of trust between an attorney and their client relies in particular on complete transparency regarding the cost of their services.
Constance Boulanger's fees for any consultation, assistance, advice, drafting of private legal documents and advocacy are freely agreed with the client, in accordance with Article 10 of the French law n°71-1130 of 31 December 1971.
A written fee agreement is systematically entered into with the client, except in cases provided for under the regulations applicable to the legal profession, notably in cases of urgency, force majeure, or full legal aid. It sets out the amount or the method for determining fees covering the anticipated work, as well as expenses and disbursements involved.
Fees take into account the nature and complexity of the matter, the client's situation, the research and work required, any urgency involved, and the significance of the interests at stake.
Fees based exclusively on the outcome of judicial proceedings are prohibited; however, a supplementary success fee may be added to the remuneration for services rendered.
To allow the matter to be handled, one or more advance payments on fees may be requested during the course of the engagement. These advances are deducted from the final invoice.
Certain costs incurred for the purposes of the matter (bailiff's fees, expert fees, court registry fees, publication costs, travel expenses, etc.) may be billed in addition to fees. You will systematically be informed of these in advance.
If you hold legal expenses insurance, it is recommended that you mention this at the first meeting. Depending on the cover held, your insurer may take on some or all of the fees.
Subject to the statutory eligibility conditions, the firm may also act under the French legal aid scheme (aide juridictionnelle).
| Method | Principle |
|---|---|
| Fixed fee | An overall amount agreed in advance for a defined engagement. |
| Hourly rate | Billing based on time spent, at a rate communicated in advance. |
| Mixed | A combination of a fixed portion and a variable portion based on work carried out. |
| Retainer | A possible arrangement for ongoing legal support. |
Each fee agreement distinguishes between "costs" (opening a file, correspondence, copies, travel...) and "fees".
Individuals who meet the means-based eligibility criteria may apply for full or partial coverage of their legal costs using French form Cerfa n°16146.
Access form Cerfa 16146Please do not hesitate to reach out to the firm to discuss your situation. The firm is committed to providing clear billing, easy to understand and compliant with the profession's ethical rules.
