Lawyer Fees in Germany

The fees for German lawyers are regulated by a special law, but for international clients, simplified pricing is offered. It can be calculated in two ways: by my work or by your risk. In both cases they are a certain percentage of the claim with some side-rules. Regardless of the chosen model, there are additional risks such as reimbursing opponent’s lawyer fees and pre-paying court fees.

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Lawyer Fees Do not Have to Be Complicated

The fees of German lawyers have an extra law called Rechts­anwalts­vergütungs­gesetz (dont try to pronounce it, just say „RVG”) and a thick law-book to read erverything about them. Also, there are websites that can calculate the exact fee on the cent. The fees merely depend on the amount in dispute and a bit on the typical lawyer’s efford depending on how the case envolves.
However, we are not obliged to settle our fees on this law, so I can lay it aside and keep it very simple. Not valid for people living in Germany.

My Fees: Two Situations

Having had to deal too much with Americans wanting to sue German companies for millions, I decided it’s better to clarify straight ahead how much is worthwile at all. That’s why my fees consist of

1. a culsultation fee
2. a working fee.

All prices gross including 19% VAT.

The Consultation Fee

The costs for a consultation - if and what amount your claim is worthwhile and how much you have to deposit at the court (see below) - is 210 €.

Working Fee: Two Ways of Calculation

As an internationally acting law-firm, I experienced very different approaches how to pay a lawyer. Keeping that in mind I offer two ways of calculation to my international clients, one of which you have to choose beforehand:

1. payment by your risk
2. payment by my work

Payment by Your Risk

If you want to pay me by the risk,

• I take 24% of the amount you claim, to be post-payed only in case we win,
• if we loose, I get nothing.

Payment by My Work

If you want to pay me by my work, the fees have to be pre-paid and arise regardless of if we win or loose. In this model,

• per court-instance I take 6% of the amount you claim, but a minimum of 6.000 €,
• if your claim is below 50.000 €, the minimum is only 600 € but the percentage is 12%.
• In the payment for the first instance, a prior letter to the opponent is included - maybe we can make do without the court.

In Both Cases: Further Risks

Regardless of how we calculate with each other, in some case we have to calculate towards the opponent.

• Keep in mind that if we loose, you are still obliged to reimburse the opponent’s lawyer fees, calculated according to that RVG-law mentioned above.
• Also court-fees arise which you have to pre-pay and will be reimbursed by the court if we win.
• Plaintiffs from outside the EU (yes, even from Britain) have to deposit the opponent’s lawyer-fees at the court in the beginning of the law-suit. To be reimbursed by the court if we win.

How to Contact Me

You may send me an email at any time. If you call me on the phone pls. remember that you may be in different time-zone from Berlin. Also see location and contact.

Also See My Video on YouTube

(actually it’s more or less the same content that you can read here)

Kontakt: