MABEL LAW · WORKING TOGETHER

Understand the costs.
Agree with clarity.

Statutory fees under the RVG or an agreed fee, hourly billing or a fixed fee: we explain the billing options and discuss the right basis for your matter before you instruct us.

THE BASIS OF BILLING

A clear basis.
From the outset.

Drafting a contract, reviewing an agreement, pursuing a claim and defending against one each involve different work. Before you instruct us, we clarify which fee basis suits the specific engagement.

STATUTORY FEES

Fees under the RVG

The German Lawyers’ Remuneration Act (Rechtsanwaltsvergütungsgesetz, RVG) sets out statutory lawyers’ fees. It provides the basis for representation in and out of court unless a valid fee agreement provides otherwise.

The value and work involved determine the fees

In many civil matters, fees depend on the value of the matter or dispute and the legal work undertaken. The value reflects the financial interest at stake: for a monetary claim, this is generally the amount being claimed or disputed. Other matters have specific valuation rules. The value of the matter is therefore not the lawyer’s bill.

What work have you instructed us to do?

Representation outside court, court proceedings and helping to reach a settlement can give rise to different fees. Other fee types may apply depending on the area of law. Billing under the RVG therefore does not automatically mean hourly billing or a single fixed fee for the entire matter.

We explain the applicable calculation basis and the fees expected for the agreed engagement.

INDIVIDUALLY AGREED

Fee agreement

A fee agreement sets out individually agreed fees for a particular engagement. It may cover advice, contract work or support for a project. The scope of work, billing arrangements and how additional work is handled are agreed in advance.

Hourly fees · based on time spent

Fees are calculated from the time actually spent at the agreed hourly rate. We clarify which activities are included and how time is recorded and billed. This can suit ongoing advice, negotiations or projects whose full scope is not yet clear at the outset.

Fixed fees · for defined work

A fixed fee can be agreed for a clearly defined engagement, such as reviewing or drafting a particular contract. It is important to specify which documents, discussions and revisions are included. Additional services or changes to the engagement are discussed separately.

The agreement is documented clearly; German law generally requires text form. Statutory limits, particularly minimum fees for court work, must still be observed.

THE FIRST CONVERSATION

Understand the options.
Then decide.

Mabel Law’s initial assessment is free of charge, lasts around 15 minutes and takes place exclusively by telephone. We discuss your matter, possible support and the next steps.

Detailed advice, document review or representation goes beyond this initial assessment. We agree the scope and fees beforehand. For standalone advice, the RVG provides for a fee agreement; without one, statutory rules apply. Statutory fee caps may apply to consumers in this situation. These are not a general fixed price for every engagement.

Arrange an initial conversation

PLANNING OUR WORK TOGETHER

Scope, work
and billing.

Scope and budget
We clarify what the engagement includes and which additional steps require further agreement. A cost estimate is based on the facts known at the time and is not a fixed cap. A binding budget requires an express agreement on its scope, limits and any changes.
Expenses and VAT
Expenses and VAT may be payable in addition to legal fees. We take these into account when explaining costs and outline any further costs that can be anticipated.
Payments on account and invoices
A reasonable advance payment may be requested for fees and expenses already incurred or expected to arise. Advance payments are credited in the final billing. Payment dates and billing arrangements are agreed during the engagement.

THE FULL COST PICTURE

Additional costs.
An informed view.

Depending on the engagement, further costs may include court fees, witness and expert expenses, travel expenses, and separately commissioned reports or translations. A settlement, an appeal or enforcement proceedings may give rise to additional fees.

Anyone pursuing a claim in court or defending proceedings should also consider the other party’s potential costs. In civil proceedings, the unsuccessful party generally bears the necessary costs of the proceedings. Partial success, a settlement or specific procedural rules may lead to a different allocation.

Reimbursement generally covers no more than statutory fees and therefore does not automatically cover the full agreed fee. Whether a costs claim can actually be recovered is a separate issue.

LEGAL EXPENSES INSURANCE

Clarifying cover
for your case.

Whether legal expenses insurance pays depends on the insured area of life or business, the policy terms and confirmation of cover for the specific case. Waiting periods, exclusions and an excess may be relevant. Self-employed clients and companies also need appropriate cover for their business activities.

An agreed fee is not automatically covered in full. Confirmation of cover for one stage of proceedings does not necessarily cover an appeal. The client generally remains responsible for paying the legal fees, so a personal contribution or advance payment may still be required.

Have your insurer’s details, policy number and policy terms ready.
Provide any existing confirmation of cover and related correspondence.
We agree who will request confirmation of cover and whether this will involve a fee.

WHEN FINANCIAL RESOURCES ARE LIMITED

Legal assistance.
With financial support, too.

Beratungshilfe: assistance outside court

People with limited income and assets may qualify for Beratungshilfe, Germany’s legal assistance scheme for matters outside court. Other reasonable sources of help and existing insurance cover must be considered. A statutory personal contribution may apply and can be waived in individual cases. Hamburg and Bremen instead provide public legal advice services.

Prozesskostenhilfe and Verfahrenskostenhilfe

For bringing or defending claims, the court examines in particular the applicant's financial circumstances, sufficient prospects of success and whether the proceedings are unreasonable. In family matters, this assistance is often called Verfahrenskostenhilfe. It may cover court costs and the applicant's own legal representation where a lawyer is assigned.

Eligibility and remaining costs

This assistance generally does not cover the other party’s legal fees that you may be ordered to pay. Instalments and later reviews of your financial circumstances may be required. Approval does not automatically extend to other proceedings.

Please raise any need for financial assistance before chargeable work begins. Evidence of income, assets and expenses, together with documents relating to the matter, will generally be needed. Please provide any existing Beratungshilfe certificate or decision granting legal aid.

THE NEXT STEP

Let us start with
your matter.

A project, a decision or a dispute: briefly tell us what it concerns. We will clarify the next steps with you.

Get in touch Working together at a glance

Understand the costs.
Agree with clarity.

A clear basis.
From the outset.

Fees under the RVG

The value and work involved determine the fees

What work have you instructed us to do?

Fee agreement

Hourly fees · based on time spent

Fixed fees · for defined work

Understand the options.
Then decide.

Scope, work
and billing.

Scope and budget

Expenses and VAT

Payments on account and invoices

Additional costs.
An informed view.

Clarifying cover
for your case.

Legal assistance.
With financial support, too.

Beratungshilfe: assistance outside court

Prozesskostenhilfe and Verfahrenskostenhilfe

Eligibility and remaining costs

Let us start with
your matter.

A conversation
is a beginning.

Preserving experience.
Connecting prospects.

Your direct
contact.

Guidance.
And clear boundaries.

Information and advice

Time-sensitive matters

Easy to access.

Your privacy.

What are you looking for?

Understand the costs.Agree with clarity.

A clear basis.From the outset.

Fees under the RVG

The value and work involved determine the fees

What work have you instructed us to do?

Fee agreement

Hourly fees · based on time spent

Fixed fees · for defined work

Understand the options.Then decide.

Scope, workand billing.

Scope and budget

Expenses and VAT

Payments on account and invoices

Additional costs.An informed view.

Clarifying coverfor your case.

Legal assistance.With financial support, too.

Beratungshilfe: assistance outside court

Prozesskostenhilfe and Verfahrenskostenhilfe

Eligibility and remaining costs

Let us start withyour matter.

Understand the costs.
Agree with clarity.

A clear basis.
From the outset.

Understand the options.
Then decide.

Scope, work
and billing.

Additional costs.
An informed view.

Clarifying cover
for your case.

Legal assistance.
With financial support, too.

Let us start with
your matter.