What are my likely legal fees?
No firm can say what the costs of a matter will be before it has taken place. This is because no lawyer can predict how the other parties may respond and how much work will be involved.
Our fees are based on the Supreme Court scale set by the judiciary in accordance with what the Judges consider is fair and reasonable. Even if asked to provide an estimate any lawyer would be professionally negligent in doing so. Charging on a percentage basis is illegal in Australia. We only charge you for the work we do on a ‘per item basis’. We refer the file at the end of a matter to an independent cost assessor. They review the file and carry out an assessment based on the Supreme Court scale, the client agreement and the actual work done. It’s the most fair and independent process available. Our pro forma client agreement can be viewed by following the “Areas of Practice” link on our homepage.
What is the likely outcome of my matter?
No lawyer, irrespective of their experience or knowledge, is able to tell you what the likely outcome will be from the outset. This is because the outcome will be based upon the expert reports that will be compiled as evidence in your matter and your individual circumstances.
At times other considerations can have a significant impact on the outcome of your matter. Once all relevant expert reports have been obtained and information considered your solicitor will be able to recommend outcomes to you. However before such time, any indication as the final outcome of your matter is a mere stab in the dark.
What are limitation periods, and how do they affect me?
Different types of matters can have different limitation periods. If a limitation period is allowed to expire that matter will become ‘statute barred’ – meaning the matter can not proceed.
Time limits under legislation are complex and can be fatal if not complied with. It is best not to delay. Protect your rights and contact us to receive free legal advice.
Delays can jeopardise a matters prospects of success. Additionally, evidence is harder to gather after the fact.
We are limited by law to fully explain the time limits associated with the area of law that KM Splatt & Associates specialises in on this page.* However, full details are available elsewhere on this site.
What is the Queensland Law Society?
Queensland Law Society assists legal practitioners to continually improve their services, while monitoring their practices to ensure they meet the high standards set for the profession in Queensland. They also assist the public by advising government on improvements to laws affecting Queenslanders, and working to improve their access to the law.
Click here for more information about the Queensland Law Society.
What is an accredited specialist?
In addition to having extensive experience, accredited specialists are solicitors who have satisfactorily completed an advanced study program in a particular area of law.* Only Queensland Law Society Accredited Specialists can use the Specialist Accreditation logo.
Click here for more information about Queensland Law Society Specialist Accreditation.
What is the Legal Services Commission?
The Legal Services Commission (LSC) receives and deals with complaints about lawyers. They also investigate suspect lawyers and initiate disciplinary action as appropriate. Furthermore, they audit legal practices to help them develop and maintain ethical workplace cultures.
Their fundamental purpose is to protect the rights of legal consumers and promote high standards of conduct in the delivery of legal services.
Why use a Barrister?
Barristers are engaged on a subcontract basis. They provide an objective independent review as to evidence and the likely outcome at trial.
If we brief a barrister there is no duplication of work – it is simply that we have subcontracted that type of work to the Barrister.
We use only the most experienced and respected barristers. Our success rate is due in no small part to the high quality of Counsel we retain.
What are Contingency fees?
We do not charge contingency fees. Contingency fees are an American concept and illegal in Australia. A contingency fee is simply taking a percentage of a matter irrespective the amount of work that is done. Therefore this is regarded as unscrupulous. We do not charge on a percentage basis. We charge on a conditional fee basis; i.e. only for the work performed and only when the matter is successfully concluded. Our pro forma client agreement can be viewed by following the “Areas of Practice” link on our homepage.
* The law in Queensland restricts what we are allowed to tell people about the services we provide. Find out more about what we do by following ‘Areas of Practice’ the link on the homepage.
