We understand that you may be concerned about the expense surrounding legal matters. KM Splatt & Associates acknowledges that many people become financially distressed and may not be able to afford the up front costs.

We will agree to act on a ‘speculative’ basis after a careful assessment of the facts and circumstances of your matter. To act on a speculative basis means that we undertake not to render an account for our professional costs unless and until the matter is successfully concluded in your favour.

We will also fund the outlays associated with your matter. Such expenses include expert reports (that can amount to thousands of dollars). Many other law firms do not offer this service and often require clients to take out loans at exorbitant interest rates to pay for outlays. We do not believe the client who is already financially distressed should have to fund outlays. If the matter is not successfully concluded then we will not seek reimbursement of the outlays. Our belief is that clients must achieve a positive outcome after taking into account repayment of all costs and outlays.

We’re happy to offer you an obligation free legal consultation and explain how we can serve you best given your specific circumstances and our “No Win No Fee” Policy.

If a client elects not to proceed following an initial consultation no fee is charged for the service. Only if the client wishes to proceed with the matter and sign a client agreement are these costs charged and only at the successful conclusion of the matter. It is also important to note that sometimes these initial costs can be recovered from other parties.

Legal fees are charged to the client at the successful conclusion of a matter pursuant to the client agreement.  Our fees are based on a scale determined by Supreme Court and as such are considered fair and reasonable.

Our fees are not calculated purely on an hourly rate or based on a percentage (such as in America). These methods have been criticized by the judicatory as ineffective and unreasonable. In some circumstances a portion of your costs may be recoverable from other parties (called standard costs).

Our fees are professionally assessed by an independent cost assessor. When the matter is concluded we simply send our file to an independent cost assessor who goes through the file and carries out an ‘assessment’ of what costs have been incurred on a ‘per item basis’ based on the client agreement.

The cost assessor determines what is fair and reasonable. The cost assessor must be able to justify the fees to the Legal Services Commission (LSC) should the fees be reviewed. To date no justified complaint has been made against KM Splatt & Associates to the LSC.

It’s the most fair and independent process available. We have successfully acted for thousands of clients.

Sometimes clients are able to recover ‘standard costs’ from other parties. These are the costs of the solicitor dealing with the other parties in order to progress a matter. Depending on the matter there can be restrictions on whether you can recover ‘standard costs’.*

Even where recoverable ‘standard costs’ are only ever a contribution towards the client’s total costs and outlays – usually approximately half of the total professional costs and outlays.