Qld Law Society
Qld Courts Website
Register of Approved Costs Assessors
http://www.courts.qld.gov.au/RightHandLinks/RegisterApprovedCostAssessors.pdf
FAQs
What is Independent Certification?
Independent Certification provides your client with the guarantee that the legal work that you have performed on their behalf is reviewed by someone who is not employed by your firm. We issue a certificate which particularises the legal work performed and the fees which you are entitled to charge for this legal work.
Why do solicitors engage us to assess their legal costs?
This ensures that you charge your client an appropriate amount for the legal work performed. Your work is reviewed objectively by us and we determine what is appropriate for the legal work performed.
What do we do?
In determining an appropriate amount for legal fees for a client’s matter, we review the actual files maintained. We review each letter, file note, and document held on your file and then decide how much (if anything) to allow for each item of work.
We will only allow an amount that we think is appropriate having regard to the work performed.
How are costs calculated?
There are several ways in which a legal practitioner can charge costs, for example:
- In accordance with a scale of costs set by legislation; or
- In accordance with a scale of costs or hourly charges set by the legal practitioner or Agreement; or
- By a fixed fee in appropriate matters