The Fee Agreement

The Act No. 2015-990 of August 6, 2015 for growth, activity and equal economic opportunities provides that the conclusion of a fee agreement between the lawyer and his/her client is compulsory.
The fee agreement must specify, in particular, the amount or the method of determining the fees covering foreseeable tasks and the various costs and disbursements envisaged.
According to Article 10 of the Act No. 71-1130 of December 31, 1971 on the reform of certain judicial and legal professions, the fees for representing, consulting, assisting, advising, drafting private deeds and pleading are set in agreement with the client.
According to Article 11.2 of the National Internal Regulation of the Legal Profession, the remuneration of the lawyer depends, inter alia, on each of the following elements in accordance with customary practice:
– the time spent on the case,
– the time spent on research,
– the nature and difficulty of the case,
– the importance of the interests involved,
– the impact of the costs and expenses of the Law firm to which he/she belongs,
– the lawyer’s reputation, qualifications, seniority, experience and specialization,
– the benefits and the result obtained for the benefit of the client by his/her work, as well as the service rendered to the client,
– the client’s financial situation.

Lawyers are prohibited from setting fees based solely on judicial results. However, they may obtain an additional fee depending on the result obtained or the service rendered in addition to the fees charged for the services performed.