- This topic has 57 replies, 30 voices, and was last updated 1 year, 5 months ago by
.
-
Posts
-
-
UI met a advocate today. I explained him my case then he said give me the file and I will read it then let you know . I will charge for reading the case then I heard him saying 1k ,then I said ok .
I gave him the file and while leaving ,he asked me to send 5k now then 5k later . I told him you said 1k then the shock came – he actually told 10k to read the case and I heard him wrong . Both brain and body froze .
I told him that I am running with cash crunch and asked to return the file . He politely returned the file .
I have spoke with quite number of lawyers .Never heard someone charging for reading the case file.
Is this normal thing ?
-
ENot a lawyer
It seems unreasonable or you might have gone to a top lawyer or while discussing with him he got the clue that you are rich fellow and can shed out 10k just like that.
-
UYeah, even I felt so that he might be top lawyer . I have seen top lawyers ,but they don’t charge much . He asked me where I work and I told him . He calculated in his mind and wanted to take most of it .
-
-
S>I have seen top lawyers, but they don’t charge much.
Top lawyers in India charge 20 lakh per hearing/day. If you think this isn’t much, you must be Ambani.
-
-
-
-
AYes…Lucky you he returned the file without any payment, else he would have charged you 2,000 for the time spent. They charge for the time spent in discussion with you which seems logical BUT they do not say that upfront before the time of discussion.
-
-
UNo its not. Consultation charges is one thing but this is straightup BS. I’ve been in the field for almost 5 years now, even the SC advocates dont do this lol.
Lawyer here.
-
RSome do. It’s coming from arbitration. A lot of arbitrators charge reading fees. So now lawyers are starting to as well. It’s so stupid.
-
-
-
UI am a lawyer. This is such BS. No one charges for reading case papers. People only charge for consultation and advice.
-
-
-
UI get it . I am paying for the service . But , paying 10k do you think it’s worth it ? This is not property worth 1cr . I went for matrimonial case . Charging less than 5k ,it’s worth!
-
FYou can find an advocate that you can afford. I have worked with lawyers that charge 2000 and also that charge 25000 an hour. In fact I once met a lawyer in his office who had a stop watch and charged Rs 1000/- for every 5 mins. You asked question and he would respond. A minute before 5 mins are up he would ask whether I wanted to extend for another 5 mins.
This is true for doctors, engineers most other professions as well. You will find them offering services at different price points.
So long as the lawyer informed you about his fee upfront I don’t see how you can pass a judgment how much he/she should really charge.
Also it doesn’t matter about the value of the property or dispute matter. You are paying for the lawyer’s time.
-
UYour right . I think this lawyer would be 10th i have spoked so far . 9 lawyers just ask me for consultation charges .
I mean if it’s amish agarwal , I am ready to pay up even 20k that too per hour .
There is fixed fees and also no one knows which level of lawyer I am talking too .
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
IWhich city? I always pay whatever i want to my lawyer and he never asks for money. (1-2k)
It is great you asked for his fees in advance .
-
-
RSome lawyers do charge reading fees, but it’s typically for very large files (like a 10,000 page chargesheet or something). But it’s a terrible practice to be honest.
-
UYes. Mine is matrimonial. Same set of cases they go through everyday . 125, mc and gnwc . There is nothing to go through. All lawyers use the same draft .
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
UIt’s just like a plumber coming to check the issue from many online site bookings. Based on the issue charge separately.
**In the case you don’t know the stuff *.
But 10k is madness 🤯
-
-
-
ULawyer here:
There is no such rule.
Some Lawyers do, some don’t.
You can’t really make this an issue, and this is a person to person thing.-
UI didn’t report this is an issue . My own lawyer ditched me even after good amount of money. I just posted here to know the pov
-
-
-
-
SLawyer here.
All other comments here are incorrect.
Yes, almost all lawyers do charge for case/brief reading. This is standard practice. Nobody is going to spend a hours reading and understanding the complexities of someone’s case, for free, and then find out the client went with some other lawyer or decided to not proceed. The time and effort to study and research the case/brief is compensated prior to getting into all of it.
The quantum of charges may of course differ. Some may do it for 1k, some for 10k and some for 50k. You pick and choose based on your financial ability.
-
-
U+1 LAWYER HERE.
As a lawyer, the time and effort we invest in your case cannot be underestimated. When a client hands over a file, we don’t just skim through it: we spend hours reading, analyzing, and applying our expertise to ensure we’re providing the best possible advice and strategy. This is not just time; it’s an investment in your case, and that time needs to be compensated.
Let’s put it this way: imagine if a company hired you but only offered a fraction of the salary you were worth, saying, “We’ll pay you less because we don’t think your time and skills are worth more.” You wouldn’t accept that, right? You’d negotiate, look for other opportunities, and demand what you’re truly worth. So why should it be any different when it comes to lawyers? We spend valuable time on your file, offering our expertise and guidance, and that time deserves to be compensated fairly. Expecting quality legal work for a fraction of the price is simply unrealistic.
Quality service takes time, and time is worth what it costs. And what were you expecting for 1k?
-
-
-
-
SI think it’s a low fee. His full day or 2-3 might go in that task. He has to rely on degree and looking up material. U want for free? Use reddit or chatgpt
-
UNowadays , matrimonial cases are so common. I don’t think he even needs a day . He quoted the price based on what I do . Not for the case. I don’t want him to do it for free . But, 10k is way too much
-
-
-
-
KOP, Don’t trust lawyers. Half of them are not even well versed with the laws and various sections. Don’t pay more than 5K for consultation. Before lawyers, you should thoroughly know your case and your expected outcome of the case. Cos sometimes lawyers twist and tweak the case to keep their meter on. So be very vigilant while dealing with lawyers and indian judicial system. All the best!
Note:- Lawyers in this sub May downvote me, but it’s my duty to the spread the awareness about the reality of our Indian Judiciary.
-
-
IA nominal reading/opinion fee is a must-have tool for any advocate. It not only provides some remuneration when we are not given a case, but it also weeds out non-committal persons from wasting your time.
Prospective clients come to us, having been wronged. Now, they not only want justice, but they also want to talk about it. The same applies to reading the files, which is often a voluminous and laborious task that nevertheless needs to be done.
It’s one thing to dedicate time and focus to a client who is paying you properly. Oftentimes, even in those situations, I need to stop a client from ranting pointlessly and bring them to the point quickly.When it comes to discussing a case, often involving multiple years’ worth of documentation, only to then have them think my expertise is not needed, it’s not going to be in my best interest to allow people to occupy my time in such a manner without any payment. Not only are my skills being utilised without compensation, I could potentially lose another client who would be willing to hire me properly.
The number of people who waste an advocate’s time is surprisingly high. After a point, the apprehension people feel towards the courts/advocates/police diminishes, and they are simply looking to vent. My chamber is not the place to do so.
-
-
-
-
