In order for you to get a rough idea of the complexity of German legal fees, I have drawn up a few samples according to common legal problems. They consist of fictional case facts and only serve as an illustration. In fact, actual calculations are usually far more complex as individual cases cannot be pigeonholed. More or less, any calculation (apart from fee agreements) of German lawyers are based on the Lawyers' Fees Act and the list of fees (in German: Vergütungsverzeichnis, or short: VV) attached to it.
Criminal Defence
A client has been charged with assault and needs representation at a hearing date with the prosecution office. The lawyer prepares out-of-court letters to the prosecution and represents the client in court (2-hour meeting). Eventually, charges are dropped due to insufficient evidence.
Lawyer's fee note
The fee in this case amounts to a total of EUR 660.45 and is calculated as follows:
Base fee (according to no. 4100 of the list of fees): EUR 200.00
Procedural fee (no. 4104 of the list of fees): EUR 165.00
Hearing date fee (no. 4102 of the list of fees): EUR 170.00
One-off fee for communication (no. 7002 of the list of fees): EUR 20.00
19% VAT (no. 7008 of the list of fees): EUR 105.45
Landlord and Tenant
A landlord would like to file an eviction action as his tenant has not paid any rent for three months. Accordingly, the action is filed by the lawyer. The total rent per month is EUR 525.00. The outstanding rent amounts to EUR 1,575. The court delivers a judgment, granting eviction and payment of rent arrears.
Lawyer's fee note
The fee in this case amounts to a total of EUR 1,380.40 and is calculated as follows:
Procedural fee (no. 3100 of the list of fees): EUR 592.80
Hearing date fee (no. 3104 of the list of fees): EUR 547.20
One-off fee for communication (no. 7002 of the list of fees): EUR 20.00
19% VAT (no. 7008 of the list of fees): EUR 220.40
Inheritance Law
In an inheritance matter, a client would like to enforce his legal right to an estate. According to information given by the surviving spouse of the deceased, the client knows that the estate is worth EUR 20,000 in total. The matter can be settled out of court as the spouse pays the amount the client is entitled to.
Lawyer's fee note
The fee in this case amounts to a total of EUR 2,496.14 and is calculated as follows:
Business fee (according to no. 2300 of the list of fees): EUR 964.60
Settlement fee (no. 1000 of the list of fees): EUR 1113.00
One-off fee for communication (no. 7002 of the list of fees): EUR 20.00
19% VAT (no. 7008 of the list of fees): EUR 398.54
General Private Law
As regards a demand for payment, a client would like to enforce his claim for an amount of EUR 10,000. The debtor is unwilling to pay despite previous reminders sent out by the lawyer. Accordingly, the lawyer files a court action. After having summoned the parties to discuss the case, the court delivers a judgment.
Lawyer's fee note
The fee in this case amounts to a total of EUR 2,157.24 and is calculated as follows:
Business fee (according to no. 2300 of the list of fees): EUR 362.70
Procedural fee (no. 3100 of the list of fees): EUR 725.40
Hearing date fee (no. 3104 of the list of fees): EUR 669.60
One-off fee for communication (no. 7002 of the list of fees): EUR 40.00
19% VAT (no. 7008 of the list of fees): EUR 359.54