Our fees are benchmarked against the UNBR Guideline of minimum recommended fees, used as a professional reference and for transparency. The UNBR Council updated the Guideline values by +10.33% on 12 June 2025 (CPI for May 2023–April 2025). The Guideline is explicitly recommendatory (not mandatory) and is published in full with annexes. In practice, fees are freely agreed between lawyer and client in line with the legal framework (Law no. 51/1995 and the Statute of the legal profession).
1) Principles: predictability, proportionality, legality
- Predictability: before any work begins, we agree in writing the fee model (hourly/fixed/success/hybrid), scope, any caps, and the payment schedule. The legal assistance contract is concluded in writing and fee clauses are agreed before assistance/representation starts.
- Proportionality: fees reflect (among others) complexity, scope and duration, effective time and workload, the value at stake, urgency, and the experience/specialisation required.
- Legality & ethics: permitted fee forms include hourly, fixed (flat), complementary success fee (strictly as a complement), or combinations of these. Quota litis (a fee set exclusively as a percentage of the outcome) is prohibited. In criminal matters, a success fee is allowed only for the civil limb of the case.
- Transparency & remedy: fee complaints may be reviewed at the client’s request by the Dean of the Bar under the Statute’s procedure. The legal assistance contract constitutes an enforceable title under Law no. 51/1995.
2) Fee models we use
Hourly fee
A fixed amount per hour of professional services. Suitable when workload cannot be predicted reliably (complex investigations, evolving litigation, ongoing advisory).
Fixed (flat) fee
A fixed amount for a clearly defined service or package (for example: drafting a claim plus advocacy at first instance, for a defined number of hearings).
Hybrid (fixed + hourly)
Common when case evolution is hard to predict: a fixed amount for foreseeable stages plus an hourly component for extra work (incidental motions, new evidence, unplanned hearings), optionally with a cap.
Complementary success fee (only as a complement)
A success fee may be agreed only in addition to an hourly or fixed fee; it may be a fixed amount or variable amount tied to an objective outcome (for example: claim admitted, licence granted, favourable civil ruling). In criminal matters, success fees may target only the civil limb.
3) Using the UNBR Guideline
We use the UNBR Guideline as a reference floor and transparency tool. Actual fees are freely negotiated based on the mandate’s specifics and complexity; the Guideline does not set mandatory tariffs.
4) Objective factors considered in setting fees
We apply the Statute’s criteria, including:
- time and workload
- novelty/technical difficulty
- value or economic stake
- urgency/time constraints
- number of parties and evidence complexity
- experience, reputation, specialisation
- required co-work with experts
- advantages/results obtained
- the client’s financial situation
5) What fees include—and what they don’t
Included: professional services stated in the contract (for example: analysis, advisory, drafting, attending specified hearings, correspondence). Reporting format (activity summary, time log) is agreed at the outset.
Not included (as a rule): out-of-pocket client disbursements (court stamp duties, expert fees, sworn translations, notarisation, registry fees, bailiffs, travel, etc.). These are separate and borne by the client under the law; the firm may request retainers for expenses and advances.
6) Practical calculation & invoicing
- Hourly: we can agree a monthly cap or an estimated range (example: 15–25 h/month).
- Fixed per stage: for clearly delimited stages (consultation, strategy, drafting, first instance), we agree fixed amounts; unforeseen extra work triggers the hourly component under the hybrid model.
- Hybrid: typically a fixed amount for predictable services plus an hourly component for additions (optionally capped), with a carefully defined complementary success fee where appropriate and lawful.
- Retainers: for continuous advisory, a monthly flat fee covering a package of hours/services; extra hours are billed at the agreed hourly rate.
- VAT & adjustments: payment is made against pro forma/invoice; if the practising form is VAT-registered, VAT applies under current tax law (as mirrored in the contract). For complex/long mandates, clauses may provide annual indexation (for example by CPI), consistent with periodic UNBR Guideline updates.
7) Illustrative “hybrid” calculations (illustrative only)
The figures below are illustrative arithmetic only and do not bind the firm. Final fees are negotiated case-by-case.
Example 1 — Administrative litigation (PUZ/permit)
Fixed (Stage I): 8,000 lei; Fixed (Stage II): 18,000 lei; Hourly extra: 900 lei/hour, cap 10 h (max 9,000 lei); Complementary success: 12,000 lei if final ruling is favourable. Totals: 26,000 lei base; with 6 extra hours: 31,400 lei; with success: 43,400 lei.
Example 2 — Civil claim (debt recovery)
Fixed: 12,000 lei; Hourly: 750 lei/hour, cap 12 h (max 9,000 lei); Complementary success: 8,500 lei if a final enforceable title covers the full claim. Range: 12,000–29,500 lei depending on hours and whether the success fee triggers.
Example 3 — Criminal defence
Fixed (investigation stage): 10,000 lei; Hourly extra: 800 lei/hour, cap 8 h (max 6,400 lei); Success: not for the criminal limb, only for the civil limb (example: 6,000 lei if the final ruling orders restitution/rejects the civil action).
Example 4 — Ongoing advisory (monthly retainer)
Monthly flat: covers up to 10 h advisory; Hourly extra: 900 lei/hour; Adjustment clause: annual review by CPI (contractual).
8) What we do not do
We do not accept or propose quota-litis arrangements (pure outcome percentages) and we do not propose fee structures implying participation in the business or the subject of the dispute. Where appropriate, a success fee is complementary and defined by objective indicators, within legal limits.
9) Process: standard pre-engagement steps
- Initial meeting & conflict check: clarify objectives, screen conflicts, outline preliminary strategy.
- Assessment & written proposal: we provide a written proposal with fee model, scope, disbursements, deliverables, and assumptions.
- Legal assistance contract: contract is concluded in writing (scope, fee/disbursement clauses, confidentiality, termination). The contract is registered and, by law, is an enforceable title.
- Advance/retainer: for resource-heavy or expense-intensive matters, an advance and an expenses retainer may be requested (later reconciled).
- Reporting: during the mandate we provide status updates and, for hourly/hybrid work, time logs for verifiability.
10) FAQs
Why aren’t fees identical to the UNBR Guideline values?
Because the Guideline is recommendatory. It provides a reference floor; actual fees are freely agreed based on each case’s specifics.
Can we agree on a “success-only” fee?
No. The Statute forbids quota litis. Any success fee must be complementary to an hourly or fixed fee.
In criminal cases, can a success fee apply if the defendant is acquitted?
Not for the criminal limb. A success fee is allowed only in relation to the civil limb.
If we have a fee dispute, what’s the path?
The Statute provides a review/conciliation procedure before the Bar Dean, with a motivated decision and further appeal to the Bar Council.
Are disbursements included in the fee?
As a rule, no. They are separate client disbursements (stamp duty, experts, bailiff, etc.); the firm may request retainers/advances for them.
References for verification
- UNBR Council Decision no. 230/12 June 2025 (Guideline update by +10.33% and recommendatory nature): UNBR
- Statute of the legal profession (UNBR), arts. 127–132 (fee criteria and forms; complementary success fee; ban on quota litis; criminal cases—civil limb only; fee complaints): UNBR
- Law no. 51/1995 (legal assistance contract as enforceable title; right to fee and recovery of expenses): Portal Legislativ
Contact
Phone/WhatsApp: +40 756 248 777 | Email: alexandru@maglas.ro
Disclaimer: The information on this page is general and does not constitute legal advice. Each mandate requires individual analysis based on the documents and the legislation in force at the relevant time.