	SUNSHINE COAST	\|	NORTH BRISBANE
mail@stolaw.com.au	07 5413 8900		07 3482 0500

Home > About > Fee Policy

Fee Policy

We might offer the depth of knowledge only usually found in metropolitan cities, but we don't charge the big city prices. Quite simply, we don't need to. We don't pay the big city rents and trimmings so our savings are passed on to you.

Most firms, and especially those in the CBD don’t limit their fees to those found in the Court Scales which the Government sets. We only set our fees according to the High Court Scale of Fees for litigation matters. Our philosophy is that we are a highly trained community based firm, here to help Coast families and we offer a low cost alternative to the CBD based firms who charge significantly higher fees.

Finally, we take the time to fully understand your circumstances and identify the full scope of work that will be involved in gaining the best possible outcome. We can then provide you with an estimate of total costs. We ensure that you are aware of costs and your rights from the outset so as to help eliminate any nasty surprises.

Our fees for Family law and Litigation matters are charged in accordance with the High Court Scale of Fees.

These scales ensure our clients are awarded a reasonable net result.

It's all part of being a truly local and community based firm.

Information on the High Court Scale of Fees is available here

We have a specific fee arrangement in place for Wills. For further information, go to Wills and Estate matters .

For some litigation matters, we will act on your behalf on a "no win/now fee" basis. Read on to find out more about what this means.

No Win, No Fee - what does it mean?

The term “no win no fee” is one that is familiar to many of us, but what does it mean?

In the past, a justifiable amount of suspicion surrounded the term due to the bad press* that has sounded it, and a perception that lawyers are “ambulance chasers”!

As a result of this bad publicity, strict advertising regulations have been placed on lawyers practicing in the area of personal injury litigation. The term ‘no win no fee’ is no longer able to be used by lawyers in their advertising in any publication, except for online advertising where the term is still permitted.

Despite the lack of advertising, “no win no fee” arrangements are still commonly used by personal injuries lawyers. The term means that the lawyer will only bill you for their fees and costs if a successful result is obtained in your matter. A successful result is where, prior to trial, the other party agrees to pay your damages, or if the matter proceeds to trial, the court assesses liability in your favour.

The legal firm in taking on your case effectively takes on the risk that if your case fails they will not get paid.* For this reason if the solicitor believes there is a significant risk that you will lose your case they will be honest and upfront with you about this.

When engaging a solicitor to act for you on a “no win no fee” basis it is important that they explain the meaning of this to you in detail. They should also provide you with a detailed cost agreement outlining the terms of the “no win no fee” retainer and an estimate of their legal costs. It is important when retaining a lawyer that you are aware of how their fees are calculated as legal costs can vary considerably between each firm depending of the way in which they charge.

At Schultz Toomey O’Brien Lawyers our personal injuries team conduct claims on a “no win no fee” basis. Our professional fees are charged only in accordance with the High Court Scale of Fees.

Our costs guarantee means that we limit our fees in the circumstances of a small claim to ensure that our clients always receive a reasonable net result.

* “no win no fee” The Claims Connection http://www.theclaimsconnection.co.uk/no-win-no-fee.html

Do you have an enquiry?
If you are in need of legal assistance enter your details below to arrange a consultation.