Thirty-hour workdays...
More than 100 billable hours…in just three days
And a legal bill that ran more than $10 million over what was deemed reasonable
That was the finding in a major legal costs dispute involving Broken Hill City Council. While it sounds extreme, you don't necessarily need a $10 million dispute to find problems on a legal invoice.
So, what should you actually look for when your lawyer's bill arrives?
Here are five hidden costs clients commonly miss, along with how to seek legal advice.
A hidden cost is a charge you did not expect, could not clearly understand, or were not told about before the work was carried out. Not every unexpected charge is necessarily overcharging, but it is worth checking against your costs agreement and any information your lawyer provided.
In Victoria, the Legal Profession Uniform Law requires lawyers to provide clients with enough information to understand their legal costs and assess whether they are reasonable.
Common examples of hidden costs on a legal bill include:
For more information, read our guide on hidden billing traps here.
Hidden costs can easily be overlooked when reviewing a legal bill. Look out for:
A two-minute task may be billed as six or 10 minutes. Check what billing unit your lawyer uses.
Printing, scanning, and file organisation may be charged at professional rates. Check whether these fees were disclosed and are reasonable.
Look for repeated expenses or internal costs presented as disbursements. Ask for receipts, supplier invoices and an explanation of every mark-up.
Entries that lack detail, or multiple lawyers billing for the same task, can add unnecessary costs. Ask your lawyer to identify what each entry achieved and why more than one person needed to perform the work.
If your final bill is significantly higher than the estimate, check whether you were notified about the increase and why costs rose.
Concerned your legal bill includes excessive or unreasonable charges? Our legal fee refund calculator can help you estimate how much you may be able to recover or have reduced.
Simply enter details such as your latest bill date, total legal costs, time spent on the matter and the state or territory where the services were provided.
The results are estimates only and not legal advice. If your bill warrants further review, you can speak with a Law in Check costs lawyer for a free, confidential assessment.
Try our legal fee calculator.
You can also refer to the following resources.
Legal Disbursements: What to Pay & What to Question
How to Read a Legal Bill Like a Cost Lawyer
What Are Professional Fees?
The Ethics of Legal Billing: What Lawyers Must Disclose
Lump Sum vs Itemised Legal Bills Explained
Common Billing Mistakes Lawyers Make & How to Challenge Them
When Are Legal Fees Excessive?
Top 5 Excuses Lawyers Use to Justify Overcharging
Why Legal Matters Often Cost More Than Expected
Legal Costs Auditing FAQs
Are You Paying Too Much for Legal Fees? Here's How to Tell
What to Do When Your Legal Bill Feels High
5 Warning Signs You Should Check Your Legal Bill Immediately
Why Your Legal Bill Is Higher Than the Estimate and What You Can Do
Can Your Lawyer Charge You for Every Phone Call and Email?
Looking for more information? Explore all relevant resources here.
If you believe you've been overcharged by your lawyer, Law in Check can help you review your legal costs and understand your options. Our experienced costs professionals can:
Start your legal costs dispute with Law in Check and discover what options may be available. Reach out to us today.
Should you require any help with understanding or challenging your legal fees,
call Law in Check on 1800 529 462 or send us an email at info@lawincheck.com.au.
Book a consultation