10 Signs Your Lawyer's Bill Might Be Unreasonable

Legal services aren't cheap — but there’s a big difference between a fair bill and an unreasonable one. If you’ve received a lawyer’s invoice that feels suspiciously high, here are 10 warning signs that your bill might not be as fair as it should be:

1. Vague Descriptions

If the bill is full of entries like "work on file" or "attention to matter" without clear explanations, it’s hard to know what you’re actually paying for. Good bills should be specific and detailed.

2. Unexpected Charges

Were you billed for things you never discussed — like hiring a barrister, filing fees, or extra court applications? Significant expenses should never appear without prior notice or approval.

3. Excessive Time on Routine Tasks

Routine tasks like sending simple emails, filing documents, or scheduling meetings shouldn’t take hours. Be wary if you see surprisingly high time entries for basic administrative work.

4. Charging for Internal Communications

Some law firms bill clients when their lawyers email or call each other internally. While a small amount of coordination is reasonable, extensive internal communication charges could be a sign of inefficiency — at your expense.

5. Double Billing

If two lawyers attend the same meeting or court hearing and both bill you for the full amount, that's a red flag. Unless clearly agreed beforehand, you shouldn’t pay double for one task.

6. Billing for Learning

You shouldn't have to pay for a lawyer's "learning curve." If they charge significant time for basic research on well-known areas of law, it may be unreasonable.

7. Minimal Progress, Big Costs

If you’ve paid thousands and there’s little or no progress on your case, that’s a concern. Good legal work usually produces clear steps forward.

8. Large Discrepancy from Estimate

Lawyers are required to give cost estimates — and significant differences without explanation could be a breach of duty. Always compare your final bill against the original quote or estimate.

9. Charging for Clerical Work

Filing, copying, and simple document preparation are usually administrative tasks that should be built into a lawyer’s overheads — not separately billed at high hourly rates.

10. Unapproved Third-Party Costs

If your lawyer hired third parties (like expert witnesses, consultants, or private investigators) and you were billed without prior approval, that can be challenged.

What Can You Do If You Suspect Overcharging?

You don’t have to simply accept the bill.

At Law in Check, we specialise in reviewing legal bills and helping clients challenge unreasonable fees. Whether you want to negotiate, formally dispute the bill, or just get a second opinion, we’re here to help you navigate it.