Commission on Legal Fees

Upon request, the Commission on Legal Fees reviews legal fee invoices issued by members of the Zurich Bar Association. A request must be submitted in writing and sent by post to the address of the president of the Commission on Legal Fees.

The request letter must be accompanied by the detailed invoice that is being contested. Furthermore, it must specify which invoice items are contested and for what reason, or why the invoice as a whole does not correspond with the fee agreement or the fee information made at the beginning of the mandate. The reasonableness of the reported time spent or alleged deficiencies in the lawyer's work can be subject to the assessment by the Commission on Legal Fees only in cases of extreme and obvious disproportion.

The Commission on Legal Fees is not a court that renders a binding judgment about a disputed case, it is merely a conciliation body. After hearing both parties, it may issue a written recommendation for an amicable settlement or conduct a settlement hearing with the parties. If the request for review of legal fees is made by the client, the procedure is free of charge.