Last reviewed in March 2023 by the Clicklaw Editors

No rule controls how much lawyers can charge or how they can bill you – the market decides these things. Lawyers usually bill you in one of four ways: fixed fee, hourly rate, contingency fee, or lump sum. If you have a problem with your lawyer's bill, discuss it with the lawyer. Most lawyers want to clear up any misunderstanding over fees. If you can't solve the problem, you have two choices:

• You can ask a registrar of the BC Supreme Court to review the bill.
• You can also use the Law Society's Fee Mediation service.

Good starting points include:

• Lawyers’ Fees, from People's Law School, explains how lawyers bill, how you can keep the costs down, and what you can do if you disagree with the lawyer's bill.
• Complaints about Lawyers' Fees: Fee Mediation Program, from the Law Society of BC, is an informal process for dealing with fee disputes without having to go to court.

See our related common questions:

• How can I get the best out of my lawyer?
• How do I make a complaint against my lawyer?
• See all common questions about legal help & lawyers

tags

lawyer fees, disagreement over lawyer's bill, legal fees