The lawyers at Flaherty Sloan Hatfield may be retained on an hourly basis. The hourly rate is determined by each lawyer individually based upon case complexity, years of service and ultimately by agreement with the client.
For most cases, our clients choose to retain us on a contingent basis. The Law Society of Ontario (Law Society of Ontario Home | Law Society of Ontario (lso.ca) has established a Contingency Fee Agreement that is applicable throughout the Province and applies to all lawyers who agree to be retained on a contingent basis.
The regulations are set out here Contingency Fees – Paralegal | Law Society of Ontario (lso.ca)
As with hourly fee retainers, contingency fee agreements vary depending on risk and complexity.
The maximum percentage fee charged is 50% in very rare cases where the risk and complexity demand a higher fee.
In most cases the lawyers at our firm will agree to be retained at either a 20% plus costs agreement or alternatively a 33% contingency agreement.
In some cases, where the effort expended by the firm and the size of the claim does not demand a standard fee, we will charge a reducing rate depending upon the circumstances. For example, in some large cases we might charge 33% on the fist $500,000.00, 30% on the subsequent sums to $1,000,000.00 and 25% thereafter.
It is important to keep mind that while fees may be contingent upon results achieved, disbursements and taxes are not contingent. Disbursements and taxes are always charged in addition to fees and are payable regardless of results achieved.