How will my lawyer be paid?

• You will generally be responsible for paying for your lawyer, although you may be able to ask friends and family for financial support. In some cases legal aid may be available to pay for your lawyer, but it is usually very limited (please refer to question 17 for further guidance). You may also be unable to instruct a lawyer of your choice if your lawyer is funded by the state.
   
• Legal fees should be discussed and agreed during your first contact with your lawyer. The lawyer should be able to tell you at this stage how much you are likely to have to pay and how costs will be calculated. S/he will have to take into consideration the time s/he spends working on your case, usually charged by the hour, and any additional legal costs such as court fees. You should ask your lawyer to explain any likely additional costs.
   
• Your lawyer may agree to a fixed spending limit, or you could arrange to pay your legal fees on a monthly basis. In any event, it is advisable to reach an agreement to pay the fees in instalments rather than paying them all upfront.
   
• You / your family should ask for written invoices for fees, and not feel threatened into sending money after just a phone call.

This is not a substitute for legal advice and, because every case is different and legal systems around the world vary so much, we cannot guarantee that the answers will be applicable to your own case. For advice about your own situation, you should talk to a lawyer qualified in the jurisdiction where you are being prosecuted.

The information contained in this document is provided for information purposes only and is not intended as legal advice, nor does it constitute legal advice. Whilst we endeavour to keep the information up to date and correct, Fair Trials International makes no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or applicability to individual cases of the information contained in this leaflet. Any reliance you place on such material is therefore strictly at your own risk. Fair Trials International disclaims any liability to the fullest extent permissible by law for any loss or damage of any kind arising from the use of the information provided. 

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