FEE ARRANGEMENTS

At AULD ALLEN we believe in offering flexible fee arrangements and payment alternatives to suit the specific needs of the client and/or the specific type of matter we are dealing with.

Generally, there are three methods to retain us:

Hourly Rate Method - You will pay for the work performed based upon the time involved. Out-of-pocket expenses for documents and HST are added in addition to the fees. If this option is deemed appropriate, we will send you interim bills so that you as a client are kept fully informed and apprised of costs.

Hiring a lawyer on an hourly rate basis is most common for certain litigation matters (law suits), dispute resolution efforts and occasionally in respect to certain commercial transactions.

Contingency Fee Arrangement - A contingency fee is a fee arrangement whereby our fees are calculated as a percentage of an award we receive on your behalf via either settlement or by virtue of an award of the court after trial. If no monies are obtained on your behalf, then no fees are billed. In other words, we do not get paid unless you do. Percentages vary depending on the type of matter that we are dealing with. Occasionally, the percentages start at a lower rate if the matter is settled at a certain point in time with the percentage increasing should the matter proceed to trial and eventually result in a judgment of the court. HST and out-of-pocket expenses for things such as obtaining expert reports and what not that we pay on your behalf are billed in addition to the fee.

Contingency fees are governed by the Civil Procedure Rules of the Province of Nova Scotia and are generally in a standard form. The contingency fee route is often most appropriate when the client does not otherwise have the money necessary to pay a lawyer on an hourly rate or is concerned about getting a large bill that might otherwise take up most of the monetary award the client might get. Contingency fee arrangements are most common for personal injury/disability disputes. Occasionally, they can be used for other areas as well.

Set Fee for Specific Service - This is when a particular fee is quoted and billed based upon providing a specific service. This is most common when an accurate estimate can be made for what is involved. For example in real estate transactions such as buying or purchasing a home, incorporating a company or preparing Wills.

PAYMENT OPTIONS

RETAINER
For many matters, we may require a retainer (money which we hold in trust and used to offset any eventual bill and/or out-of-pocket expenses). If the providing of a retainer would provide a particular hardship, we often will represent clients without the need to pay any such retainer when the claim has particular merit or the client would otherwise be deprived of legal representation.

VISA
For your convenience, we also accept VISA. We accept VISA for a retainer or for payment of fees. Occasionally clients prefer to give us their VISA account so that should their statement of account remain outstanding in excess of thirty days we can automatically bill it to the VISA therefore the client does not incur any additional interest charges.

In general, it is AULD ALLEN=s philosophy to attempt to do everything we can to be flexible regarding the specific needs of the client. This applies to both payment and fee structures. Please consult with us regarding your specific needs. We are confident that we can work out something that is mutually agreeable.

OUR PHILOSOPHY

• At AULD ALLEN we view our role as problem solvers and the courts are but merely one route to take to solve a problem. In other words, we seek to take a creative approach to dealing with the challenges that our clients face.
• At AULD ALLEN we strive to turn challenges or difficulties into opportunities by looking at challenges in often unconventional ways.
• At AULD ALLEN we strive to keep clients fully apprised and ascribe to the philosophy that although the law may be complex, the solution does not always have to be and often the practical approaches works best.
• At AULD ALLEN we strive to provide exemplary services to our clients and ascribe to the philosophy of Kaizen, constantly always seeking to improve what we do. Accordingly, we welcome all feedback from our clients. It is from this feedback that we can hone our practices to better serve the needs of our clients.
• At AULD ALLEN we enjoy what we do and strive to do it well.

PRO BONO

At AULD ALLEN we like to take an active role and contribute in any way we can to the community. Our lawyers are involved in the community in a variety capacities. Pursuant to our philosophy, we encourage our lawyers to commit a certain percentage of their practice to pro bono work.

If a case has particular merit and/or an individual that should have legal representation would otherwise be deprived of representations for economic reasons, our lawyers may be able to assist you. Each year cases are taken on a without fee basis. Furthermore, in many circumstances cases are taken out at a significantly reduced fee so as to permit the individual to have legal representation. Resources do limit the number of cases we can take on a pro bono or reduced fee basis, but it is our goal that this remain a regular part of our practice.