Verhaegen Walravens | Lawyers

Our law firm works on an hourly-rate basis. Each lawyer works at an hourly rate determined according to his or her level of experience and degree of specialisation. The hourly rates may be adapted, when agreed in advance, under certain circumstances, such as the size or the complexity of the matter at hand.
Our law firm prefers working in teams composed of younger lawyers working under the supervision of a more experienced partner. The choice of team will be determined according to the issues involved in the client’s matter. Working in teams also allows our law firm to remain prepared to serve our clients: informed of the composition of the team of lawyers working on their matters, clients may contact an associate in the absence of a partner.

Our law firm prepares its statement of fees periodically, either monthly or quarterly, unless otherwise requested by the client.

For any additional information, clients are kindly requested to contact the responsible partner of their choice or, if necessary, the managing partner (managingpartner@verwal.net).

Our law firm’s hourly rates include all internal costs of any kind (e.g., for secretaries, telecommunications, photocopies, etc.).

External costs that are incurred for a matter (magistrate’s costs, external consultants, external database user fees, etc.) shall be borne directly by the client and will be invoiced separately by our law firm to the client.

Services that our law firm must perform urgently, such as work performed at night or on weekends, may be charged at an hourly rate that is higher than the lawyers’ hourly rate.

As a policy our law firm strives to be flexible in the manner that it sets its hourly rates so that we can maintain a close relationship with our clients and remain available to hear their daily questions and concerns.

If the client wishes, our law firm can link part of its fees to a "success fee" or can work for a pre-determined lump sum, provided that such arrangements are in the best interests of the client and the law firm.

Kindly note that the fees of Belgian law firms are not subject to VAT.

Our law firm is contemplating the development of a secure computer system that will allow clients to gain on-line access to our time management system.This will enable our client to follow, from day to day, the progress of work, including the corresponding budgetary implications. An agreement describing the practical details concerning the on-line access to our time management system will be provided to each client before a client may use this system.