Can a lawyer add an additional bonus to the legal fees paid to a client as a result of interim billing?

British Columbia, Canada


The following excerpt is from Berge Horn v. Hewson et al., 2008 BCSC 675 (CanLII):

A client is entitled to be given clear, specific and unambiguous information, regarding the cost of legal services. Yule v. Saskatoon, supra, is a case in which no interim billing was developed and it was only after the final bill was rendered that it was determined to be appropriate. That is not the case at bar. An hourly rate was agreed to and an hourly rate was paid as bills were rendered. If a lawyer and client agree to a fee on terms, those terms are binding and a lawyer is not free to vary by adding a bonus unless there is no question that the client was fully informed and aware that such a bonus would be charged.

Other Questions


Is a lawyer who failed to communicate to his clients about his legal fees to their clients by email a breach of fiduciary obligations? (British Columbia, Canada)
Can a waiver of solicitor-client privilege occur when the client puts his mind in issue and legal knowledge? (British Columbia, Canada)
Is confidentiality an obligation of a lawyer to keep confidential all communications between lawyers and clients confidential? (British Columbia, Canada)
In what cases have the courts restrained a lawyer from acting where the lawyer has previously acted jointly for another lawyer? (British Columbia, Canada)
Is a lawyer’s client entitled to have all communications made with a view to obtaining legal advice kept confidential? (British Columbia, Canada)
Does a solicitor have a fiduciary obligation to the client in order to meet the obligations incurred by the client while providing legal services? (British Columbia, Canada)
How much time has a lawyer billed a client for what was properly secretarial work? (British Columbia, Canada)
Can a lawyer who entered into a fixed fee agreement with a client without the client signing a written agreement with respect to the amount of money that was deposited into his general account? (British Columbia, Canada)
What is the legal framework governing interim applications for an interim order? (British Columbia, Canada)
What is the test for obtaining a restraining order against a lawyer who is not a client or near client? (British Columbia, Canada)
X



Alexi white


"The most advanced legal research software ever built."

Trusted by top litigators from across North America.