Find the Right Lawyer in Newfoundland and Labrador

Government and Politics

Newfoundland and Labrador are governed by a parliamentary within a constitutional monarchy. The monarchy in Newfoundland and Labrador is the foundation of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. The sovereign is Queen Elizabeth II. She serves as head of state of 14 other Commonwealth countries. She also serves as head of state over each of Canada’s nine other provinces and the Canadian federal realm. The Queen resides in the United Kingdom. The Lieutenant Governor of Newfoundland and Labrador is the Queen’s representative.

Royal figures have limited participation in governance. The Executive Council directs its use of executive powers. The Executive Council is a committee of ministers of the Crown responsible to the House of Assembly. The Council is chosen by the Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, the head of government.

After each election, the lieutenant governor appoints the leader of the political party that has a majority in the House of Assembly as premier. The party leader with second-most seats typically becomes the Leader of Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition and is part of an adversarial system that keeps the government in check.

How Much Will it Cost Me to Hire a Lawyer in Newfoundland and Labrador?

There is no scale of fees for lawyers. Lawyers’ fees vary between cases, lawyers, and firms. Before hiring a lawyer, discuss the costs involved and how you will be billed for the service.

The cost of having a Newfoundland and Labrador lawyer represent you should be discussed at the first meeting. A Newfoundland and Labrador lawyer’s fee should be fair and reasonable. The fee will be based on several factors:

• The Newfoundland and Labrador lawyer’s experience and skill
• The complexity of your case
• The time and effort it takes to complete the work
• The standard rate charged by other Newfoundland and Labrador lawyers of equal standing in similar cases and circumstances

Newfoundland and Labrador lawyers use different types of fees for their services. These include:

• Fixed or flat fees: A fixed or flat fee is charged for a certain type of legal work, such as drafting a will or a real estate transaction.
• Hourly fee: An hourly fee is the rate a lawyer charges for services on an hourly basis. Hourly fees vary depending on the lawyer and the nature of the case involved. If your lawyer charges an hourly fee, you will be billed according to the lawyer’s number of hours on your legal issue.
• Retainer fee: A retainer fee is a deposit made in advance to cover the early costs of your case. Retainer fees are a payment towards your final bill. As the work progresses, you may be required to pay another retainer to cover ongoing costs.
• Contingency fee: If your lawyer operates by using a contingency fee, you will not be charged until your case is settled. The lawyer will then take a percentage of the settlement money you receive. You may be required to pay for disbursements before settlement.

Before hiring a lawyer in Newfoundland and Labrador, find out:

• The types of fees the lawyer will charge
• The basis for the lawyer’s charges
• An estimate, in writing, of the cost to settle your legal issue, including costs in addition to legal fees
• If another lawyer or professional will be involved in resolving your issue and how much they charge
• The cost of a retainer if one is required
• What the lawyer’s percentage will be if services are provided under a contingency fee arraignment
• The likelihood of anything happening that may increase the cost of services
• How you will be informed if your cost is increased due to unusual or unforeseen circumstances so that you can make an informed decision
• The lawyer’s billing schedule
• When you are expected to pay
• Your options for payment of fees and other costs
• The cost of interest charges on overdue accounts
• Suggestions for keeping your costs down

If you are trying to find a lawyer in Newfoundland and Labrador, they might not be able to give you an exact cost for legal services during your first meeting. However, the lawyer should be able to provide an approximate amount based on the cost of conducting cases similar to yours. Be prepared for additional costs as the work continues on your matter

Sometimes, a lawyer will give you a statement of account while your matter is ongoing. You may be expected to pay upon receipt of this statement. On other occasions, a lawyer will wait until your matter is concluded before sending you a bill. You should discuss all bills with your lawyer, including any concerns you have about the amount of your bill.

What Should I Do if I Feel My Lawyer’s Fees Are Too High?

Your lawyer’s bill should show the services they provided, who did the work, and the cost associated with each service. The bill should also show the cost of disbursements, which are expenses paid by the lawyer while working on your behalf. You will be expected to reimburse your lawyer for these expenses.

If you think the amount a Newfoundland and Labrador lawyer has billed you is unreasonable, or if you do not understand some items on the bill, ask your lawyer to explain the charges. If you cannot agree with your lawyer on the amount you owe, you may have your account taxed.

“Taxed” is the term Newfoundland and Labrador lawyers use for having your bill reviewed by a Taxing Master who will determine if the charges are fair and reasonable. Upon receiving it, you should discuss the bill with your lawyer as soon as possible. Your lawyer may decide to have the bill taxed if the dispute over the amount of the bill cannot be resolved.

What Should I Talk About at My First Meeting With a Lawyer?

If you are trying to find a lawyer in Newfoundland and Labrador, your first meeting is to exchange information between you and the lawyer.

Lawyers in Newfoundland and Labrador will want to know:

• The facts of your legal matter
• What you want to be accomplished
• If you have documents or other materials related to your matter
• The names of people involved to determine the existence of a conflict of interest. This
• information is protected by the attorney-client privilege.
• If another lawyer has previously dealt with your case
• If you can pay the estimated legal fees

You should find out:

• If you have a case worth pursuing
• If you are being realistic and reasonable in your expectations
• How much experience the lawyer has in your area of law
• What kind of legal options you have
• What the law is relating to your problem
• The likelihood of achieving a successful outcome
• What services the lawyer will provide

How Can I Find a Lawyer in Newfoundland and Labrador?

To find lawyers in Newfoundland and Labrador, consider using LegalMatch. There is no fee to schedule a consultation. Use LegalMatch to find the right lawyer for you today.