Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom

Key definition

Fees definition

What does Fees mean? In legal practice, Fees are the sums payable by one party to another for goods, services or rights under a contract, together with any agreed charges or other amounts. The term is descriptive rather than statutory; while specific legislation prescribes particular court or registry fees in England & Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Ireland, in private agreements Fees is a contract-defined term. Usage is broadly consistent across these jurisdictions. Key features in contracts include whether Fees cover one-off, periodic, retainer or success-based payments; whether expenses/disbursements are included or separate; whether VAT/sales taxes are excluded or included; timing and invoicing; indexation;...

Managing fee pressure for solicitors: creative fee arrangements, negotiation tactics and SRA price and service transparency (England and Wales)

Published by a LexisNexis Practice Management expert

Practice notes

This Practice Note explains approaches for handling relentless client demands for fee reductions. It outlines inventive fee structures and considers how solicitors can develop greater confidence when negotiating charges.

Providing creative fee arrangements instead of greater discounts

Crucially, a creative fee arrangement is not simply a steeper discount. A creative price should advantage the client and also benefit the solicitor. If it favours only one side, it is unlikely to endure in the longer term. Balance is critical; where one side bears all the compromise, the model will falter.

Much legal commentary suggests clients dislike time-based billing, as it can reward inefficiency. Nonetheless, some matters may still suit time-based Fees as the fairest option for both parties, for example where the amount of work required is uncertain. When the likely workload is unclear, paying for time can appear the most even-handed solution for both client and solicitor.

So, which genuinely creative fee models might you adopt? Here are a few ideas: Think in terms of options that increase client value while remaining advantageous for the firm overall too.

Fee arrangement
Explanatory notes
Fixed fees

For the client, this offers certainty. For the solicitor, it provides a chance to earn a...

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Jon Whittle

Jon Whittle Consulting Ltd

Jon is a specialist in developing legal businesses using market intelligence and customer insight to implement successful programmes for change. He works with law firms to create sustainable growth alongside successful project management, implementing new technologies and evolving business operations. Jon has been working on the future of law firms for more than fifteen years, focusing on the strategies and tactics that help firms build real and defendable competitive advantage. Whilst working in a senior leadership role at LexisNexis he was also the architect and author of the widely read LexisNexis Bellwether Reports and is a recognised authority on how law firms can build and grow. Previously, Jon worked, for two decades, at board level, in some of the UK’s largest media companies, transforming traditional businesses into growth in the digital age. He now applies the fruits of this experience,...

Web page updated on 21/05/2026

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