Costs & Legal Aid
Costs & Legal Aid
We run a low-cost practice so good legal help is within reach. You'll always know what something will cost before we start.
Fair, upfront costs
Our rates sit well below most firms. We always talk about costs before we start.
Appointments are charged at our usual rates, unless your matter is covered by Legal Aid.
Reduced fees may be available if you're doing it tough. Court and filing fees are extra.
You might qualify for Legal Aid
A lot of our work is funded by Legal Aid NSW, especially family law and mediation. Many people don't realise they're eligible.
- We'll check whether you're likely to qualify
- We help prepare and lodge the application
- If you're approved, we can act for you under the grant
Our costs agreement
Our costs agreement applies from your first appointment. In short:
- We estimate your fees before we start, and agree any changes with you before extra work is done
- Court and filing fees (disbursements) are paid by you
- You can ask for an itemised bill at any time
- You can negotiate the agreement, and raise any dispute about fees with the NSW Legal Services Commissioner
- Your information is kept confidential
Read the full costs agreement and disclosure
Please read this carefully. We offer to provide legal services to you on these terms, which apply from your first consultation.
Scope of work
We will provide legal advice and support including our consultation with you, communications (for example emails, letters and telephone calls), drafting documents, or appearing in a court, tribunal or meeting on your behalf.
Professional fees
We charge set fees for court work and particular jobs as set out in our Menu of Fees. We will charge you for all the work we do at an hourly rate of $250 plus GST, or $400 plus GST if you own real property, unless otherwise agreed. Our minimum charge is $100. You must also pay any costs, including court and filing fees. We will estimate our fees and costs before we do any work, and agree any changes before we do any additional work. We may offer reduced fees for clients in financial hardship.
Billing arrangements
You must pay at the time of your appointment, or if we agree, we may accept payment by internet banking and send you an invoice by email. Please pay your account within 7 days. You must pay any outstanding bill before we release your file. We give you our payment details in person and will never change them by email.
Your rights
You may negotiate a costs agreement or method of billing with us, request and receive an itemised bill, complain to the NSW Legal Services Commissioner if you dispute our fees and costs, and you will be notified as soon as possible of any significant change to fees or costs.
Your information
We will keep your information and matter confidential, and retain electronic copies of documents for 7 years. We may use your information to assist in applying for funding to support the work of Barefoot Law.
Your acceptance
You accept this agreement when you first use the services of Barefoot Law, and it applies from then.
Paying us
- Payment is due at your appointment, or within 7 days of an invoice if we've agreed to invoice you
- We'll give you our payment details in person
- We will never change our bank details by email. If you get an email saying they've changed, call us before paying anything
Why our phone is sometimes unattended
We run a low-cost operation to keep our fees as low as possible for our clients. This means our phone is sometimes unattended. If you can't reach us, please leave a message, send a text or email connect@barefootlaw.net.au.