A first meeting an initial introductory legal consultation of up to half an hour is conducted free of charge.

Payment for legal services is based an the Austrian Rechtsanwaltstarifgesetz [(RATG) Lawyers' fees statute] and the Autonomous Fee Guidelines (AHR) issued by the Vienna Chamber of Lawyers.

Fees are calculated an the basis of the value in litigation, this being either the amount claimed or that laid down by the courts or in the guidelines for a specific area of law.

We would ask our clients to note that in all cases disbursements such as court fees paid by the firm must be refunded immediately, whilst payment for legal services must be either made promptly in individual instances or, by agreement, based an six monthly fee accounts.

The lawyer's primary claim to fee exists toward the client, but the Austrian law system provides mainly a refund of costs from the succeeding party towards the unsuccessful one.

Charging by the hour may fundamentally be agreed as an alternative. In the case of most legal actions, costs are awarded against the defeated party, however, this only applies where it proves possible to recover the said sum.