Yes. It is imperative for a client and legal counsel to have an opportunity to speak in confidence. AD LUCEM LAW CORPORATION provides a free 30 minutes consultation to consider the issues, listen to the client to determine whether the office can be of assistance.

Fees for our legal services are based on a billable hour basis whereby legal fees are determined by the stated hourly rate multiplied by the number of hours. The number of hours depends on the nature of the case. We do give an estimate of fees involved in a particular matter but only after an initial interview with a client. Fees usually depend on the following factors: 
·       The amount of time required to do the work
·       The urgency and legal complexity of the matter 
·       The issues involved in the matter 
·       The ability of the client to pay.

For most types of legal work, it is difficult to estimate the amount of effort involved or necessary in advance. In these circumstances, time spent is recorded and charged by the hour pursuant to retainer agreement terms and standard conditions. The amount of time varies with the urgency and complexity of the work. We provide the client with itemized bills on a regular basis.

$450.00 CDN, plus taxes (12%) and disbursements.

The total cost of your legal services will depend on such factors as:

·       the complexity of the situation
·       the time required
·       what you tell me to do
·       what needs to get done
·       the amount of work we need to do to accomplish these steps
·       the urgency of each step
·       the level of cooperation from the other side

We require a non-refundable retainer to cover anticipated disbursements and partial fees. Having funds in trust serves as a deposit and ensures there are adequate funds available to cover the work. A retainer is essentially a down-payment on legal services, the funds of which are held in trust by our firm for you. As we perform legal services on your behalf and provide a statement of account for those services, we will draw down the retainer held in trust. Once trust has been depleted, we may ask for an additional retainer if more work is required to be performed on your behalf.

A contract containing the terms of engagement upon which my practice operates and includes how you will be charged for legal services, forms communication with you and assurance of confidentiality.

Yes. Depending on the nature of the legal work and whether a fixed rate or capped service is appropriate in the circumstances. Capped rates remain subject to taxes and do not include disbursements.

Firstly, contact my office to schedule a consultation. Secondly, review, sign and return the Retainer Agreement following the consultation. Thirdly, make the requested payment of retainer funds into trust. When I have a signed retainer agreement and money in trust, you can consider me your retained legal counsel.

The global sales tax for British Columbia is calculated from provincial sales tax (PST) B.C. rate (7%) and the goods and services tax (GST) in Canada rate (5%) for a total of 12%. Taxes payable on legal fees are separate and in addition to legal fees and remain client responsibility.

The firm maintains a separate bank account for money we hold in trust for our clients, designated as a trust account. The Law Society of British Columbia has very strict standards for lawyers’ trust accounts. Trust accounts are audited annually by a professional accountant and the results of the audit are reported to the Law Society.

Office hours are Mondays to Fridays, 9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.