No reliable fee estimate without the facts
The required work depends on the scope, urgency, documents, financial importance and the type of legal service requested.
Fees and Process
Transparency about the instruction, process and fees
Employment matters differ significantly in urgency, complexity and objectives. The scope of advice and the fee arrangement are therefore agreed by reference to the specific matter before substantive work begins.
Orientation
Why employment-law matters require different levels of work
A focused contract question, an unfair-dismissal claim and the negotiation of a complex separation agreement require different levels of legal work.
Even within the same legal topic, urgency, available documents, evidence and financial importance may differ considerably.
The first step is therefore to determine which legal service is actually required and which scope of advice is appropriate.
Advice process
From the initial enquiry to implementation
A structured process provides clarity about responsibility, scope, remuneration and the next legal steps.
01
Classify the matter and its urgency
The employment situation, possible deadlines and the likely need for legal advice are identified at the outset.
02
Clarify documents and objectives
The relevant documents, chronology and intended outcome are recorded in a structured manner.
03
Define the scope of advice
Before substantive work begins, the required review, drafting, negotiation or representation is agreed.
04
Agree the fee basis transparently
The fee arrangement reflects the specific instruction and is agreed on the basis of the anticipated scope of work.
05
Develop the legal strategy
Legal position, risks, financial consequences and professional or business objectives are combined into a clear course of action.
06
Implement the agreed instruction
The mandate is carried out through legal review, contractual drafting, negotiation or court representation as agreed.
Fee principles
Transparency begins with a clearly defined instruction
The appropriate fee basis can only be determined once the subject and scope of the requested legal work are known.
Clarity before substantive work begins
The intended scope of advice and the basis of remuneration should be clear before more extensive work is undertaken.
Scope and remuneration belong together
An initial assessment, contract review, negotiation and court representation may require substantially different amounts of work.
Material changes are discussed
If the instruction expands or changes significantly, the further scope of advice and remuneration should also be clarified.
A specific fee statement requires a specific instruction
This page intentionally does not state standard fees, hourly rates or fixed cost promises. A reliable assessment requires knowledge of the facts, the requested legal service and the anticipated scope of work.
Scope of work
Factors that may influence the remuneration
The scope is determined not only by the legal topic but primarily by the specific task entrusted to the law firm.
Type of legal service
The scope depends on whether a specific question is to be answered, a contract reviewed, negotiations conducted or proceedings handled.
Volume and complexity
The number and importance of documents, legal issues and available evidence influence the amount of work required.
Urgency and deadlines
Short deadlines or imminent decisions may require immediate review, prioritisation and accelerated preparation.
Financial and professional importance
Dismissals, executive contracts, variable remuneration and post-contractual restrictions may involve substantial interests.
Preparation
Information that assists an initial assessment
A clear summary of the starting position makes it easier to identify urgency, the likely scope of advice and the documents required.
The following information is particularly helpful for an initial assessment:
- a concise summary of the situation
- important dates and possible deadlines
- the principal contracts and correspondence
- the intended outcome of the advice
- information about existing negotiations or proceedings
Engagement
An enquiry is not yet confirmation of a mandate
Before legal work begins, it must be confirmed that the mandate can be accepted and which specific instruction has been given.
Sending an enquiry or documents does not automatically establish a lawyer-client relationship.
Legal work requires express agreement on acceptance of the mandate, the subject of the instruction and the further process.
Until acceptance has been confirmed, possible deadlines must continue to be observed independently.
Further information
Understand the firm and the areas of advice
The English portal provides further information about Kanzlei Dr. Cordt and its German employment law services.
Next step
Clarify the situation, objective and required scope of advice
A concise summary and the key documents make it possible to identify the legal work required and the appropriate framework for the mandate.