Indian lawyers turn to discounts, bargains and estimates on fees

With a debate taking place on alternative billing procedures, Indian law firm partners are tending to charge themselves out at between US$48 and $1,500 an hour but are using a range of other measures to keep fees competitive.

29 April 2015

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The average rate for senior partners at law firms is, however, $292 an hour - and few appear convinced that many Indians are charging $1,500 an hour. The data comes from research from RSG Consulting. With the likelihood increasing that foreign firms will be entering the market in the next few years, the rates of foreign firms doing work related to India is of growing importance. These firms tend to charge $100 more an hour, and their bottom rate is $80.

Fixed and capped

Saket Shukla, co-founder of Phoenix Legal, said: 'The trend is to ask for estimates for specified scope of work, which works well.' One general counsel, interviewed by Legally India, said: 'Billing has more or less moved to fixed (total amounts). Even if the fixed [fee you end up paying] is higher, the assurance exists that the fees are capped.' Source: Legally India