4. Go to your hearing
Question & Answer
How do I complain about my lawyer’s bill?You don't need a lawyer to help you at your assessment , but you can get one if you want.
If you have a hearing, the assessment officer will review your bill to decide if it is fair or too high. Your lawyer must prove that the bill is reasonable. They can use records that show how much time they worked on your case or other evidence. You will have the chance to ask your lawyer questions about the bill and their evidence.
The assessment officer makes a decision about your bill based on things like:
- the time your lawyer spent on your case
- how complicated your case was
- how much work the lawyer had to do
- the outcome of your case
- your ability to pay
- what you expected to pay and how that compares to your bill
After the hearing, the assessment officer will make a decision. The decision and reasons will be in a Report and Certificate of Assessment.
If the assessment officer decides that your bill is too high, it may be reduced. If the assessment officer decides your bill is fair, you must pay the full amount.
The assessment officer may also decide that or costs must be paid.
If you disagree with the decision of an assessment officer, you can ask a judge to review it. You have to fill out a Motion to Oppose Confirmation of the Report and Certificate of Assessment. You do this at the . The motion must be served on all parties within 15 days of the Certificate of Assessment being filed.
