NBA Benin Branch Fixes Minimum Fees For Consultations, Court Appearances And Legal Documentation

The Benin branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), has set minimum court appearance fees and percentage on legal documentation.

This step was taken to address the protracted issue of remuneration among lawyers in the branch and the challenge of some lawyers who undercharge clients to the detriment of other lawyers.

In a notice signed by the branch Chairman, P.I. Oiwoh Esq, and Secretary O.A. Lawani Esq., the branch at its general meeting held on Sunday 5th of December, 2021, agreed on the minimum appearance fees and charges on legal documentation by lawyers in Benin City and environs.

According to the notice, fees for appearances before the Supreme Court are negotiable, appearances before the Court of Appeal are to attract a minimum appearance fee of N30,000, Federal High Court, State High Court and National Industrial Court, N20,000, Magistrate Courts, and Area Customary Courts within Benin City, N10,000; High Court outside Benin City, N20,000; Magistrate Courts, and Area Customary Courts outside Benin City, N20,000; High Court of Edo State but in distant places, N30,000,Magistrate Courts, and Area Customary Courts distant outside Benin City, 25,000; High Court in Igarra and Agenebode, N50,000, Solicitor’s Consultation Fee, N10,000; and 10% on Legal Documentation.

The notice further instructs Lawyers to issue receipts and clients to insist on the issuance of receipts for such appearance fees, as the taskforce set up to enforce can visit at any time to inspect duplicate of such receipts.