Matter fee estimate review checklist
Estimates must be realistic and comply with costs disclosure obligations under the Legal Profession Uniform Law. This checklist is for senior lawyers reviewing colleagues' estimates before they go to the client.
This is a 12-step matter fee estimate review checklist. It covers scope, hours, rates, disbursements, and disclosure compliance.
The checklist
Check scope clarity
Check the scope inclusions and exclusions are clearly stated.
Check phase breakdown
Check the estimate has a phase breakdown rather than a single lump sum.
Check hours per grade
Check hours allocated by lawyer grade match complexity.
Check rate application
Check correct hourly rates have been applied to each grade.
Check disbursements
Check disbursements — court fees, expert fees, counsel fees — are included.
Check GST
Check GST is shown clearly and consistently.
Check assumptions
Check assumptions underlying the estimate are reasonable.
Check contingency
Check an appropriate contingency has been applied.
Check disclosure statement
Check the required costs disclosure statement under section 174 is included.
Check legal costs decision
Check advice about the client's right to a costs agreement, negotiation, and assessment.
Check variance notice
Check the client has been told when a variation letter will be issued.
Approve estimate
Approve the estimate for release to the client.
When this checklist applies
Use when reviewing a junior lawyer's fee estimate before it is issued.
Common pitfalls
- Single lump sum with no phase breakdown
- Disbursements excluded from estimate
- Section 174 disclosure missing
- Assumptions not stated
- No contingency for uncertainty
Run this checklist on a real matter
Quillio can review fee estimates and flag disclosure gaps. See /practice-areas/firm-management or start a free trial.
General guidance for fee estimate review. Apply jurisdictional costs rules.
Use this checklist on your matter.
Quillio can run this checklist on a specific NSW conveyancing matter — confirm each item, calculate adjustments, and generate the supporting documents. The free trial requires no credit card.
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