Costs disclosure, costs agreement and other client disclosures - under construction
Important noticeThis page explains our usual fees and terms and includes our costs disclosure and other client information. It is not a public offer and is not binding on its own. It only becomes binding if it is expressly referred to by an authorised representative of Intuition Legal in connection with an offer to provide legal services, and you accept that offer. If we later give you a matter‑specific costs disclosure or costs agreement, that document will apply instead if there is any difference.
Fee structure and costs disclosureBasis of chargingWe usually charge for our work based on the time we spend on your matter, at the hourly rate of the lawyer or staff member performing the work, plus any disbursements and GST. In some matters, we may agree on a fixed fee or fees for specific stages of work. You may discuss our fees with us at any time. You have the right to negotiate a costs agreement and to agree on how we bill you, including by task or by time.
Hourly ratesOur professional fees are generally charged by reference to the time spent on your matter, at the hourly rate applicable to the person performing the work, plus GST and any disbursements. The Lead Consultant rate is $800 plus GST. One or more Lead Consultants may be involved in a matter. A Lead Consultant has primary responsibility for all or a substantial part of the matter and may be a principal, director, or senior specialist engaged by Intuition Legal. The title “Lead Consultant” refers to the role performed on the matter and does not depend on ownership, management status, or firm hierarchy. The Consultant rate ranges between $600 and $1,500 plus GST. A Consultant is an experienced practitioner or specialist engaged to perform substantive work on the matter. The applicable rate within this range depends on the individual’s experience, seniority, specialisation, and the nature of the work performed. The rate for other team members is $300 plus GST. Other team members include lawyers, clerks, paralegals, and support staff who are not identified as a Lead Consultant or Consultant. Where barristers are engaged on your matter, their fees are charged separately as disbursements. Barristers’ rates vary depending on seniority and expertise and may fall within or outside the Consultant rate range. We will inform you of the anticipated basis and level of barristers’ fees before they are incurred.We endeavour to allocate work at an appropriate level to manage costs efficiently.
EstimatesAny cost estimate we give you is based on the information available at the time. It is not a fixed price and may change if circumstances change. If something occurs that is likely to affect the cost, we will notify you in writing as soon as reasonably practicable. Unless we clearly state in writing that we will complete specific work for a fixed fee, any reference to time, hours, or likely cost should be treated as an estimate only.
Billing and paymentBills, interim bills and itemised billsWe may issue bills from time to time for the legal services we provide, including interim bills for part of the work completed. Interim bills may be assessed either when they are issued or at the time of the final bill. We aim to bill on a regular and transparent basis. In active matters, this may be monthly. In most other matters, billing is usually quarterly, or earlier where billable work in progress exceeds $10,000. These timeframes are indicative only and may vary depending on the nature and progress of the matter. You are entitled to receive a bill for legal costs. If a bill is not itemised, or is only partly itemised, you may request an itemised bill within 30 days after the legal costs become payable. An itemised bill provides sufficient detail to explain the legal services provided. This typically includes the work performed, the professional or staff member (or level of staff member) who carried out the work, a description of the work in its broader context, the time spent or units charged where relevant, and the amount charged. An itemised bill does not require disclosure of comprehensive internal time records, raw time entries, or privileged internal communications. If a lump sum bill is issued and an itemised bill is requested which exceeds the amount stated in the lump sum bill, the additional costs may only be recovered if they are determined to be payable following a costs assessment or a binding determination.
Interest on unpaid legal costsIf a bill is not paid on time, we may charge interest. Interest is only charged if allowed under our costs agreement and the law. Where applicable, interest may be charged on amounts that remain unpaid 30 days after a bill is given, at the Reserve Bank of Australia cash rate plus 2%. We will not charge interest on a bill given more than six months after the matter is finished, unless the law allows us to do so. Trust moneyWhere applicable, we may hold money on your behalf in our trust account. If we hold trust money and legal costs remain unpaid, we may give you a bill and written notice proposing to withdraw the amount owing from the trust account. This notice will usually allow at least seven business days for you to review the bill and raise any objection, in accordance with the Legal Profession Uniform General Rules 2015 (NSW). We will only withdraw trust money if permitted by law. If you object within the notice period or there is a genuine dispute about the costs, the money will not be withdrawn unless and until the dispute is resolved by agreement, a costs assessment, or a binding determination. Any withdrawal from trust will be properly recorded and a trust account statement will be provided to you.
Costs agreementThis document constitutes a costs agreement between you and Intuition Legal only if and when it is expressly referred to by an authorised representative of Intuition Legal, for example by email or other written communication, in connection with an offer to provide legal services to you. By accepting that offer, including by confirming acceptance in writing or by continuing to instruct us after the document has been referred to you, you agree to be bound by this costs agreement and the disclosures set out in it. This costs agreement governs matters including professional fees, disbursements, billing arrangements, interim and itemised bills, interest on unpaid amounts, trust money, recovery of costs, termination of the engagement, liens, and governing law. This costs agreement does not guarantee the outcome of any matter and does not limit or exclude any rights you have under the Legal Profession Uniform Law Application Act 2014 (NSW).
Your rights in relation to legal costsunder section 192 of the Legal Profession Uniform Law Application Act 2014 (NSW)If you have a concern or dispute about our legal costs, you may first raise the issue with us so that we have the opportunity to address your concerns. You may also seek the assistance of the NSW Commissioner to help resolve a costs dispute. A complaint must generally be made within 60 days after the legal costs become payable, or, if you have requested an itemised bill, within 30 days after that request has been complied with. The Commissioner may waive these time limits in certain circumstances. Alternatively, you may apply for a costs assessment. An application for costs assessment must be made within 12 months after a bill is given or a request for payment is made, or within 12 months after the legal costs are paid if no bill or request was made. If you make a complaint to the NSW Commissioner, you cannot apply for a costs assessment unless the dispute is not resolved and you are notified of your entitlement to apply, or the Commissioner arranges a costs assessment.
Other client disclosuresDisclosure of related entities, partnering organisations and referralsIntuition Legal has related entities and professional relationships which may be relevant to your engagement. CM Migration Consultancy Pty Ltd and IHS Law Pty Ltd are companies in which Chung Man Kim and or Sean Edward Jolly are shareholders and or directors. IHS Law Pty Ltd is a law practice. CM Migration Consultancy Pty Ltd provides education consultancy services and other referral‑based, commission‑related services. Charitas Law Pty Ltd is a separate law practice and a partnering organisation of Intuition Legal. Neither Chung Man Kim nor Sean Edward Jolly is a shareholder or director of Charitas Law Pty Ltd. From time to time, Intuition Legal may refer clients to CM Migration Consultancy Pty Ltd, IHS Law Pty Ltd, Charitas Law Pty Ltd, or other third‑party service providers. Unless we expressly state otherwise, referrals made by us should be treated as commercial in nature, and we may receive a financial or other benefit in connection with a referral. You are not obliged to accept any referral made by us. You are free to engage any service provider of your choosing and your decision will not affect the legal services we provide to you. This disclosure is provided to ensure transparency and to allow you to make an informed decision. Any referral is made on the basis that we consider it may be of assistance to you and our legal advice remains independent and unaffected by whether you accept or decline a referral. If you would like further information about any referral arrangement or potential benefit, please ask us and we will provide further details.
PrivacyWe collect and use personal information in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and our privacy policy. We may disclose personal information to courts, regulators, experts, barristers, service providers, and other parties involved in your matter as required to carry out your instructions.
Electronic communicationsElectronic communications are not secure. By instructing us, you acknowledge and accept the risks associated with electronic transmission of documents.
Fee structure and costs disclosureBasis of chargingWe usually charge for our work based on the time we spend on your matter, at the hourly rate of the lawyer or staff member performing the work, plus any disbursements and GST. In some matters, we may agree on a fixed fee or fees for specific stages of work. You may discuss our fees with us at any time. You have the right to negotiate a costs agreement and to agree on how we bill you, including by task or by time.
Hourly ratesOur professional fees are generally charged by reference to the time spent on your matter, at the hourly rate applicable to the person performing the work, plus GST and any disbursements. The Lead Consultant rate is $800 plus GST. One or more Lead Consultants may be involved in a matter. A Lead Consultant has primary responsibility for all or a substantial part of the matter and may be a principal, director, or senior specialist engaged by Intuition Legal. The title “Lead Consultant” refers to the role performed on the matter and does not depend on ownership, management status, or firm hierarchy. The Consultant rate ranges between $600 and $1,500 plus GST. A Consultant is an experienced practitioner or specialist engaged to perform substantive work on the matter. The applicable rate within this range depends on the individual’s experience, seniority, specialisation, and the nature of the work performed. The rate for other team members is $300 plus GST. Other team members include lawyers, clerks, paralegals, and support staff who are not identified as a Lead Consultant or Consultant. Where barristers are engaged on your matter, their fees are charged separately as disbursements. Barristers’ rates vary depending on seniority and expertise and may fall within or outside the Consultant rate range. We will inform you of the anticipated basis and level of barristers’ fees before they are incurred.We endeavour to allocate work at an appropriate level to manage costs efficiently.
EstimatesAny cost estimate we give you is based on the information available at the time. It is not a fixed price and may change if circumstances change. If something occurs that is likely to affect the cost, we will notify you in writing as soon as reasonably practicable. Unless we clearly state in writing that we will complete specific work for a fixed fee, any reference to time, hours, or likely cost should be treated as an estimate only.
Billing and paymentBills, interim bills and itemised billsWe may issue bills from time to time for the legal services we provide, including interim bills for part of the work completed. Interim bills may be assessed either when they are issued or at the time of the final bill. We aim to bill on a regular and transparent basis. In active matters, this may be monthly. In most other matters, billing is usually quarterly, or earlier where billable work in progress exceeds $10,000. These timeframes are indicative only and may vary depending on the nature and progress of the matter. You are entitled to receive a bill for legal costs. If a bill is not itemised, or is only partly itemised, you may request an itemised bill within 30 days after the legal costs become payable. An itemised bill provides sufficient detail to explain the legal services provided. This typically includes the work performed, the professional or staff member (or level of staff member) who carried out the work, a description of the work in its broader context, the time spent or units charged where relevant, and the amount charged. An itemised bill does not require disclosure of comprehensive internal time records, raw time entries, or privileged internal communications. If a lump sum bill is issued and an itemised bill is requested which exceeds the amount stated in the lump sum bill, the additional costs may only be recovered if they are determined to be payable following a costs assessment or a binding determination.
Interest on unpaid legal costsIf a bill is not paid on time, we may charge interest. Interest is only charged if allowed under our costs agreement and the law. Where applicable, interest may be charged on amounts that remain unpaid 30 days after a bill is given, at the Reserve Bank of Australia cash rate plus 2%. We will not charge interest on a bill given more than six months after the matter is finished, unless the law allows us to do so. Trust moneyWhere applicable, we may hold money on your behalf in our trust account. If we hold trust money and legal costs remain unpaid, we may give you a bill and written notice proposing to withdraw the amount owing from the trust account. This notice will usually allow at least seven business days for you to review the bill and raise any objection, in accordance with the Legal Profession Uniform General Rules 2015 (NSW). We will only withdraw trust money if permitted by law. If you object within the notice period or there is a genuine dispute about the costs, the money will not be withdrawn unless and until the dispute is resolved by agreement, a costs assessment, or a binding determination. Any withdrawal from trust will be properly recorded and a trust account statement will be provided to you.
Costs agreementThis document constitutes a costs agreement between you and Intuition Legal only if and when it is expressly referred to by an authorised representative of Intuition Legal, for example by email or other written communication, in connection with an offer to provide legal services to you. By accepting that offer, including by confirming acceptance in writing or by continuing to instruct us after the document has been referred to you, you agree to be bound by this costs agreement and the disclosures set out in it. This costs agreement governs matters including professional fees, disbursements, billing arrangements, interim and itemised bills, interest on unpaid amounts, trust money, recovery of costs, termination of the engagement, liens, and governing law. This costs agreement does not guarantee the outcome of any matter and does not limit or exclude any rights you have under the Legal Profession Uniform Law Application Act 2014 (NSW).
Your rights in relation to legal costsunder section 192 of the Legal Profession Uniform Law Application Act 2014 (NSW)If you have a concern or dispute about our legal costs, you may first raise the issue with us so that we have the opportunity to address your concerns. You may also seek the assistance of the NSW Commissioner to help resolve a costs dispute. A complaint must generally be made within 60 days after the legal costs become payable, or, if you have requested an itemised bill, within 30 days after that request has been complied with. The Commissioner may waive these time limits in certain circumstances. Alternatively, you may apply for a costs assessment. An application for costs assessment must be made within 12 months after a bill is given or a request for payment is made, or within 12 months after the legal costs are paid if no bill or request was made. If you make a complaint to the NSW Commissioner, you cannot apply for a costs assessment unless the dispute is not resolved and you are notified of your entitlement to apply, or the Commissioner arranges a costs assessment.
Other client disclosuresDisclosure of related entities, partnering organisations and referralsIntuition Legal has related entities and professional relationships which may be relevant to your engagement. CM Migration Consultancy Pty Ltd and IHS Law Pty Ltd are companies in which Chung Man Kim and or Sean Edward Jolly are shareholders and or directors. IHS Law Pty Ltd is a law practice. CM Migration Consultancy Pty Ltd provides education consultancy services and other referral‑based, commission‑related services. Charitas Law Pty Ltd is a separate law practice and a partnering organisation of Intuition Legal. Neither Chung Man Kim nor Sean Edward Jolly is a shareholder or director of Charitas Law Pty Ltd. From time to time, Intuition Legal may refer clients to CM Migration Consultancy Pty Ltd, IHS Law Pty Ltd, Charitas Law Pty Ltd, or other third‑party service providers. Unless we expressly state otherwise, referrals made by us should be treated as commercial in nature, and we may receive a financial or other benefit in connection with a referral. You are not obliged to accept any referral made by us. You are free to engage any service provider of your choosing and your decision will not affect the legal services we provide to you. This disclosure is provided to ensure transparency and to allow you to make an informed decision. Any referral is made on the basis that we consider it may be of assistance to you and our legal advice remains independent and unaffected by whether you accept or decline a referral. If you would like further information about any referral arrangement or potential benefit, please ask us and we will provide further details.
PrivacyWe collect and use personal information in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and our privacy policy. We may disclose personal information to courts, regulators, experts, barristers, service providers, and other parties involved in your matter as required to carry out your instructions.
Electronic communicationsElectronic communications are not secure. By instructing us, you acknowledge and accept the risks associated with electronic transmission of documents.