When we agree to represent a client for a lawsuit litigation, conciliation, or out-of-court negotiation, we prepare a letter of engagement contract that stipulates the lawyer’s fee. The client must pay some of these fees, and all expenses, even if the result is unfavorable. The fee structure can include an Initial Fee, Contingency Fee, an Actual Fee, and an Allowance.

※　In the event that we receive any funds related to our representation of you, including settlement or award proceeds, we may use these amounts to satisfy your fee and expense obligations before disbursing the balance to you.

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Q1: What is the Initial Fee (CHAKUSHU-KIN) and how is it calculated?

The Initial Fee is a non-refundable amount that the client pays upon our agreement to represent them, before any legal services are rendered.

  • For cases not requiring English-language skills:
    • The standard rate is approximately 8% of the claimed economic interest.
    • For the portion exceeding 3 million, the rate decreases to 5%.
  • For cases involving English communications:
    • The standard rate ranges between 12-15% of the claimed economic interest.
    • For the portion exceeding 3 million, the rate decreases to 8-10%.

→　What happens if you represent me for additional matters?

If we agree to represent you in any other matters, you will need to pay an engagement fee for each individual engagement. The engagement fee is considered earned by the firm upon receipt.

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Q2: What is the Contingency Fee (HOUSHUU-KIN) and how is it determined?

The Contingency Fee is calculated based on the economic interest secured for the client at the conclusion of the matter.

  • For cases handled solely in Japanese:
    • The standard rate is 16% of the secured economic interest.
    • For the portion exceeding 3 million, the rate decreases to 10%.
  • For cases involving English communications:
    • The standard rate increases to 24% of the secured economic interest.
    • For the portion exceeding 3 million, the rate decreases to 15%.

→　What happens to the Contingency Fee if I decide to file an appeal?

If you wish to file an appeal, you only need to pay the attorney fees associated with the final appellate case filed unless otherwise specified.

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Q3: What is the Allowance for trips (NITTOU)?

The Allowance is a daily fee clients pay when members of our firm must travel to perform the legal services associated with your matter.

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Q4: What are Actual Fees (JIPPI)?

Actual Fees cover payments for revenue stamps, postage, copying, communication, transportation, and accommodation. You are also responsible for security deposits, court filing expenses, and any other required expenditure associated with your case.

→　How are Actual Fees estimated and paid?

We can provide an estimate of the legal expenses when we agree to represent you, which you can pay upfront, or we can charge you each time these expenses are incurred.

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（For your convenience, we have compiled the aforementioned information into a chart below, which also includes Japanese translations for your reference.）

Initial Fee
報酬金は，事件等が終了したとき（勝訴判決・和解成立・調停成立・示談成立などの場合）に，成功の程度に応じて，委任事務処理の対価でお支払いいただくものです。なお，民事事件を上級審まで引き続いて受任したときの報酬金は，特に定めのない限り，最終審の報酬金のみをお支払いいただくこととなっています。
8%
of claimed economic interest
( or 5% for the portion => 3mil)

Initial Fee (CHAKUSHU-KIN, also called Attorney Engagement Fee) is the non-refundable sum of money a client pays to the attorney when the attorney agrees to represent the client and before any legal services are provided.  If the firm agrees to represent the client with respect to any other matters, the client pays an engagement fee for each individual engagement.  The engagement fee is considered to be earned by the firm upon receipt and, therefore, is not a fee paid in advance.
Contingency fee
報酬金は，事件等が終了したとき（勝訴判決・和解成立・調停成立・示談成立などの場合）に，成功の程度に応じて，委任事務処理の対価でお支払いいただくものです。なお，民事事件を上級審まで引き続いて受任したときの報酬金は，特に定めのない限り，最終審の報酬金のみをお支払いいただくこととなっています。
16%
of economic interest secured
( or 10% for the portion >= 3mil)

Contingency fee(HOUSHUU-KIN) is calculated in proportion to the amount of economic interest gained for the client at the conclusion of a matter, such as when a judgment has been rendered in the client’s favor, when a settlement has been reached, or when a conciliation or alternative dispute resolution case has been completed.  If we agree to continue representing a client who wishes to file an appeal, the client is only obligated to pay the attorney fees associated with the final appellate case filed, unless otherwise specified. 
Allowance
日当は，弁護士がその仕事のために遠方に出張しなければならない場合にお支払いいただくものです。		Attorney Allowance for trips(NITTOU) is a daily allowance a client pays, in addition to the legal expenses described below, when members of our firm must travel in order to perform the legal services associated with the client’s matter.
Actual Fee
実費は，収入印紙代・郵便切手代・謄写料，交通通信費，宿泊料などに充当するものです。その他に，保証金，保管金，供託金などに当てるためにお預かりする金額もあります。これらは，事件のご依頼時に概算額でお預かりするか，支出の都度にお支払いいただきます。		Actual Fee (JIPPI, also called Legal Expenses) include payments for revenue stamps, postage, copying, communication, transportation and accommodation.  Clients are also responsible for security deposits, court filing expenses and any other required expenditure associated with the case.  The firm can provide an estimate of the legal expenses and the client can pay when the firm agrees to represent the client, or the firm can charge the client each time these legal expenses will be incurred.




協議のうえ決定した弁護士の報酬については，お預かりしている金銭（仮差押・仮処分保証金，供託金，相手方からの支払金など）と相殺させていただく場合もありますのでご了承下さい。
If the attorney receives funds from the client or a third party in relation to the firm’s representation of a client, including funds related to a provisional seizure, a security deposit for provisional disposition, deposit money, or settlement or award proceeds, the firm may draw from these amounts to satisfy the client’s fee and expense obligations described in this document before the firm disburses the balance to the client.