Working with the firm · Quirós & Quirós
Professional fees: clarity to plan your procedure
We explain the work your matter requires, the fees and the expected expenses so that you can plan your resources before engaging the firm.
On this page
Getting started
Key points
- Fees pay for the professional work agreed upon.
- Taxes, charges and third-party services are separate items.
- The proposal must specify the scope and payment terms.
- The firm explains the costs to help you plan.
Understanding what you are paying for
A legal services proposal should make clear what work is being entrusted and how it will be charged. Consultation, document preparation and representation may each have different scopes. Our aim is to listen to your situation, explain the work needed and clarify the financial commitments before starting.
The fee reference in Panama
Agreement 609-A of 2021 of the Corte Suprema de Justicia approves the minimum professional fee schedule for lawyers. Applying it requires identifying the subject matter, the action and the relevant rules. The firm seeks to align its proposal with the applicable framework and explain the fee schedule and scope of the procedure to the client.
Professional fees and procedural expenses
Certificates, publications, notarial services, registration, taxes, experts and other outlays may be necessary depending on the matter. They should not be confused with the lawyer's fees. The proposal distinguishes known items from those dependent on later actions or third-party quotations.
What the proposal includes
The matter, agreed actions and payment terms are identified. When a later stage, appeal or additional dispute requires new work, how it will be handled must be clarified. An initial estimate is reviewed if circumstances change the scope, with an explanation of their impact before accepting the additional engagement.
Discussing before deciding
You can raise questions about the estimate and how to arrange payments. The firm's team helps you understand the proposal; overall fee coordination is not assigned to a single person in the DGI practice. The aim is for you to understand the service, its expenses and the decisions you need to make to move forward.
How we proceed
Your matter, step by step
- We listen to your situation
Tell us what you need to resolve and share the available documents. The legal team identifies the work your matter requires and what information is missing to prepare a proposal or define an initial review, where appropriate.
- We explain the proposal
We specify the included actions and stages, fees and known expenses. We also identify what needs confirmation and how additional work would be handled, so you can understand each item and raise any questions.
- We agree on getting started
When defining the service, we explain payment terms and next steps. The firm's team answers your questions and organizes outstanding information so you understand the scope and terms of the work.
Preparing for your consultation
- The service or procedure you wish to entrust to us.
- Documents and actions that help define the scope of the work.
- The proposal received and questions about expenses or stages.
Fees, expenses and timing
Our proposal identifies the work included, our fees and the external expenses relevant to the engagement. If another service or an additional stage is needed, we explain its scope and terms before adding it.
Timing depends on the documents, participants’ availability and the specific procedures. When defining the engagement, we distinguish our preparation timetable from dates that depend on third parties or an authority.
Your questions answered
Select a question to read the answer in our central question catalogue.
- Which rule establishes minimum lawyers’ fees in Panama?
- How does the firm determine fees for my procedure?
- Do legal fees include taxes and procedural expenses?
- Can I ask about costs before I have all the documents?
- How will I know when payments are due?
- What if additional work becomes necessary during the procedure?
Working with our firm
A clearly defined engagement
- Explanation of the proposal and the actions it covers.
- Identification of expenses and payment terms.
- Communication of scope extensions that require agreement.
Our proposal sets out which of these services you need and the terms of our engagement.