Attorney’s fees in the Philippines depend on the work, the agreement, and applicable professional rules. A useful engagement letter explains exactly what the lawyer will do, how charges arise, what expenses are separate, and how the relationship can end. A label such as “retainer” cannot do all of that work.
The CPRA is the current professional-responsibility framework for fee and client-relationship questions. Use it when reviewing the agreement, including reasonableness and applicable restrictions. There is no universal fee table in this guide, and no suggested clause overrides a lawyer’s duties.
Define the fee rather than relying on its name
Ask the client to explain the arrangement back in ordinary language. If the client believes a fixed fee covers an appeal while the lawyer intended to cover trial only, resolve that difference before signing.
| Common label | What the agreement should explain |
|---|---|
| Acceptance fee | What initial engagement or work it covers and when it is earned |
| General retainer | Availability, services included, exclusions, and billing frequency |
| Advance for future work | How it is held, applied, accounted for, and refunded where required |
| Hourly fee | Rates, increments, recording, and approval of changes |
| Fixed fee | Deliverable, assumptions, excluded stages, and variation process |
| Contingent arrangement | Lawfulness, calculation, expenses, and outcome conditions |
Write scope with an endpoint
Name the client and matter, then define the included stage or deliverable. “Represent you in all legal matters” is too broad for most individual engagements. Identify who can authorize instructions when the client is an organization.
A scope clause might identify a review of one draft contract and one round of comments, with negotiations and litigation excluded unless separately agreed. The exact terms must fit the work; the point is to describe an endpoint a client can recognize.
Explain expenses, taxes, and invoices
List the categories of possible disbursements and explain when advance approval is needed. Distinguish money held for filing fees or other client purposes from fees earned by the firm. Specify whether quoted professional fees include applicable taxes.
State when invoices will be issued, how the client can query a charge, and the payment reference to use. Avoid imposing unexplained adjustments through a late invoice. Any change to rates or scope should follow the agreed process and applicable professional duties.
Use the free engagement letter as a starting document
The downloadable text includes fields for parties, scope, fee basis, expenses, client funds, communications, privacy, termination, and signatures. It deliberately leaves financial terms blank so that nobody mistakes an example amount for a recommended market fee.
Have the handling lawyer adapt it to the actual engagement and current law. Complete a conflict check and confirm authority to instruct before accepting the matter. A signed template cannot cure an impermissible conflict or an unreasonable term.
A pre-signing review
After signing, store the approved engagement against the matter and give the billing team a concise summary. Staff should be able to see the fee basis and billing contact without interpreting a long contract every time an invoice is prepared.
- •The client’s identity and authorized instructing person are clear.
- •Included work, excluded work, and endpoint are specific.
- •The fee basis and applicable tax treatment are understandable.
- •Expenses and approval thresholds are stated.
- •Advances, accounting, and any refund treatment are explained.
- •Communication channels and client responsibilities are practical.
- •Termination and handover terms respect applicable duties.
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Frequently asked questions
Is there one standard acceptance fee for Philippine lawyers?
No universal amount is supplied here. The proper fee depends on the engagement, agreement, and applicable rules on reasonableness and professional conduct.
Can I use the engagement template without editing it?
It is a drafting starting point. A lawyer should complete the blanks, adapt the scope and financial terms, and review it against the actual client and matter.
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