#25
During RepresentationHigh Risk
The lawyer keeps adding fees with a new justification each time
Drip-Feed Billing
Why It's Dangerous
Beyond the fees agreed in the contract, the lawyer keeps adding charges under various pretexts — 'need an expert,' 'extra investigation required,' 'case more complex than expected.' Each amount is small, but they add up to far more than planned. This is classic drip-feed billing.
Real Case
A client agreed to a RMB 50,000 legal fee at signing. The lawyer then added four separate charges for 'investigation fees,' 'expert consultation,' and 'expedited processing,' totaling over RMB 30,000 more. The quality of the case work didn't improve despite the extra payments.
* This case has been anonymized. Details have been adjusted to protect privacy.
What To Do
1
At signing, clearly agree on all fees, including any potential additional costs2
Refuse any charges outside the contract unless there is written justification3
For each additional fee, demand a written breakdown and explanation from the lawyer4
If fees are being added frequently, consider whether you need to switch lawyers