Fees

Transparency and predictability at the heart of our client relationships

At Godard & Associés, we believe in clear and transparent pricing. From our first discussion, we present our fee structure and provide a precise cost estimate for your case.

Our goal: no surprises, a relationship of trust based on transparency.

Our Fee Structures

For clearly defined matters, we offer a global fixed fee covering the entire service. This formula gives you complete visibility on your case cost.

Fixed fee examples:

Company formation: from €2,000 excl. VAT
Terms & Conditions drafting: from €1,500 excl. VAT
GDPR compliance audit: from €3,000 excl. VAT
Negotiated termination (employee counsel): from €1,200 excl. VAT
Shareholders' agreement (startup): from €3,500 excl. VAT

The fixed fee is agreed in advance and remains unchanged, except for explicitly validated mission extensions.

In certain litigations or transactional matters, we may agree to success fees in addition to base fees. This additional compensation is contingent on achieving a favorable result.

Conditions:

Always in addition to base compensation (hourly rates or fixed fee)
Percentage agreed in advance (typically 5% to 15% of amount at stake)
Particularly applicable in M&A, fundraising, compensatory litigation

This structure perfectly aligns our interests with yours.

The most common billing method, suitable for advisory and litigation matters. We bill the time actually spent on your case according to an hourly rate that varies based on the lawyer's experience and case complexity.

Indicative hourly rates:

Partners: €300 - €450 excl. VAT/hour
Senior associates: €200 - €300 excl. VAT/hour
Junior associates: €150 - €200 excl. VAT/hour

Each month, you receive a detailed time sheet of hours spent on your case with descriptions of work performed.

Expenses and Disbursements

In addition to our fees, certain expenses should be anticipated:

Administrative costs: travel expenses, copies, registered mail
Disbursements: court fees, registration duties, bailiff, expert fees
VAT: 20% applicable on fees

All these costs are communicated in advance and rebilled at actual cost, without markup.

Payment Terms

Retainers: depending on case nature, we may request a retainer on account of future services
Billing: monthly (hourly rates) or upon completion (fixed fee)
Payment: bank transfer, check (15-day term after invoice receipt)
Late payment: late payment interest and a fixed fee of €40 will apply for delays

We remain available to adapt our billing terms to your situation.

Fee Agreement

In accordance with regulations, we systematically establish a written fee agreement before starting any engagement.

This document specifies:

The nature and scope of the engagement
The fee structure retained
Any revision conditions
Payment terms
Terms for terminating the mandate

This agreement is signed by both parties and you keep an original copy.

Free Initial Consultation

We offer a free 30-minute initial consultation with no obligation. This consultation allows us to:

Understand your situation and needs
Assess your case complexity
Propose an adapted legal strategy
Provide a precise fee estimate

This first discussion commits you to nothing. You then decide, with full knowledge, whether to entrust us with your case.

Frequently Asked Questions

Change the text and add your own content, including any information that is relevant to share.
This is a paragraph where you can include any information you’d like. It’s an opportunity to tell a story about the company.
Describe a feature you’d like to share about this company or highlight a particular service it offers.