Lawyer Referral Fee Calculator

Yes, with strict disclosure rules. Each state Legal Profession Act and the Australian Solicitors Conduct Rules (Rule 12) require referral arrangements to be disclosed to the client in writing before work begins. Some categories of referral are prohibited - notably personal injury referrals from medical practitioners are banned in NSW and VIC. Always check the specific rules for your jurisdiction and area of practice.

Sometimes. The Solicitors Conduct Rules permit fee sharing only with other lawyers, but they distinguish between (1) sharing legal fees (restricted) and (2) paying a marketing or introduction fee for a referral (more permissive). Marketing fees to estate agents, financial planners, or business advisors are common for general commercial and conveyancing work. Personal injury referrals are heavily restricted. Get advice on your specific jurisdiction.

Wide range. Conveyancing matters are typically $1.5k to $3k flat fee. Commercial transactions are $5k to $50k+ for mid-market work. Litigation matters are billed hourly ($350 to $850 per hour for senior practitioners) with no cap, totaling $30k to $500k+ over a multi-year dispute. Family law and immigration tend to be quoted at fixed-fee stages. The referral fee typically applies to the first matter only.

A written agreement between a law firm and a referrer (another lawyer, accountant, financial planner, business broker, real estate agent) specifying: the referral fee percentage, what counts as a qualifying referral, the disclosure obligation to the client, payment timing, and the duration of the arrangement. The disclosure must always be made to the client in writing before the matter begins.

Yes, if both parties are GST-registered (almost always for law firms). The fee carries 10% GST on top of the headline amount. The paying firm claims it back as input tax credit. Tax invoice formalities apply. Some referral arrangements with non-business sources (a personal contact who refers their own friends) sit outside GST entirely.