Fraud Victim
9 Jan 2025
Law / Reasonable fees for a Polish attorney as victim in criminal case [12]
Over 70,000 Polish Zlotych.
Over 70,000 Polish Zlotych.
Fraud Victim
10 Jan 2025
Law / Reasonable fees for a Polish attorney as victim in criminal case [12]
I think it is a premium for a attorney who speaks English. I got a second attorney who will give me an initial consultation for $80 US. No response about fees after that. They would have better success at gaining my business by offering a free initial consultation and being clearer about their fees. Largely, they are liaising with the prosecutor's office, and not doing the heavy lifting themselves. The high rates don't seem justified.
Sounds on the high side - 200 to 250 zloty an hour is more normal for a small case like that.
I think it is a premium for a attorney who speaks English. I got a second attorney who will give me an initial consultation for $80 US. No response about fees after that. They would have better success at gaining my business by offering a free initial consultation and being clearer about their fees. Largely, they are liaising with the prosecutor's office, and not doing the heavy lifting themselves. The high rates don't seem justified.
Fraud Victim
11 Jan 2025
Law / Reasonable fees for a Polish attorney as victim in criminal case [12]
Well the first attorney wants 500 Euro for each participation in the case, but no consultation fee. Another attorney wants 80 Euro for a half hour consultation, but no word about fees after that, and a third attorney wants 450 PLN net +23% VAT for an hour consultation, but no word about fees after that. I am still waiting to hear from some other attorneys in Warsaw. I hoping just to find someone competent to represent my interests in the matter.
The prices I gave were for an English speaker. In fact almost all educated poles under 40 have good English these days
I understand your approach but there is a big backlog in courts at the moment and it doesn't make sense for lawyers to use that model
I understand your approach but there is a big backlog in courts at the moment and it doesn't make sense for lawyers to use that model
Well the first attorney wants 500 Euro for each participation in the case, but no consultation fee. Another attorney wants 80 Euro for a half hour consultation, but no word about fees after that, and a third attorney wants 450 PLN net +23% VAT for an hour consultation, but no word about fees after that. I am still waiting to hear from some other attorneys in Warsaw. I hoping just to find someone competent to represent my interests in the matter.
Fraud Victim
12 Jan 2025
Law / Reasonable fees for a Polish attorney as victim in criminal case [12]
I just got another offer from an attorney for 8000 PLN. It seems quite high. Where do I find an attorney in Warsaw who isn't gouging me on the fees?
According to German tables, for a case of this value, attorney fees amount to approximately €700 in total, plus travel costs and possibly other costs, plus VAT. However, the lawyer has the right to agree on other costs.
I just got another offer from an attorney for 8000 PLN. It seems quite high. Where do I find an attorney in Warsaw who isn't gouging me on the fees?
Fraud Victim
12 Jan 2025
Law / Reasonable fees for a Polish attorney as victim in criminal case [12]
The prosecutor will do the heavy lifting, but a private attorney can represent my interests a little better, maybe protect my privacy more and collect more money through mediation, etc. I suspect that is the Polish equivalent of a plea bargain, i.e., return the money, pay my other expenses, etc. As I am not presently in the country, I also want an agent in the country to get the notifications from the court. I just don't want to overpay for what I get, and hopefully, I can recover the legal expenses as well. That could happen, but won't if the court determines my lawyer overcharged me for his/her services.
I don't know if you even need a lawyer, especially if there's going to be a criminal trial. As far as I know, you are represented in such cases by the prosecutor. It's different in a civil trial. You need a lawyer there.
The prosecutor will do the heavy lifting, but a private attorney can represent my interests a little better, maybe protect my privacy more and collect more money through mediation, etc. I suspect that is the Polish equivalent of a plea bargain, i.e., return the money, pay my other expenses, etc. As I am not presently in the country, I also want an agent in the country to get the notifications from the court. I just don't want to overpay for what I get, and hopefully, I can recover the legal expenses as well. That could happen, but won't if the court determines my lawyer overcharged me for his/her services.