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Reasonable fees for a Polish attorney as victim in criminal case


Fraud Victim
8 Jan 2025   #1
I recently had to file a criminal fraud complaint. My financial losses are quite high. I can retain a Polish lawyer in Warsaw to represent my rights as the victim. How much is reasonable to pay? The offer I have is EUR 500 net for each participation in actions scheduled in the case. Is this a good deal or not?
Alien  25 | 6172
9 Jan 2025   #2
My financial losses are quite high

How much is the amount involved? The size of the amount rather influences the amount of the fee.
cms neuf  1 | 1783
9 Jan 2025   #4
Sounds on the high side - 200 to 250 zloty an hour is more normal for a small case like that.
Alien  25 | 6172
9 Jan 2025   #5
70,000 Polish Zlotych

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.
Fraud Victim  - | 5
10 Jan 2025   #6
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.
cms neuf  1 | 1783
10 Jan 2025   #7
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
Fraud Victim  - | 5
11 Jan 2025   #8
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

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  - | 5
12 Jan 2025   #9
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?
Alien  25 | 6172
12 Jan 2025   #10
@Fraud Victim
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.
cms neuf  1 | 1783
12 Jan 2025   #11
Not here - it's not a legal forum

So the 8000 looks about the same as the first offer of 500 euro per action.

I don't know what your case is about, but nobody's going to do it for less than 5000 zloty unless it's very simple
Fraud Victim  - | 5
12 Jan 2025   #12
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.


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