New Bar Scale of Fees a revision to 2015 fees – GBA PRO

The Public Relations Officer of the Ghana Bar Association (GBA), Saviour Quarcoo Kudze has said the new Bar Scale of Fees recently adopted by the GBA, is simply an amendment to the 2015 fees adopted by the lawyering association. 

He spoke to Dennislaw News on the side of the 2022 Bench, Bar, and Faculty conference.

“But I must say that, many of the fees are in ranges, the minimum I don’t think it’s too much. But the only thing is that lawyers cannot charge below the minimum, but it is negotiable. So nobody should think that it’s cast in iron, the minimum is there, that is why it is a range,” he said. 

Even though the new Bar scale of fees was approved at the just-ended conference, implementation is yet to begin, Mr. Kudze noted. 

“It would have to go through a few formalities before we start implementing that,” he explained. 

The Scale of Fees covers charges for professional services rendered by lawyers. Quoted in both Ghana Cedis and US Dollars, they are to be applied to services rendered to Ghanaian clients and international clients respectively. 

New Bar Scale of fees in contrast to 2015 Bar Scale of Fees

A. Initial Consultation Fees Ghanaian clients

 i. Senior Counsel (10+years) - GH¢2,000.00 maximum

 ii. Counsel (5-9 years) - GH¢1,500.00 maximum 

iii. Junior Counsel (under 5 years) - GH¢1,000.00 maximum 

International clients

 i. Senior Counsel (10+years) - US$500 - $1,000 maximum 

ii. Counsel (5-9 years) - US$375-$750 maximum 

iii. Junior Counsel (under 5 years) - US250-$500 maximum Counsel may charge hourly rates for an extended Initial Consultation.

In 2015 - Initial Consultation Fees Ghanaian clients

      i. Senior Counsel (10+years) - GH¢1,000 maximum

     ii.Counsel (5-9 years)- GH¢750 maximum

     iii.Junior Counsel (under 5 years)- GH¢500 maximum

International clients

1. Senior Counsel (10+years) - US$500 - $1,000 maximum
2. Counsel (5-9 years) - US$375 - $750 maximum
3. Junior Counsel (under 5 years) - US250 - $500 maximum

B. Hourly Rates 

(i) Senior Counsel (10+years) - GH¢2,000.00 - GH¢4,000.00 

(ii) Counsel (5-9 years) - GH¢1,000.00 - GH¢3,000.00

(iii) Junior Counsel (under 5 years) - GH¢600.00 - GH¢2,000.00 

International clients 

(i) Senior Counsel (10+years) - US$500 - US$1,000 

(ii) Counsel (5-9 years) - US$375 - US$750

(iii) Junior Counsel (under 5 years) - US$250 - US$500

In 2015 - Hourly Rates

(i) Senior Counsel (10+years) - GH¢1,000 - GH¢2,000

(ii) Counsel (5-9 years) GH¢500 - GH¢1500

(iii)Junior Counsel (under 5 years) - GH¢300- GH¢1000

International clients

(i)Senior Counsel (10+years) - US$500 - US$1,000

(ii)Counsel (5-9 years) - US$375 - US$750

(iii)Junior Counsel (under 5 years) - US$250 - US$500

Retainer Fees 

The minimum rate for retainer may be GH¢8,000.00 per month depending on the scope of work contained in the retainer provided that the clients shall be entitled to free consultation in addition to a discount of up to 20% for other legal services.

In 2015 - Retainer Fees

The minimum rate for retainer may be GH¢4,000.00 per month depending on the scope of work contained in the retainer provided that the clients shall be entitled to free consultation in addition to a discount of up to 20% for other legal services.

Brief Fees in the Circuit & High Courts 

Human Rights Litigation - GH¢12,000.00 - GH¢60,000.00 or hourly rates would apply if the hourly rates involved exceed GH¢60,000.00. In 2015 - GH¢6,000 - GH¢30,000 or hourly rates would apply if the hourly rates involved exceed GH¢30,000.

Libel Litigation - GH¢30,000.00 to GH¢60,000.00 or hourly rates would apply if the hourly rates involved exceed GH¢60,000.00. In 2015 - GH¢15,000 to GH¢30,000 or hourly rates would apply if the hourly rates involved exceed GH¢30,000.

Dissolution & Custody only GH¢30,000.00 – GH¢90,000.00 or hourly rates would apply if the hourly rates involved exceed GH¢90,000.00. In 2015 - Dissolution & Custody only GH¢15,000 – GH¢45,000 or hourly rates would apply if the hourly rates involved exceed GH¢45,000

Directorship litigation GH¢60,000.00 – GH¢120,000.00 or hourly rates would apply if the hourly rates involved exceed GH¢120,000.00. In 2015 - Directorship litigation GH¢30,000 – GH¢60,000 or hourly rates would apply if the hourly rates involved exceed GH¢60,000.

Insolvency Litigation GH¢10,000.00 minimum. In 2015 - Insolvency Litigation GH¢5,000 minimum.

Criminal Trials

Bail Application – GH¢5,000.00 – GH¢30,000.00. In 2015 - Bail Application – GH¢2,500 – GH¢15,000

Misdemeanor Trials – GH¢30,000.00 – GH¢60,000.00. In 2015 - Misdemeanor Trials – GH¢15,000 – GH¢30,000

Felony Trials – GH¢60,000.00 – GH¢120,000.00. In 2015 - Felony Trials - GH¢30,000 – GH¢60,000

- Indictable Trials – GH¢40,000.00 – GH¢300,000.00. In 2015 - Indictable Trials – GH¢20,000 –GH¢150,000

Criminal Watching Briefs – GH¢20,000.00 – GH¢60,000.00. In 2015 -Criminal Watching Briefs - GH¢10,000 – GH¢30,000

Brief Fees for Appeals, Civil Appeals

High Court - 15% of value of subject matter or if no value then GH¢90,000.00 – GH¢180,000.00. In 2015 it was 15% of value of subject matter or if no value then GH¢45,000 – GH¢90,000

Court of Appeal - 15% of value or if no value GH¢120,000.00 – GH¢300,000.00. In 2015 it was 15% of value or if no value GH¢60,000 – GH¢150,000

Supreme Court - 15% of value or if no value GH¢300,000.00 – GH¢600,000.00. In 2015 it was 15% of value or if no value GH¢150,000 – GH¢300,000

Review Application - 20% of value of if no value GH¢150,000.00 – GH¢300,000.00. In 2015 it was 20% of value of if no value GH¢75,000 – GH¢150,000

Criminal Appeals 

High Court - GH¢60,000.00 – GH¢150,000.00. In 2015 it was GH¢30,000 – GH¢75,000.

Court of Appeal - GH¢150,000.00 – GH¢240,000.00. In 2015 it was GH¢75,000 – GH¢120,000

Supreme Court - GH¢150,000.00 – GH¢300,000.00. In 2015 it was GH¢75,000 – GH¢150,000

Legal Opinion Writing 

Intra-Country - minimum rate of GH¢20,000.00 - Cross-Border- minimum rate of US$6,000 (Ghana Cedi equivalent). In 2015 - Intra-Country - minimum rate of GH¢10,000- Cross-Border -minimum rate of US$6,000 (Ghana Cedi equivalent). 

Wills 

Simple wills (without any trust or limitation or dispositions) – GH¢6,000.00 maximum, or hourly rates will apply if the hours exceed GH¢6,000.00. In 2015 it was GH¢3000 maximum.

Complicated wills – GH¢18,000.00 maximum, or hourly rates will apply if the hours exceed GH¢18,000.00. In 2015, it was GH¢9000 maximum.