Fees: Fixed, Transparent, Agreed in Writing
Advocate Elena Petrova sets the fee for each matter before any work starts, and the amount is written into the retainer agreement. The price depends on how complex the case is, which stage it has reached and how many documents and hearings it involves. The figures on this page are starting points, not a price list: the final quote comes after a review of your papers.
A short consultation starts from RUB 5,000. Representation in court starts from RUB 120,000 for each instance. Ongoing outside counsel for a company starts from RUB 60,000 per month.
Guideline Rates by Type of Engagement
The table shows the entry level for the most common formats. Your matter may cost more if it involves several parties, foreign documents or urgent deadlines.
| Engagement | Starting fee | What the quote usually covers |
|---|---|---|
| Consultation | from RUB 5,000 | Review of the question, oral or written answer, next steps |
| Litigation, one instance | from RUB 120,000 | Pleadings, evidence, hearings in one court |
| Outside counsel | from RUB 60,000 per month | Contracts, correspondence, routine legal questions |
| Document review | quoted individually | Analysis of a contract or court decision with comments |
How a Quote Is Prepared
You send the documents you have: contracts, letters, court papers, decisions of authorities. Scans or photos are enough at this stage. The advocate reads them, asks follow-up questions and then describes the likely procedure.
The quote is broken down by stage. For a lawsuit, that means preparation of the claim, the first instance, and separately the appeal if it becomes necessary. You see what each stage includes before you decide whether to go ahead.
What the Retainer Agreement Fixes
The written agreement names the scope of work, the fee for each stage and the payment schedule. It also states what is outside the scope, so that new tasks are discussed and priced before they are done.
If the case changes direction, for example the other side files a counterclaim, the parties sign an addendum. Work on a new task does not begin until the price for it is agreed in writing.
Disbursements Paid on Top of the Fee
Some costs are not part of the advocate's fee and are paid separately:
- state court fees set by the Tax Code;
- court-appointed expert examinations;
- notary services, apostilles and certified translations;
- postage, travel outside Moscow and registry extracts.
Each of these is agreed in advance. You receive receipts or copies of payment documents for every item.
Recovering Costs from the Other Side
In civil cases the court distributes legal costs between the parties. Under Article 98 of the Civil Procedure Code, the losing party reimburses the winner's court expenses. Article 100 allows the court to award the costs of a representative in a reasonable amount.
To use these rules, the costs must be proven. The advocate keeps the agreement, acts of completed work and payment records in order and files the application for reimbursement. The court may reduce the amount it finds excessive, so recovery is not always full.
Installments and Methods of Payment
Payment can be split into several parts, usually tied to the stages of the case. The schedule is written into the agreement, so both sides know when each payment is due.
All amounts are stated in rubles. You can pay by card, by bank transfer or against an invoice issued to a company. Foreign clients can pay by international transfer; bank charges on the sender's side are borne by the client.
Situations That Affect the Price
Several factors usually raise the estimate. Tight procedural deadlines require immediate work outside normal hours. Cases with many defendants or large volumes of evidence take more preparation time. Documents in a foreign language need translation and legalisation before they can be used in a Russian court.
Other factors keep the cost lower. A clear set of documents from the start saves hours of requests to archives and registries. A dispute that can be settled by a claim letter or negotiation often ends before a lawsuit is needed. The advocate tells you at the start which route looks realistic for your matter.
The main channel of communication with the advocate is email: lawyer@lawyer-moscow.com.