For clarity and in all areas of our work at VIGO, we decide at the very beginning of our relationship with our clients how our fees are to be paid according to two essential principles: flexibility and transparency.

From our experience of listening to our clients, we have learned that whether a company or an individual, our clients are not happy with a fixed method of invoicing being imposed on them regardless of their requirements.

Considering their needs, the requirements that they have of our legal services and the nature of the matter, we agree with them the most suitable method of invoicing.

This joint decision of the method of invoicing for our services revolves around three fee types:

• time based fees (relating to the time spent by our fee-earners on a matter)
• fixed fees
• success fees 

on the understanding that none of these methods is necessarily fixed for the duration of the relationship between VIGO and our clients.

The hourly rate depends, for partners, on their professional experience and their reputation; for associates, it is based on their years of professional experience as a lawyer.

For fixed fees, in the interest of transparency, a framework is accurately agreed in consultation with the client based on the steps to be taken and, where appropriate, any procedural deadlines that apply.

Regarding success fees, naturally they are only considered in strict compliance with our rules of conduct (as such, this involves signing a specific fee agreement and cannot be the only method of charging fees used for a matter).

In any case, at VIGO we are able to provide our clients, at all times, with detailed and up-to-date information on the level of fees charged and any outstanding charges in on-going cases.

With regard to administrative costs, the firm's policy is not to charge our clients for these (e.g., photocopying, postage, and telecommunications).
However, in extraordinary circumstances costs and disbursements that may be required to progress a matter are paid by the firm and then recovered from our client. These are essentially: the cost of copy documents required by the courts; the costs of additional copying requiring the assistance of someone external or the acquisition of specific documentation; fees for carriers and couriers; and, travel expenses for trips outside the office.

Usually, the costs of legal documents (the cost of “Huissiers” and “de postulation” in particular) are paid for directly by the client, but the firm will advance the monies in cases of urgency.

Any charges that have to be made in this respect are done so without any profit margin.

Furthermore, in accordance with the Law n ° 78-17 "Informatique et Liberté" of 6 January 1978, we hereby inform you that we will process personal data relating to your case and that you are entitled either to oppose this or to have access to the relevant information and to request its correction or deletion at any time.

Finally, in accordance with our rules of professional secrecy which is general, absolute and inalienable, and which no one can ask a lawyer to breach, not even his client, VIGO  promises not to disclose to anyone the personal data collected, which is limited to what is strictly necessary to protect the interests of our clients.