Stewart Attorneys

Transparent Legal Fees & Tariffs

Fixed fee structures provided in writing before legal work begins. No unapproved disbursements.

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Traditional Billing Drawbacks

  • close 6-minute billing units that charge for every brief phone call and email read.
  • close Unexpected disbursements for printing, scanning, travel, and telephone charges.
  • close Retainer deposits depleted with zero visibility into daily burn rate.
  • close Jargon that obscures realistic financial exposure.
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Our Fee Guarantees

  • check Binding fee quotations provided in writing before instructions start.
  • check Zero markup on third-party costs. Full disbursement pre-approval.
  • check Fixed-rate packages for divorces, bail assessments, and estate planning.
  • check Plain language explanations of your realistic financial exposure.

Published Legal Tariffs (2026)

All standard consultation packages are fixed and transparent.

Service Category Description & Scope Fee Structure Action
Initial Strategy Consultation 45-minute comprehensive legal evaluation, risk assessment, and written action plan with Director or Senior Associate. R 1,250 incl. VAT Book Now
Uncontested Divorce Package Drafting Settlement Agreement, parenting plan, Summons, High Court filing, and formal court appearance for decree. From R 8,500 fixed milestone fee Enquire
Urgent After-Hours Bail Dispatch Immediate telephone intervention with SAPS IO, Section 59 police station attendance, and bail processing. R 2,500 flat intake assessment Dispatch
Antenuptial Contract (ANC) Consultation, drafting with or without accrual, notarial execution, and Deeds Office registration. R 2,950 all-inclusive Book Now
Last Will & Testament Standard single or joint Will drafted in full compliance with Wills Act 7 of 1953, safe document safekeeping. R 1,800 flat fee Book Now
Deceased Estate Administration Full executor service, Master's Office reporting, and Liquidation & Distribution accounts. Statutory 3.5% on gross assets Consult
ESTIMATE YOUR COSTS

Interactive Fee Estimator

Select your matter type to see transparent estimated price brackets.

Estimated Fee Bracket

R 1,250

Fixed 45-minute consultation inclusive of VAT and preliminary brief.

Our Client Bill of Rights

You have the absolute right to receive written monthly ledgers, to inspect our disbursements, and to reject unapproved counsel expenses. We serve under the strict ethical code of the Legal Practice Council of South Africa.

UNDERSTANDING LEGAL COSTS

How Legal Fees Work in South African Courts

Understanding the distinction between statutory court tariffs and agreed professional fees empowers you to make informed decisions before litigating.

Statutory Scale

Party-and-Party Costs

The official court tariff regulated under High Court Rule 70 or Magistrate's Court Rule 33. When you win a court case with costs, the losing party is ordered to pay on this scale.

Reality: Party-and-party costs typically cover only 40% to 60% of an attorney's actual operational work, determined by the Taxing Master.
Mandate Scale

Attorney-and-Client Costs

The fee agreed between you and your attorney for all consultations, legal research, pleadings, correspondence, and court preparations necessary to win your matter.

Our Policy: Governed by Section 35 of the Legal Practice Act 28 of 2014. We provide fixed milestone fees so you never face open-ended hourly billing.
Third-Party Outlays

Regulated Disbursements

Direct out-of-pocket expenses paid to external statutory bodies: Sheriff of the Court service fees, Deeds Registry levies, and Master's Office stamps.

100% Passthrough: We charge disbursements at exact statutory cost with zero mark-up or administrative surcharge.
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Section 86 Trust Account Protection

All retainer deposits are placed in our audited Section 86 Trust Bank Account. Funds remain your property until milestone work is delivered and invoiced. Every cent is backed by the Legal Practitioners Fidelity Fund of South Africa.

Request Written Fee Mandate
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