The legal services market is changing. Here’s how to benefit when engaging your lawyer.

Engaging a lawyer can be daunting. You may have a feeling of anxiety because you don’t know how much it’s going to cost, and many lawyers don’t discuss potential costs or estimate their fees in a way that makes a client feel secure.

In 2009 the then Federal Attorney-General Robert McClelland stated that “the critical test is whether our justice system is fair, simple, affordable and accessible”¹. The Australian legal system has been renowned for its high prices, rendering legal services unaffordable for many Australians.

Statistics show that this has meant law firms have become “more willing to take on business while offering steeper discounts”², and “the environment is too competitive to allow firms to engage in business as usual while their clients are demanding innovation and cost containment”³. This is a win for clients.