Our Fees
Here at Charles Pieterse Attorneys Inc fair pricing is an important part of our ethos. We want the fees that we charge you as a client to be of great value to you but to also reflect a fair price for our skills and experience – without compromising the quality of service or the respect we have for our staff.
Making you aware of the fees.
We want you to be fully aware of the services we are proposing, the reason why we are proposing it and of the fees that you will pay for those services. We also want you to be aware of when your fees will be due. In the spirit of this please scroll down to view our fee structures.
NOTE:
Accounts are immediately payable and only a 14 day grace period is given for payments to avoid interest and to be entitled to any possible discount, if granted.
In addition to the charges below a 10% collection commission will be charged on all monies collected from any third party. (This fee is payable regardless of whether it is a collection matter or not and regardless of whether money is received by Charles Pieterse or client itself, after case is handed over to attorney.)
A 10% drawing fee will be added to all specified accounts rendered.
Determine which fee structure applies to you
The Magistrates Courts have jurisdiction over minor criminal matters. They cannot try cases of murder, treason, rape, terrorism, or sabotage. They can sentence a person to a maximum of 3 years in prison or a maximum fine of R100 000.
They also have jurisdiction in civil matters when the claims are for less than R 200 000.00. They cannot deal with certain matters, such as Divorces; Arguments about a person’s will; Matters where it is asked if a person is mentally sane or not.
The Regional Magistrates’ Courts deal with more serious criminal cases than the ordinary Magistrates’ Courts – for example, murder, rape, armed robbery and serious assault. A Regional Magistrates’ Court can sentence a person who has been found guilty of offences that include murder or rape to imprisonment for life. The Court can also sentence people who have been found guilty of certain offences such as armed robbery or stealing a motor vehicle to prison for a period up to 20 years. A Regional Magistrates’ Court can impose a maximum fine of R300 000.
The Regional Courts have jurisdiction over civil matters such as family matters like divorces, maintenance, custody matters and civil matters where the claim amount is between R 200 000.00 – R 400 000.00.
The High Court has jurisdiction over all matters, but it usually only hears civil matters involving a claim of more than R400,000, and serious criminal cases. It also hears any appeals or reviews from magistrates’ courts and other lower courts.
ATTORNEY AND CLIENT TARIFFS – HIGH COURT & COMMERCIAL MATTERS
Items | SNR. Att. | JNR. Att | CAND. Att |
Registration and opening file | 250.00 | 250.00 | 250.00 |
Consultation – 15 minutes or part thereof | 875.00 | 625.00 | 200.00 |
All outgoing letter or correspondence per folio | 250.00 | 150.00 | 100.00 |
Attendance & perusal of letters or other documents per folio | 125.00 | 125.00 | 100.00 |
Sort, paginate and index of documents or pleadings | 875.00 | 625.00 | 200.00 |
All faxes/emails sent – first folio -further folio’s | 25.00 5.00 | 25.00 5.00 | 25.00 5.00 |
Telephone attendances – outgoing per 5 min – plus direct costs to be added | 250.00 250.00 875.00 25.00 | 250.00 250.00 625.00 25.00 | 250.00 250.00 250.00 25.00 |
Traveling fees per km | 5.50 | 5.50 | 5.50 |
Traveling time – per 15min or part thereof | 500.00 | 350.00 | 100.00 |
Service and filing of documents and/or pleadings | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Bank fees for payments and/or transfers, plus direct costs | 150.00 4.00 | 150.00 4.00 | 150.00 4.00 |
Taking of instructions – opposed action proceedings | 3 500.00 3 500.00 | 2 000.00 2 000.00 | 750.00 750.00 |
Taking of instructions – unopposed actions | 2 000.00 2 000.00 | 1 000.00 1 000.00 | 500.00 500.00 |
Items | SNR. Att | JNR. Att | CAND.Att |
Taking of instructions – plea | 1 500.00 1 500.00 250.00 875.00 | 1000.00 1000.00 150.00 625.00 | 500.00 500.00 150.00 200.00 |
Draft of counterclaim | 250.00 875.00 | 150.00 625.00 | 150.00 200.00 |
Draft : sworn affidavit per folio | 150.00 875.00 | 150.00 600.00 | 150.00 200.00 |
Attendance ad jurat (perusal of sworn affidavit) | 125.00 | 125.00 | 100.00 |
Draft : pleadings per folio | 250.00 875.00 | 150.00 625.00 | 150.00 200.00 |
Settlement negotiations – 15min or part thereof | 875.00 | 625.00 | 200.00 |
Court attendances (15min or part thereof) with a minimum day fee | 875.00 5 000.00 3 500.00 | 625.00 3 500.00 2 500.00 | 200.00 2 000.00 1 500.00 |
Minimum fee – postponement on request of opposition | 5 000.00 30 000.00 20 000.00 | 3 500.00 15 000.00 10 000.00 | 2 000.00 5 000.00 4 000.00 |
Waiting time at court (15min or part thereof) | 875.00 | 625.00 | 200.00 |
Preparation costs – action proceedings per 15 min | 875.00 7 500.00 | 625.00 3 500.00 | 200.00 1 500.00 |
Preparation costs : applications: per 15 min | 875.00 5 000.00 | 625.00 3 500.00 | 200.00 1 500.00 |
Draft : settlement negotiations: per folio | 250.00 875.00 | 150.00 625.00 | 150.00 200.00 |
ATTORNEY AND CLIENT TARRIFS – CIVIL MATTERS IN THE MAGISTRATES COURT
Items | SNR. Att. | JNR. Att | CAND. Att |
Registration and opening file | 250.00 | 250.00 | 250.00 |
Consultation – 15 minutes or part thereof | 750.00 | 500.00 | 150.00 |
All outgoing letter or correspondence per folio | 150.00 | 150.00 | 150.00 |
Attendance of letters or other documents per folio | 25.00 | 25.00 | 25.00 |
Perusal of all correspondence or letter per folio | 125.00 | 125.00 | 50.00 |
All faxes/emails sent – first folio | 35.00 5.00 | 35.00 5.00 | 35.00 5.00 |
Telephone attendances – outgoing per 5 min – plus direct costs to be added Incoming per 5 min Telephone consultations Whatsapp attendances (excl voice notes which are to be billed on time spent) | 150.00 150.00 750.00 25.00 | 150.00 150.00 500.00 25.00 | 150.00 150.00 150.00 25.00 |
Traveling fees per km | 5.50 | 5.50 | 5.50 |
Traveling time – per 15min or part thereof | 500.00 | 350.00 | 100.00 |
Service and filing of documents and/or pleadings | 50.00 | 50.00 | 50.00 |
Bank fees for payments and/or transfers, plus direct costs | 150.00 4.00 | 150.00 4.00 | 150.00 4.00 |
Taking of instructions – opposed action proceedings | 1 750.00 1 750.00 | 1 000.00 1 000.00 | 500.00 500.00 |
Taking of instructions – unopposed actions-unopposed applications | 850.00 750.00 | 600.00 500.00 | 350.00 350.00 |
Additional charge of 10% for civil matters in the regional court.
Items | SNR. Att | JNR. Att | CAND.Att |
Taking of instructions – plea Taking of instructions – counter claim Drafting of pleadings per folio Plus time spent per 15min or part thereof | 750.00
750.00 150.00
750.00 | 500.00
500.00 150.00
500.00 | 250.00
250.00 –
150.00 |
Draft of counterclaim Plus time spent per 15min or part thereof | 150.00
750.00 | 150.00
500.00 | –
150.00 |
Draft : sworn affidavit per folio Plus time spent per 15min or part thereof |
150.00
750.00 |
150.00
500.00 |
125.00
150.00 |
Attendance ad jurat (perusal of sworn affidavit) | 150.00 | 150.00 | 150.00 |
Draft : pleadings per folio Plus time spent per 15 min or part thereof | 150.00
750.00 | 150.00
500.00 | –
150.00 |
Court attendances (15min or part thereof) with a minimum day fee Minimum fee – undefended actions Minimum fee – postponement on request of client Minimum fee – postponement on request of opposition Minimum day fee – actions/trials Minimum day fee – applications |
750.00
3 000.00
1 000.00
3 000.00
25 000.00
10 000.00 |
500.00
1 750.00
750.00
1 750.00
15 000.00
7 500.00 |
150.00
1 000.00
150.00
1 000.00
5 000.00
3 500.00 |
Settlement negotiations – 15min or part thereof | 750.00 | 500.00 | 150.00 |
Waiting time at court (15min or part thereof) | 750.00 | 500.00 | 150.00 |
Preparation costs : applications: per 15 min With minimum fee | 750.00
3 500.00 | 500.00
2 500.00 | 150.00
750.00 |
Preparation costs – action proceedings per 15 min With minimum fee | 750.00
5 000.00 | 500.00
4 000.00 | 150.00
2 000.00 |
ATTORNEY AND CLIENT TARRIFS – CRIMINAL MATTERS IN THE MAGISTRATES COURT
Items | SNR. Att. | JNR. Att | CAND. Att |
Registration and opening file | 250.00 | 250.00 | 250.00 |
Consultation – 15 minutes or part thereof | 750.00 | 500.00 | 150.00 |
All outgoing letter or correspondence per folio (100 words) | 150.00 | 150.00 | 150.00 |
Attendance of letters or other documents per folio | 25.00 | 25.00 | 25.00 |
Perusal of all correspondence or letter per folio | 125.00 | 125.00 | 50.00 |
All faxes/emails sent – first folio -further folio’s | 35.00 5.00 | 35.00 5.00 | 35.00 5.00 |
Telephone attendances – outgoing per 5 min – plus direct costs to be added Incoming per 5 min Telephone consultations Per 15 min or part thereof Whatsapp attendances (excl voice notes which are to be billed on time spent) | 150.00
150.00
750.00
25.00 | 150.00
150.00
500.00
25.00 | 150.00
150.00
150.00
25.00 |
Traveling fees per km Plus expenses for parking and toll fees | 5.50 | 5.50 | 5.50 |
Traveling time – per 15min or part thereof | 500.00 | 350.00 | 100.00 |
Copies made per folio | 4.00 | 4.00 | 4.00 |
Draft : sworn affidavit per folio Plus time spent per 15min or part thereof | 150.00 750.00 | 150.00 500.00 | 75.00 150.00 |
Attendance ad jurat (perusal of sworn affidavit) | 150.00 | 150.00 | 50.00 |
Draft : pleadings per folio | 150.00 | 150.00 | – |
Discussions with witnesses / prosecutors / police per 15 minutes | 750.00 | 500.00 | 150.00 |
|
Items |
SNR. Att |
JNR. Att |
CAND.Att |
|
Court appearances (per 15 minutes or part thereof) Subject to minimum fees
|
750.00 |
500.00 |
150.00 |
|
Minimum fee – plead guilty |
5 000.00 |
3 500.00 |
2 500.00 |
|
Minimum fee – postponement at client’s request |
2 500.00 |
2 000.00 |
750.00 |
|
Minimum fee – Withdrawal / removed from the roll |
2 500.00 |
2 000.00 |
1 250.00 |
|
Minimum fee – postponement on request of State |
2 500.00 |
1 500.00 |
750.00 |
|
Minimum fee – Trial day · If matter was / I placed on the roll |
25 000.00 |
12 500.00 |
5 000.00 |
|
Waiting time at court |
750.00 |
500.00 |
100.00 |
|
Preparation costs – Trial per 15 min With minimum fee |
750.00 5 000.00 |
500.00 4 000.00 |
150.00 2000.00 |
|
Representations to Director of Public Prosecutions / prosecutor |
5 000.00 |
4 000.00 |
2 500.00 |
|
Draft : settlement agreements: per folio With minimum fee |
750.00 3 500.00 |
500.00 2 000.00 |
150.00 1 000.00 |
|
Bail applications : After hours (contested / uncontested) Office hours (contested) / per day or part thereof Office hours (uncontested) |
10 000.00 10 000.00 5 000.00 |
5 000.00 5 000.00 3 500.00 |
3 500.00 3 000.00 1 250.00 |
|
Attendance during warning statement / search Office hours |
5 000.00 |
3 500.00 |
3 000.00 |
|
After hours |
10 000.00 |
5 000.00 |
3 500.00 |
FEES MISCELLANEOUS
ITEMS | SNR. Att. | JNR. Att | CAND. Att |
File registration and opening | 250.00 | 250.00 | 250.00 |
Consultation and / or drafting of agreements not specifically set out below – Per 15 minutes or part thereof | 750.00 | 500.00 | 150.00 |
All outgoing letters or correspondence per folio (100 words) | 150.00 | 150.00 | 150.00 |
Attendances of correspondence or other items | 25.00 | 25.00 | 25.00 |
Perusal all correspondence or letters by folio | 125.00 | 125.00 | 100.00 |
Attendances faxes sent – first folio – further folios | 35.00 5.00 | 35.00 5.00 | 35.00 5.00 |
Telephonic attendance – Outgoing per 5 min – plus expense – Incoming per 5 min | 150.00 150.00 | 150.00 150.00 | 150.00 150.00 |
Travel costs per km | 5.50 | 5.50 | 5.50 |
Travel time – per 15 minutes or part thereof | 500.00 | 350.00 | 100.00 |
Copies per folio | 4.00 | 4.00 | 4.00 |
Draft : sworn affidavit per folio Plus time spent per 15min or part thereof | 150.00 750.00 | 150.00 500.00 | 100.00 150.00 |
Settlement negotiations – 15min or part thereof | 750.00 | 500.00 | 150.00 |
Draft : settlement negotiations: – min fee R 250.00 per folio | 1 250.00 | 850.00 | 500.00 |
Deed search | 375.00 | 375.00 | 375.00 |
Company or Corporation search | 450.00 | 450.00 | 450.00 |
Adverts – government or local newspaper – plus expenses | 450.00 | 450.00 | 450.00 |
Rental agreement – property – Residential from – Commercial from – Agricultural from | 3 500.00 8 500.00 8 500.00 | 2 500.00 6 500.00 6 500.00 | 1 500.00 3 500.00 3 500.00 |
Sale of business – going concern – from – plus direct expenses | 12 500.00 | 8 500.00 | 5 000.00 |
Sale of membership interest – from – plus direct expenses | 8 500.00 | 5 000.00 | 3 500.00 |
Shares or cooperation agreement – plus direct expenses: from | 8 500.00 | 7 500.00 | 5 000.00 |
Establishment of trust – plus direct expenses: fee from | 8 500.00 | 7 500.00 | 5 000.00 |
Establishment of company – plus direct expenses | 3 500.00 | 3 500.00 | 3 500.00 |
Liquor licenses – new applications – from – plus direct expenses | 15 000.00 | 15 000.00 | 15 000.00 |
Transfer of liquor licenses – plus direct expenses | 7 500.00 | 7 500.00 | 7 500.00 |
Renewal of liquor licenses | 3 500.00 | 3 500.00 | 3 500.00 |
Sale agreement property – Residential – Commercial – Agricultural | 3 500.00 12 500.00 12 500.00 | 2 500.00 8 500.00 8 500.00 | 2 000.00 5 000.00 5 000.00 |
Divorce: Minimum fee – unopposed – without children – Regional Court (from) Minimum fee – unopposed – with children – Regional Court (from) Contested Divorce – High Court scale |
12 500.00 17 500.00 |
10 000.00 13 750.00 |
– –
|
Antenuptial contract – – plus direct expenses | 1 500-00 | 1 500-00 | 750-00 |
Transfer costs payable in advance as per transfer fee tables |
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Mortgage bond costs payable in advance as per bond fee tables |
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We have An Urge for Fair Pricing
We are commited to charging fees which are fair to both parties and which are a reflection of our good service. We charge fair fees based on agreed upon conditions, promised quality and applicable and apt timelines so as to ensure that you receive the best service for a fair fee…