La retribuzione dell'avvocato si calcola sulla base delle regole in vigore (regole dell'ordine, ordinanza sulla retribuzione) e l'esperienza dell'informazione precedente con la clientela, almeno che non siano applicabili delle tariffe ufficiali prefissate (tariffe coercitive). L'informazione precedente include in particolare il modo della fatturazione, il modo di calcolo e di pagamento e l'estensione aspettata del lavoro da svolgere (Art. 1, Honoraransätze, ordine degli avvocati zurighesi).

Canton of Zurich - Canton of Bern

Professional charges within the canton of Zurich
(canton Zurich, conventional scale of charges)

Professional charges within the canton of Zurich
(gemäss Honoraransätze des Zürcher Anwaltsverbandes)
A starting point in fixing charges is the time that has to be spent on a mandate.

• In certain cases (production of expert opinions, execution of wills, liquidation proceedings, estate and asset management, arbitration etc.) special agreements on charges may be set.
  
• Cases being extremely difficult (requirement of special skills or languages) or urgent (out of regular office hours) or important for the client may be subject to higher fees that will, however, not exceed twice the sum of the hourly rates mentioned above.

Secretary's charges are usually included. Out-of-pocket expenditures are discharged separately according to factual expenses or by a lump-sum payment.

The basic rate is 210 SFr / hour. In urgent matters or if foreign language skills are necessary, the basic fee may increase by 50 % at most. Charges may also rise according to the economic or intangible relevance of a case.

• If a case is of high intangible relevance for a client and a value of interest cannot be determined, the basic rate may be elevated up to 630 SFr / hour at the most.
  
• Due to professional etiquette, a lawyer has to demand at least 30 % of the expected final charges in advance. Any client shall have an impression of the costs that are necessary to pursue his case, which will also prevent him from exceeding his financial capacity.
  

Expenditures are charged additionally. Travel expenses cover a first class railway ticket or 0.80 SFr / km for automobile transportation.