- Lawyers in Singapore may not take a percentage of the damages as their fee.
- Conditional fee agreements, allowed since 2022 for some types of cases, do not cover personal injury claims in the Singapore courts.
- Fees depend on how complex the claim is and how much work it needs.
- A successful claimant usually recovers part, but not all, of their legal costs from the other side.
No percentage fees
Unlike some other countries, Singapore does not allow lawyers to charge a share of the compensation they recover for you. 'No win, no fee' arrangements of that kind are not permitted for personal injury claims.
Since May 2022, conditional fee agreements, where part of the fee depends on the outcome, have been allowed for certain types of proceedings, such as arbitration. Personal injury claims brought in the Singapore courts are excluded.
How fees are worked out
Fees for an injury claim usually depend on how complex the matter is, whether liability is disputed, and how far the claim goes: a claim settled through negotiation costs much less than one that goes to trial. Ask for an estimate at the start, and for an update if the claim changes course.
Recovering costs from the other side
If your claim succeeds, the other side is usually ordered or agrees to pay a part of your legal costs, often through their insurer. This is not guaranteed and rarely covers every dollar of your own lawyer's bill.
This article is general information on Singapore law and is not legal advice. Rules and agency policies change, and every situation is different. For advice on your own circumstances, speak with one of our lawyers.
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