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The big question
How much should you expect to pay a lawyer in Nigeria and what actually determines the figure. The short answer is that minimums exist and many fees follow statutory scales. The long answer is below with concrete numbers you can sanity check.
Framework
What the law now says in plain English
- Legal Practitioners Remuneration Order 2023. Sets minimum fees for consultations, incorporations, litigation, and property or land transactions including mortgages and leases. Creates a process when a lawyer intends to charge below the scale and requires written engagement terms within 14 days of instruction.
- Rules of Professional Conduct 2023. Ethics rules on fee arrangements including contingency fees in civil matters, prohibition on bearing a client’s litigation expenses, and the test for reasonable fees.
Context
State bands and PQE tiers
The Order groups states into bands that affect minimums. Lagos and FCT are Band 3. Many South South states are Band 2. Band 1 covers a wide set of other states. Minimums also vary by post qualification experience and Senior Advocate status.
Selected scale minimums
| Item | Band 1 | Band 2 | Band 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consultation fee, 10 plus PQE | ₦100,000 | ₦150,000 | ₦200,000 |
| Company incorporation, 10 plus PQE | ₦100,000 | ₦150,000 | ₦200,000 |
| Civil litigation, miscellaneous, 10 plus PQE | ₦600,000 | ₦700,000 | ₦800,000 |
| Hourly rate, partners 12 plus yrs or SAN | ₦50,000 | ₦150,000 | ₦200,000 |
Property and tenancy work use percentage scales by value. See worked examples below.
Pricing approaches
How lawyers in Nigeria price matters
- Scale based. Applies wherever the Order prescribes a minimum for the work type.
- Hourly. The Order sets minimum hourly rates for other commercial transactions.
- Fixed fee. Common for incorporations, routine applications, drafting, or a defined court step. Minimums still apply.
- Contingency or success fee. Available for civil matters only and never for criminal defence. The arrangement must be reasonable and documented.
- Retainers. General or special. The engagement letter should still spell out what tasks are covered and how court attendances will be billed.
Taxes you will see
VAT and withholding tax
- VAT 7.5 percent. Most legal services are taxable supplies so VAT is charged on top of the agreed professional fee.
- Withholding tax on professional fees. Generally 5 percent for resident recipients and 10 percent for non resident recipients under the 2024 Regulations. The payer deducts and remits. For many corporate clients this is standard.
Practical point. VAT is added on the fee. WHT is deducted from the fee and remitted by the payer. Your invoice usually shows fee, VAT, and the expected WHT deduction.
Court attendances
Appearance fees in litigation
The Conduct Rules require that where a lawyer accepts a retainer for litigation, the lawyer must be separately instructed and separately remunerated for each piece of work. In practice, this supports a distinct appearance fee per sitting, billed in addition to any filing or preparation fee, and subject to the applicable minimums in the Remuneration Order. Lump sum deals that cover all future appearances irrespective of circumstances are restricted. Document this clearly in the engagement letter.
Out of pocket costs
Expenses, disbursements, and interest
- What the scale excludes. Stamps, valuers or auctioneers charges, travelling expenses, search fees, fees paid to government on registrations, costs of extracts or certified copies, court filing costs, and similar items are separate disbursements unless the parties agree otherwise.
- Interest and security. A lawyer may charge interest at 10 percent per annum on unpaid disbursements after one month from a written demand. A lawyer may also legitimately request security for disbursements at the outset.
- Who bears expenses. Under the Conduct Rules, the lawyer must not agree to permanently bear a client’s litigation expenses. The lawyer may advance expenses as a matter of convenience but this is subject to reimbursement.
Concrete numbers
Worked examples
Property purchase for ₦80,000,000 in Lagos or FCT
Conveyance or assignment. Minimum fee for the assignee’s lawyer is ₦5,000,000 for the first ₦50,000,000 plus 5 percent of the next ₦30,000,000 which is ₦1,500,000. Minimum professional fee is therefore ₦6,500,000. VAT is added. Search fees, certified copies, valuations, consent fees, and similar items are separate disbursements.
- Professional fee minimum. ₦6,500,000
- VAT 7.5 percent. ₦487,500
- Subtotal. ₦6,987,500
- Less WHT 5 percent of fee. ₦325,000 withheld and remitted by payer
Where the same lawyer legitimately represents both sides, total fees must be at least 10 percent of consideration and shared as agreed.
Commercial dispute in Band 3 with 10 plus PQE counsel
The litigation scale for miscellaneous civil disputes sets a minimum professional fee of ₦800,000 for 10 plus PQE counsel in Band 3. VAT is added. A reasonable engagement will also specify appearance fees per sitting and list disbursements separately.
Company incorporation in Band 3 with 10 plus PQE counsel
Minimum professional fee is ₦200,000. Government filing fees and stamp duties are separate disbursements. VAT is added. Standard timelines and scope appear in the engagement letter.
Common questions
Quick FAQ
Can a lawyer charge below the scale
Yes, but only after following the Order. The lawyer must apply to the Remuneration Committee with reasons and await approval or otherwise adhere to the prescribed scale. A copy of any refusal must be attached to the engagement letter if the application fails.
What happens if my case spans many sittings
Your engagement letter should state the base professional fee and how appearance fees will be billed per sitting including any premium for distant travel or long waiting time. This avoids bill shock and keeps both sides aligned.
Do success fees exist in Nigeria
Yes for civil matters if reasonable and documented. Not for defending crime. Your lawyer should also explain the alternative of time based or scale based billing before you choose.
Next step
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Disclaimer. This guide is general information and not legal or tax advice. Always obtain a written engagement letter for your specific matter.