SOME THOUGHTS ON THE LEGAL PRACTITIONERS (REMUNERATION FORBUSINESS, LEGAL SERVICES AND REPRESENTATION) ORDER 2023

Abstract

The question of what should be a fair remuneration for legal businesses and services has been a recurring matter in the relationship between the Legal practitioner and his client. The issue has always been how to realize, between the two, at different times, on different transactions, what is a fair and reasonable fee for particular services rendered? Leaving it to the whims of the Legal practitioner will be exploitative; while ridiculously low fees will disincentivise the diligent deployment of professional skills by the Legal practitioner to meet the client’s instructions. The need for some regulation and benchmark for particular services rendered that informs the client on what to expect or pay has become imperative. After three decades of the old Remuneration Order, the enacting authority promulgated a new remuneration order in 2023. While nascent, the question has arisen as to the tenor and viability of the new order? Using a doctrinal research methodology, this paper discusses and interrogates certain provisions of the new order and highlights some implementation challenges.