What are disbursements ?

In a legal context, disbursements refer to the expenses incurred by a lawyer or law firm in the course of representing a client. These expenses can include things like court filing fees, expert witness fees, and the cost of obtaining documents and other evidence. Disbursements are typically in addition to the lawyer's hourly or flat fee for their services. [READ MORE]

Disbursements can be a significant cost for clients and can vary widely depending on the nature of the case. For example, a complex civil lawsuit involving multiple parties and extensive document discovery may result in significant disbursements, while a simple divorce case may have very few disbursements.

Disbursements are usually paid by the client as they are incurred, although in some cases they may be deferred until the end of the case. It's important for clients to understand that disbursements are separate from the lawyer's fee and that they will be responsible for paying them. Some lawyers may also require a deposit or advance to cover the expected disbursements in a case.

In some cases, disbursements may be recoverable from the opposing party. For example, if a party loses a lawsuit, they may be ordered to pay the other party's disbursements as part of the judgment. However, this is not always the case and clients should not rely on recovering disbursements from the opposing party.

It's also important to note that disbursements can vary depending on the jurisdiction. Different courts and government agencies may have different fees for filing documents or obtaining records, so it's important for clients to be aware of the potential disbursements in their case.

Overall, disbursements are an important consideration in any legal matter and clients should be aware of the potential costs involved. They should discuss disbursements with their lawyer and be prepared to pay them as they are incurred. It's also important to have a clear understanding of the disbursements that are recoverable from the other party.