Lawyers

Britbat

I'm about to engage a firm of lawyers in Bangalore. The work involves searching in Bangalore Registries of Births and Deaths with very little information so I can expect billing to cover several hours. I suppose the legwork will be done by a junior but I have no doubt I'll be charged the maximum. Anyone know what the average rate ph is in India?

Thanks.

capt_mahajan

I would strongly advise fix a flat rate. Billing hourly is not really a normal practice in India, though a handful of top lawyers in the country may well be doing so.

Tough to say what it should cost. Offhand, I would feel I was being cheated if I paid more than 3/4000 rupees, but I may be wrong.

Britbat

A fixed rate sounds ideal, Capt, and I can certainly work with your numbers. Thanks.

I'll post the actual rate for the record, once I've settled a figure.

capt_mahajan

Do remember that my 'rate' probably involves a not very prominent law firm who know I am a local.

For the record, the going rate for a smallish lawyer who checks out land at the Hyderabad outskirts (is it clean, does it have municipal and other clearnaces etc) is 2500/- all inclusive.

He probably doesn't spend more than three quarters of a day on this, travels about 40 km away, tips the local registration office officials something, gives you a written opinion...

Just for an idea.

Britbat

Thanks again. Not easy to keep UK gang of thieves' I mean law firms' charges out of one's mind. I'm light on information for the registry search but I expect I'll get away with under 5K eventually.

Mano

Per hour rate is not followed by lawyers in India (only so called top lawyers do this). Its only fixed rate here.

If your work involes a days work you can pay around 3000 rs (If you are engaging a small lawyer)

(I am a lawyer too :P)

Britbat

Fixed rate it is, then. I'm dealing with a fairly big, all India firm, so I'll just see what they quote. If it's exhorbitantly more than you guys are suggesting I'll look up a small firm in the Bangalore phone book. Or, maybe my friend Prashant will know of a small firm there. My lawyer here just made partner in a large group practice. Now he charges me by the nanosecond, and expects me to pick up the tab for lunch. B******!

crvlvr

Why do you needs a lawyer to do this work? You may want to try some of the concierge services like http://yourmaninindia.com/cgi-bin/ta...cgi?category=1

Britbat

I tried one, might have been the one you refer to, but they weren't interested in searching without an address. Lawyers, m'learned friend may or may not confirm, will do as the client asks with as much information as is available and merely add to the bill for any extra search time. No offense to YMII but I'd rather get the job done than fill in a form and be told there isn't enough information. Paying through the nose to some black suited black hearted brigand is the going rate for a result, I feel.

Mano

Sir, not all the lawyers are black hearted. I think still you have not come across a good lawyer (I mean to say good hearted).
You would have paid 10 times more for the same work if its in your country. This fact you are forgetting. (May be your big firm lawyer is expecting you to pay as you pay in UK :P)

If you have any work to be done like this in Chennai, let me know, I will do it without charging anything to you.

capt_mahajan

I had that thought too, and obliquely referred to 'local' in an earlier post.

Lawyers are favourite whipping boys/girls, though less so in India; the legal system sucks more than lawyers, usually.

But, like mano says, not always.

I am going offtopic, again

Prashant.M

Hi Britbat. Good to see a post from you. I have PMed you.

__________________
Happiness is just a thought away

Britbat

I agree. Most of the black hearted lawyers are in politics.

Calm yourself, you take me too literally. Some of my best friends are lawyers. Indeed, it was my lawyer here who suggested I go to a law firm in India. I must say I was quite emotional at the brotherly love he showed for colleagues thousands of miles away. So overcome was I that I paid for lunch. Again.

Ten times as much and more. I assure you I am not forgetting, I am well aware of the difference. My rate here is £120 ph + or - depending. This does not, however, prevent me from seeking to do business in India at the going rate in India. You note that nowhere in my posts do I mention parsimony.

My friend, when I final settle in India, I will come to Chennai especially to take you up on your promise. I have witnesses!

Britbat

Hey Prashant. Got it. Let's get the job done before these damn lawyers skin me and hang me out to dry!

Prashant.M

Yup let's do it or die trying .