REFLECTING ON LABOUR DAY AND THE VALUE OF LEGAL WORK

As we mark Labour Day, a time to honour work and the people behind it, legal professionals, especially young practitioners, must pause and ask: What is the value of our labour? Law school teaches us how to understand the law and serve clients diligently, but it teaches little about one essential truth: we must bill fairly for our work.

Legal practice, though grounded in service, is also a business. We provide a professional service in exchange for compensation. Yet, many young lawyers enter the profession without a clear sense of how to value their time, their expertise, or how to ask for payment.

I learned this lesson early in practice. After pouring hours into a client’s work, I was met with the expectation that I should be affordable, and my invoice had to wait indefinitely. I have seen many colleagues experience the same. Most young lawyers struggle to answer a fundamental question: What is your hourly worth?

In our profession, work must be paid for, not just paid, but paid fairly. Fair compensation should reflect both the effort and skill involved, without being exploitative. This is where the Advocates (Remuneration and Taxation of Costs) Regulations come in. These regulations offer a clear framework for what constitutes reasonable legal fees, balancing client protection with the dignity of legal labour. Lawyers must use them not only as a pricing guide, but as a tool to defend the value of their work.

Effective billing begins with understanding the needs, expectations, and financial capacity of your client. Consider the value of time and expertise you invest in legal work which is not just about hours spent, but the quality and depth of professional judgment offered.

In addition to your time, consider disbursements and expenses you may incur, and communicate these clearly from the outset. Every matter carries its own level of risk, and fees should reflect the complexity, urgency, or sensitivity involved. Establish a clear and consistent billing structure whether hourly, fixed, or milestone-based and ensure all billing arrangements are formalized through written agreements, engagement letters, or documented communication.

Billing is not just about keeping the lights on. It affirms the value of our work, reinforces professional standards, and safeguards the future of the practice. When lawyers undervalue themselves, they set a precedent that harms the entire profession.

A mentor once advised me: “Normalize telling clients when they cannot afford you.” This is not arrogance, it is sustainability.

 By Cleopatra Abikiira