Canadian Lawyer

w w w . c a n a d i a n l a w y e r m a g . c o m A P R I L 2 0 1 9 25 as they were in 2018 or raise them — 44.64 per cent. This is the second consecutive year in which there will be no reductions. In 2017, 2016 and 2015, 0.6 per cent, three per cent and two per cent, respectively, had anticipated cuts. Among all firm sizes, 40.78 per cent anticipated increases to be less than five per cent, while 45.63 per cent anticipated the range to be between six and 10 per cent. Another 9.71 per cent indicated the increase would be between 10 and 20 per cent. Higher overhead costs (50.49 per cent), increased complexity (40.78 per cent) and inflation (62.14 per cent) were cited in the survey as reasons for increases in law firm billing rates this year. Leanne Rapley does expect this is the year she will be increasing the rates at Rap- ley & Company Lawyers and Mediators after leaving them the same for the past several years, citing inflationary-related reasons such as increased costs. Seven years ago, she moved the litiga- tion and mixed commercial practice, now with four lawyers, from Toronto's Bay Street to a house in the Beaches area and passed the savings in costs from the move to the clients. At the same time, technology and artificial intelligence, used to produce legal products used at her firm, has helped to reduce labour time and related costs. But after several years of no increas- es, the firm's rates will go up in 2019, likely in the zero-to-five-per-cent range, largely because of increasing overall costs, although complexity is also a consideration. "On the construction side, there's been a lot of controversy about the new construc- tion lien legislation and also the prompt payment legislation coming in," which impacts the construction practice area, she says. "I think that it does add a layer of expertise to what is required of us." $2,001 - $3,000 (40%) Not Applicable $2,501 - $3,000 (100%) $3,600 - $ 4,000 ( 20%) Not Applicable $5,601 - $6,000 (100%) $6,501 - $7,300 (40%) Not Applicable $5,301 - $5,700 & $6,101 - $6,500 (100%) Over $5,801 ( 20%) Not Applicable $ 4,901 - $5,200 (50%) Over $8,600 (57.14%) Not Applicable $3,000 - $3,400 ( 25%) $1,701 - $2,100 (42.86%) Not Applicable $1,300 - $1,500 (50%) Over $ 4,101 ( 28.58%) Not Applicable $1,300 - $1,500 & $1,701 - $1,900 (50%) $700 - $900 ( 20%) $1,301 - $1,500 (33.33%) $1,101 - $1,300 ( 28.75%) $1,301 - $1,500 ( 20%) Less than $500 (33.33%) $500 - $700 (35.71%) $7,500 - $10,000 ( 26.67%) $12,501 - $15,000 (33.33%) Less than $10,000 (35.72%) $1,901 - $2,100 ( 20%) $1,700 - $1,900 (33.33%) $1,700 - $1,900 ( 28.75%) $15,001 - $20,000 ( 28.58%) $20,000 (33.33%) $17,501 - $22,500 (14.28%) $7,500 - $10,000 ( 20%) $7,500 - $10,000 (33.33%) $7,500 - $12,500 ( 28.58%) $2,500 - $3,000 ( 26.67%) $2,500 - $3,000 (33.33%) $2,500 - $3,000 ( 23.08%) $5,000 - $6,000 ( 20%) $5,000 - $6,000 (33.33%) $9,001 - $11,000 (30.76%) $800 - $900 ( 27.66%) $800 - $900 (57.14%) $800 - $900 ( 22.86%) $701 - $800 (34.04%) $600 - $800 (42.86%) $701 - $800 ( 25.71%) $1,400 - $1,600 ( 27.66%) $1,400 - $1,500 (66.67%) $1,601 - $1,800 ( 28.57%) $2,401 - $3,400 ( 21.74%) $2,401 - $2,900 ( 28.57%) $1,900 - $2,400 ( 20%) $1,700 - $2,700 (30.4 4%) $1,700 - $2,200 (57.14%) $1,700 - $2,200 ( 22.86%) $1,200 - $1,600 ( 24.4 4%) $1,200 - $1,600 (42.86%) $1,200 - $1,600 ( 20.59%) $300 - $ 400 (4 4.4 4%) $300 - $ 400 (62.50%) $300 - $ 400 (41.30%) $800 - $1,100 (30.19%) Less than $800 (37.50%) $800 - $1,100 ( 23.91%) $1,100 - $1,400 ( 24.53%) $2,301 - $2,600 (37.50%) Less than $1,400 (43.40%) $150 - $200 (48.15%) $150 - $200 (62.50%) $150 - $200 (43.48%) $250 - $300 (45.28%) $250 - $300 (37.50%) $250 - $300 (34.78%) $2,500 - $ 4,500 (30.19%) $2,500 - $3,500 ( 28.57%) $2,500 - $3,500 (41.30%) $100 - $200 (33.96%) $100 - $200 (37.50%) $100 - $200 (39.13%) WEST EAST ONTARIO What percentage of your business (based on revenue contribution) does legal aid work represent? Less than 25 % 26 % to 50 % 51 % to 75 % 76 % to 90 % More than 90 % 65 % 14 % 5 % 6 % 3 % 1700 28.75 % 11,000 4 $2,500 $27,501 600

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