Canadian Lawyer

34 J U N E 2 0 1 5 w w w . C A N A D I A N L a w y e r m a g . c o m the country cited new rules and increased complexity as the reason for fee hikes in a year that saw the arrival of the revolution- ary new Express Entry system for perma- nent residence. Average fees for all four immigration matters surveyed rose, by between seven and 31 per cent compared with 2014 levels. Respondents were once again split down the middle on the issue of further price rises, with just under 50 per cent opting for a freeze in the next year, and 48 per cent planning to increase fees. Just two per cent are aiming for a fee decrease. Things were different in Alberta, where the plunging price of oil has hit the econo- my, and respondents said lawyers are feel- ing the knock-on effects. In that province, about six in every 10 respondents opted for a no-change approach to what they're charging clients. The most commonly cited reasons for price rises included inflation and surging overhead costs, as well as the increasing complexity of the legal work lawyers are taking on. In Ontario, one sole practi- tioner said their price rise was a tactic to "weed out the chaff " from a busy practice, while an honest Alberta lawyer from a mid-sized firm said they simply "want to make more money." For those cutting and freezing rates, competition and client demands were the driving factors: "Economic conditions are so tight that people generally aren't willing to pay more," wrote one small-firm lawyer from Ontario. For lawyers with practices rooted in real estate or wills and estates, market forces were particularly influential. A law- yer with a small Alberta firm summed up the dilemma: "I need to do wills as a service, but I wish I could charge more," they wrote. "Real estate purchase files have razor-thin margins. Lawyers need to stop the drive to the bottom in an attempt to gain market share; it is hurting the entire industry," wrote another from a small Ontario city. Others are cutting their losses: "Although much of the work that we do is in the area of real estate, that work is labour intensive and requires well trained and highly paid staff. We are having to consider phasing out that work completely, over time," wrote one Ontario respondent. Read on to see how your fees match up with the competition, and discover the going rate in your area of practice. planning to i 48% Starting a business, making a will or buying a house? Declaring bankruptcy, dealing with a personal injury, insurance claim or job loss? If you're in the midst of one of life's big events, help is as close as your smartphone, tablet or computer. Simply go to www.CanadianLawList.com to find the right lawyer for your particular legal need. www.CanadianLawList.com is Canada's most comprehensive online directory of lawyers and law firms. And it's easy to use! You can search by city, legal specialty, or name for listings and contact information. Find the legal expertise you need at www.CanadianLawList.com. g a house? nal injury, help is as Si l legal expertise? Looking for Find exactly what you need at www.CanadianLawList.com and it's available to you 24 hours a day. s available y availab y CLLwebsite_CL_Jan_14.indd 1 13-12-03 11:07 AM

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