Pakistan Legal Practitioners and Bar Councils Rules, 1976 — section 154

154. In fixing fees, advocates should avoid charges which over-estimate their advice and services as well as those which undervalue them. A client's ability to pay cannot justify charge in excess of the value of the service, though his property may justify a lesser charge, or even none at all. The reasonable requests of a brother advocate, should also receive special and kind consideration. In respect of widows and orphans of an advocate, all advocates shall assist them free of charge. In determining the amount of fee it is proper to consider; (i) the time and labour required, the novelty and difficulty of the questions involved and the skill requisite properly to conduct the case; (ii) whether the acceptance of employment in a particular case will preclude the Advocate's appearance for others in cases likely to arise out of the transaction, about which there is a reasonable expectation that otherwise he would be employed, or will involve the loss of their business while employed in a particular case; (iii) the customary charges of the Bar for similar service; (iv) the amount involved in the controversy and the benefits resulting to the client from the service; (v) the contingency of the certainty of the compensation, and (vi) the character of the employment, whether casual or for an established and constant client. Of these considerations, none in itself is the controlling factor. These are mere guidelines in ascertaining the real value of the service. In fixing fees it should never be forgotten that the profession is a branch of the administration of justice and not a mere money making trade. Pakistan Legal Practitioners & Bar Councils Rules, 1976 109