Disclaimer:
This article is a general overview of lawyer consultation fee models in Malaysia and is for informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice. Specific fees for any matter depend on circumstances and agreed-upon terms between client and law firm.It’s normal to ask about consultation fees before hiring a professional–and to expect a straightforward response.
However, lawyers in Malaysia can be reluctant to disclose charges even if it’s zero!
As covered in our guide to commercial legal fees, we are bound by rules that prohibit advertising in ways that encourage the public to choose based on price.
Knowing this can be frustrating for potential clients, this is our attempt to bridge the gap and share insight into how commercial lawyer consultation fees work in Malaysia while strictly observing Bar Council rules.
Common lawyer consultation fee models
The Malaysian Bar Council does not regulate fixed fees for most non-contentious consultations, and firms are generally free to decide whether to treat consultations as a standalone service or as the impetus of a full tailored quotation.
In practice, four fee models are most prevalent:
- a free initial consultation
- a flat rate
- hourly rate, and
- retainer-based
We usually choose the most advantageous based on available preliminary information.
Free initial consultation
In this model , the consultation is free and intended to understand your case, explain the lawyer’s scope, and estimate potential fees. No legal advice may be given until you formally engage the lawyer, and the meeting itself is usually 15–30 minutes long.
Though not practiced by all lawyers, it is extremely common in firms and private practices of all sizes.
Common for:
- first-time prospects unsure of their legal needs
- business formation and structuring
- contract drafting or review inquiries
Flat consultation fee
Here, a fixed amount is charged per session, which is longer but also capped at 30–60 minutes. At the lawyer’s discretion, it may include a short written opinion or document review, and the fee is almost always deductible from later legal fees if you proceed with the same lawyer.
This normally follows the free initial consultation, though lawyers may go straight to this when a client already has a clear idea of what they need and will want a longer consultation.
Common for:
- follow-up consultations
- contract or agreement reviews
- employment law consultations for businesses
- company compliance questions
Hourly rate
Under this model, you’re billed based on time spent. This is not a common pricing model, and mostly used when the scope of work is uncertain, ongoing, or involves complex matters and multiple parties. For obvious reasons, this also means sessions often last much longer
Common for:
- corporate advisory and governance
- mergers and acquisitions
- commercial dispute strategy discussions
Retainer-based consultations
Here, you pay a monthly or yearly retainer to get a fixed number of consultation hours or “on-call” access. This is a pricing model lawyers use for established clients or for matters that will likely need multiple, but predictable, meetings throughout dealing with them.
For situations that genuinely need multiple consultations, clients will be given a reduced rate compared to booking multiple standalone consultations.
Common for:
- SMEs and startups seeking ongoing legal support
- companies managing multiple contracts or HR matters
Other factors
The cost of an initial assessment in corporate law is often determined by:
| Factor | Impact on Fee | Explanation |
| Seniority | Higher Fee | Lawyers with specialised corporate expertise and a strong reputation command premium rates |
| Complexity | Higher Fee | Matters involving complex cross-border issues, intricate corporate restructuring, or novel legal challenges require deeper initial thought |
| Urban Location | Higher Fee | Operating costs and high demand in major commercial hubs like Kuala Lumpur and Petaling Jaya influence rates |
Asking lawyers for free consultations
For starters, a free initial consultation is usually not a problem; it’s a well-established practice, and many firms are happy to offer them to better understand your needs.
However, there can absolutely be an issue if we provide multiple rounds of unpaid advice following the initial session as practices common in other professions are prohibited for us, namely:
- deliberately undercutting another lawyer’s price, or
- charging below-market rates
A lawyer who continues to provide free consultations could risk breaching Bar Council rules against undercutting or offering services at below market value – and might we add they are basically being asked to work for no compensation, which is just not a nice thing to do!
That said, lawyers do have discretion to adjust fees in justified situations, such as for long-term clients or complex, multi-stage matters handled under a retainer arrangement.
So, ask politely, argue your case, and a reasonable lawyer will often see what they can do!
Get in touch for a legal consultation
While we are pleased to offer a free first-time consultation (up to 30 minutes) to understand your corporate legal needs, we may not always be able to entertain all requests. This could be due to a peak period of high demand or if the request falls outside our specialist practice areas.
We will, however, try our best to refer your case to other suitable lawyers whom we believe can best serve your specific legal needs if the matter is outside of our scope.
