The Bar Council expect lawyer fees for court cases to increase by between 300 to 400 percent this year.

According to the Bar Council, cases that normally cost around RM2,000 may increase to RM8,000 or RM10,000.

Bar Council president Ragunath Kesavan said the cost increase could attribute to an increase in responsibilities compared with before since cases cannot be postponed easily.

"Furthermore, cases need to be settled in three months," he said after launching the 'Start' which was a distribution project of a comprehensive guide on how a lawyer's office was managed.

"Previously, filing civil cases at the magistrates court may only cost about RM2,000 but now it may rise up to RM8,000 or RM10,000.

"This does not include cases filed in high court which has a bigger responsibility," he said.

Speaking of 'Start', he said the Bar Council was duty bound to publish a manual (guide) to assist lawyers set up their own firms because the number of lawyers who faced disciplinary action has increased.

"Statistics obtained showed that the Bar Council's disciplinary board penalizes or take disciplinary action against 30 to 40 lawyers a year for cheating clients, partners and other offences," said Ragunath.

- Bernama