The legal landscape regarding fee scales (baremos) in is shaped by the transition from rigid price lists to "orientative criteria" necessitated by competition laws. While attorneys have the freedom to set their own rates, the Consello da Avogacía Galega provides essential guidelines used primarily for the assessment of costs (tasación de costas) in judicial proceedings. The Evolution of Attorney Fees in Galicia
Historically, the Consello da Avogacía Galega published detailed "Baremos" that functioned as fixed price lists. However, following rulings by the Spanish Supreme Court and pressure from the National Markets and Competition Commission (CNMC), these have been replaced by "Criterios de Honorarios".
Contractual Freedom: Lawyers and clients are free to negotiate fees at any stage of their relationship.
Legal Purpose of Criteria: These guidelines serve as a reference for judges when deciding how much a losing party must pay the winning party's lawyer in "condena en costas" cases.
Best Practice: Clients are strongly encouraged to request a Hoja de Encargo (engagement letter) upfront to avoid disputes, as this document formally establishes the agreed-upon price. Common Reference Rates in the Region baremo de honorarios colegio de abogados de galicia best
While individual firms vary, several common benchmarks exist for legal services in Spain and Galicia: ¿Cuánto cuesta un abogado? Honorarios y Precios en 2026
Baremo de Honorarios (Fee Scale) of the Bar Associations in Galicia has undergone significant changes due to Spanish legal reforms and Supreme Court rulings aimed at protecting free competition. Poder Judicial | CGPJ Current Legal Status
In Spain, including Galicia, the establishment of mandatory minimum fees or detailed price lists for legal services is strictly prohibited by the Law of Professional Associations. Poder Judicial | CGPJ Freedom of Contract
: Fees are freely negotiated and agreed upon between the lawyer and the client, ideally through a Hoja de Encargo (Letter of Engagement). Abolition of "Baremos" The legal landscape regarding fee scales (baremos) in
: Traditional fee scales that provided specific prices for every legal action have been repealed because they were found to hinder market competition. Centro de Estudios Políticos y Constitucionales Criterios Orientadores (Guiding Criteria)
While specific price lists are banned, Galician Bar Associations (like those in A Coruña, Vigo, and Santiago
) maintain "Criterios Orientadores". These documents do not set prices for client-lawyer relations but serve two specific legal purposes: Consello da Avogacía Galega Tasación de Costas
: Calculating the legal costs that the losing party must pay to the winner in a lawsuit. Jura de Cuentas IVA (VAT): Currently 21% on fees
: Resolving disputes when a client refuses to pay a lawyer's bill. Xunta de Galicia Free Legal Aid (Turno de Oficio) Separate from private fees, there is a "Baremo" for Asistencia Jurídica Gratuita (Free Legal Aid). This is an agreement between the Xunta de Galicia Consello da Avogacía Galega Ilustre Colegio Provincial de Abogados de A Coruña S.A.C.C.U. - icacor
A good lawyer will provide a budget based on the baremo, specifying each phase of the process. For example: "Según el baremo del Colegio de Abogados de Galicia, para un juicio ordinario con cuantía de 20.000 €, el honorario mínimo es de 2.000 €. Nuestros honorarios son de 2.400 € + IVA."
The baremo refers to professional fees only. You must add:
The Galician scale typically follows a modular or percentage-based structure, considering: