TOP > FAQs
- I live outside Japan. Can I consult your firm by phone or e-mail?
- Yes, you can. However, first of all, we need to sort out your e-mail form junk e-mails. Please use the attached form only to request our consultation. Under the lawyers’ regulation, we need to check identity of our clients before representation. We will not reply to the anonymous e-mails. After confirming your request and necessary information filled in the form, we contact you and respond to your request.
- I am far from Osaka. Can I consult you by using Skype?
- Yes, you can. Our office is equipped with a set of monitor screen, microphone, and computer specifically used for Skype communication. It is better to communicate in face to face to grow mutual trust or avoid misunderstanding, especially when we are discussing serious business troubles or important family issues. However, such communication may take time and will be carried out only after both sides agree on representation.
- How much will I owe you if I consult you?
- The consultation fee is 10,800JPY(tax included) per one hour. When we undertake your case, which means we represent you on the case, attorney's fee will be charged based upon our fee rule (See the Fees and Cost).
- Can I pay the attorneys fee by Credit Card?
- We are sorry but we only accept remittance into the designated bank account now. The Japan Bar Association Rule used to strictly regulate the use of the credit cards for attorneys’ fee because there have been number of consumer problems in connection with the use of credit cards. It is gradually deregulated but the use of credit cards for legal service is not yet common in Japan. We may introduce it if there are serious demands from foreign individuals in the near future, after checking with JBA’s committee.
- I live in Japan and do not have enough income to pay attorney’s fee. Can I apply for Legal Aid provided by Houterasu (Japan Legal Support Center)?
- Yes, if you are a resident of Japan with an official visa status, and your income is equal or less than the certain level classified by LSC, you may apply for the legal support provided by LSC. They will check the case and your eligibility and if they accept, they determine the attorney’s fee based upon their fee rule. Because our lawyers have a contract with LSC, we are bound by their decision. Even though LSC usually pays the fee directly to the lawyer, you have to pay back the money because LSC only lends the fee, and does not give you the money. You can pay it in monthly installment for a long term except when you get paid certain amount of money by the counter-party in the case.
Please check the system and your eligibility in the web page of LSC.
http://www.houterasu.or.jp/en/
- I am sure that I can win the case and collect significant amount of compensation from the counter-party. Would you accept the case on contingency base (success fee only) ?
- We are sorry but we do not usually accept the case only on a contingency-fee basis. First of all, cases are often disputable and we cannot be 100% sure for the advantageous outcome as professionals. Secondly, collection is a different matter influenced by the financial situation of the counter-party. Amount of damages in Japan is not as high at all as damages in US such as punitive damages. We request our clients to share fair risks inherent in the legal conflicts. If you have financial difficulty, please check with Legal Support Center. In certain cases, however, we may consider reducing the starting fee and shifting the portion to the success fee and owe more risks. That may happen based upon the evaluation of the case and your financial conditions.
- I have my own attorney here in my country. Is it possible for you to work together with my attorney?
- Yes, it is. Actually, it is better for us to work jointly with your attorney in your own jurisdiction. Surely, it may incur dual cost for the time being. But in a long run, you may avoid wasteful procedure and save time and cost. It often happens that other lawyer’s watching eyes on your case can control the cost.
- Which fields of laws do you specialize in?
- Traditionally Japanese lawyers tend to represent variety of cases and be less specialized in certain fields of laws because the numbers of lawyers had been quite limited until the judicial reform since 2004. Our lawyers have been representing SMEs and many foreign citizens and have enough experience in the fields of cases introduced in the web pages. However, we have to be humble as professionals when we find the nature of the case is beyond our professional ability or expertise. Or if Osaka is located too far from the court with jurisdiction, it may be too costly for you and time consuming for us to represent you on the case. In such a case, we introduce you to other appropriate lawyers fit for your case through our professional network. We charge our consultation fee only, but not reference fee.
