cuota litis
/kwota litis/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'contingency fee' is translated into Spanish as cuota litis.
This term is used in legal contexts to describe an agreement where the lawyer's payment is contingent upon the outcome of the case.
Which one should you use?
The phrase pacto de cuota litis is often used to refer to the actual contract or agreement governing the contingency arrangement.
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking countries, the pacto de cuota litis is considered an immoral contract if the lawyer's percentage is too high, which can make the entire agreement legally void.
- The phrase is a linguistic fossil of the Roman law tradition, where legal practitioners were often paid through parts of the litigation's spoils.
- The term litis originates from the Latin word for 'strife' or 'dispute', meaning the lawyer is essentially being paid a share of the 'strife' itself.
Examples in context
- El abogado acordó representar al cliente bajo un pacto de cuota litis.The lawyer agreed to represent the client under a contingency fee agreement
- El abogado trabajará en base a honorarios por resultados.The lawyer will work on a contingency basis
- El abogado trabaja bajo una cuota litis.The lawyer works under a contingency fee.
- No quiero pagar una cuota litis muy alta.I do not want to pay a very high contingency fee.
- ¿Podemos acordar una cuota litis para este caso?Can we agree on a contingency fee for this case?
Example conversation
María and Javier are discussing legal costs in an office.
- María¿Cómo cobra los honorarios, Javier?How do you charge your fees, Javier?
- JavierSolo cobro una cuota litis si ganamos.I only charge a contingency fee if we win.
- MaríaEso me parece una opción justa.That seems like a fair option to me.
- JavierPerfecto, María, empecemos con el proceso.Perfect, María, let's start the process.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cuota, litis, CC BY-SA 4.0.
