There is no official tariff for lawyer fees in Oman. Fees are set by written agreement between the lawyer and the client, as required by the Advocacy and Legal Consultancy Law issued by Royal Decree 41/2024. At Said Ibrahim Ambusaidi Advocates and Legal Consultations (SIA) in Al Khoudh, Muscat, the first consultation is free by phone or WhatsApp.

Which law governs lawyer fees in Oman?

The legal profession in Oman is now regulated by the Advocacy and Legal Consultancy Law, issued by Royal Decree 41/2024, which replaced the former Advocacy Law issued by Royal Decree 108/96 and entered into force in 2025. The new law requires that fees follow a written contract between the advocate and the client. That written contract is the foundation, and it protects both sides.

One important client protection is worth knowing. An advocate may not take an in-kind share of the disputed rights as payment. A lawyer cannot agree to keep part of the property or the money that the case itself is about.

How are fees actually determined?

With no mandatory tariff, fees vary from case to case according to objective factors. The main ones:

The type and nature of the matter. A complex commercial dispute is not a simple tenancy claim.
The court degree: first instance, appeal or the Supreme Court, each involving separate work.
The expected volume of work: hearings, memoranda, documents and expert evidence.
The legal and factual complexity, including multiple parties or legal systems.
The kind of work: court advocacy, contract drafting, a written opinion or representation in arbitration.

In practice, several fee structures are common: a lump sum for the whole case, a fee per stage, hourly billing for advisory work, and sometimes an additional element linked to the outcome, within the limits the law allows. What matters is that the agreement is written and clear before the work starts.

What happens if there is a dispute over fees?

The law assigns fee disputes between advocates and clients to the civil circuits of the courts of first instance, and a claim for fees is time-barred five years after the work ends. The law also regulates termination: if the client ends the engagement without acceptable justification after the advocate has started work, the advocate is entitled to the agreed fees. All of this points to the same practical rule. A clear written fee agreement protects you and protects your lawyer.

What does SIA’s free consultation cover?

We state it plainly: the first consultation is free, by phone or WhatsApp on +968 9706 3030. It covers:

You describing your matter and us hearing the essential facts.
A first assessment of your legal position and the options open to you.
What documents and steps the work would need if you decide to proceed.
A straightforward explanation of how our fees would be calculated, before you commit to anything.

Work beyond that first consultation, such as studying a full file, drafting a memorandum or appearing in court, is done under fees agreed in writing before we start. We do not begin work before you know what it costs.

Key facts

Oman has no unified or official tariff for lawyer fees.
The Advocacy and Legal Consultancy Law, Royal Decree 41/2024, requires fees to follow a written contract between advocate and client.
Fee disputes are decided by the civil circuits of the courts of first instance, and fee claims are time-barred five years after the work ends.
An advocate may not take an in-kind share of the disputed rights as payment.
The first consultation at Said Ibrahim Ambusaidi Advocates and Legal Consultations is free by phone or WhatsApp on +968 9706 3030.

When to involve a lawyer

Whenever the right at stake is worth more than the cost of getting it wrong. Before signing a significant contract, when you receive notice of a claim, or before filing one. Early advice often saves the whole cost of litigation. SIA handles civil, commercial, criminal, family, cybercrime and higher education matters, and represents clients before courts across Oman.

Start with a free consultation by phone or WhatsApp on +968 9706 3030, Sunday to Thursday, 9:00 to 13:00 and 14:00 to 17:00 Oman time. We work in Arabic and English.

This article is general legal information, not legal advice.