Legal work can change when new facts emerge, a counterparty revises its position or another jurisdiction becomes relevant. The client needs a process that allows counsel to respond appropriately while keeping authority and cost visible. A change should be described in terms of the matter and required decision, not merely as additional hours on an invoice.
Legal work can change when new facts emerge, a counterparty revises its position or another jurisdiction becomes relevant. The client needs a process that allows counsel to respond appropriately while keeping authority and cost visible. A change should be described in terms of the matter and required decision, not merely as additional hours on an invoice.
Ask counsel to explain what changed, which original assumption is affected and why the proposed work is needed. Distinguish a new client request from a development in the matter or correction of an incomplete agreed output. Have qualified legal reviewers assess substantive questions rather than treating them as procurement classifications alone.
For example, a supplier-contract review may expand into negotiation of a different agreement introduced by the counterparty. The client should understand the new document scope and business decisions required before assuming the original fixed fee covers an unlimited redraft.
Request the revised deliverable, staffing, fee estimate and dependencies. Ask what can be decided now and what depends on further information. Counsel should advise on legal timing implications; procurement should not delay necessary professional action merely because an internal purchase-order update is pending.
Identify the authorised person who can approve the change. Several business contacts should not independently instruct additional work while the engagement lead continues reporting against the original scope. Consolidated instructions protect both the client and counsel from contradictory expectations.
If the change involves another jurisdiction, forum or specialist, confirm the relevant professional arrangement and additional-counsel role. Revisit conflicts or acceptance checks as counsel advises. A broader matter may require more than a commercial increase in the existing fee cap.
Review document access and distribution when new teams join. Follow qualified advice on confidentiality and privilege-related handling. Do not move substantive legal advice into a general project workspace simply because the work now involves more departments.
Record the accepted change, authority, effective date and revised budget. Preserve the original scope and reason for change so later invoices can be understood. Review cumulative additions at phase gates and ask whether the matter now needs a new mandate. A controlled process allows legal support to adapt to reality while keeping the client informed about the work, decisions and commitments it is authorising.
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