success fees

USAGE SUMMARY

"success fees" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to refer to fees paid to a lawyer or professional for achieving a certain outcome. For example, "Our lawyer was successful in securing us a favorable outcome in the case, and we paid her a success fee as a reward."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The OC will not include stamp duty, which is payable when buying shares in investment trusts, nor any performance or success fees that some managers charge if their investment strategy is successful.

BBC

No 100% success fees with a maximum of 10%.

The Guardian

In the best case, Goldman and Mr. Pritzker would make additional "success fees".

The New York Times

In exchange, it said, he received "success fees" and monthly cash payments for "political commitments".

The Economist

Success fees charged by the claimant's lawyers can be up to 100percentnt of costs.

The Guardian - Business

A number of changes were implemented, including banning success fees and making public ministerial diaries.

The Guardian

The July agreement included several "success fees" if Black Cube met its goals.

The New Yorker

And these firms basically get success fees, so if they fail they get basically nothing".

The New York Times

This suggests the recoverable success fees from a losing party will shrink.

The Guardian - Opinion

"The MP's lawyers claimed costs of £387,855 – solicitor's costs of £68,340, plus 100% success fees, barrister's costs of £63,250, plus 100% success fees, VAT and libel insurance of £68,250.

The Guardian

Alternatives, like flat fees, caps, success fees and various forms of contingencies, are more often discussed than employed.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Specify the exact percentage or amount of the "success fees" in relation to the overall project cost or potential earnings to ensure transparency and prevent future disputes.

Common error

Avoid vague definitions of "success". Instead of saying "success fees will be paid upon project completion", specify measurable outcomes such as "success fees will be paid upon achieving a 20% increase in sales within the first quarter".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "success fees" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a direct object or subject complement. It identifies a specific type of payment contingent upon a successful outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, as shown in the given examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "success fees" is a commonly used and grammatically correct noun phrase that refers to payments contingent on achieving a specific outcome. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is widely used in professional settings, particularly in news and media outlets. When using "success fees", clarity is essential. Define "success" precisely and specify the payment terms to avoid disputes. Consider related terms such as "performance-based compensation" or "contingency fees" depending on the specific context. Ensure the definition of success is measurable and avoid vagueness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

performance-based compensation

This alternative emphasizes that the payment is based on achieving a certain level of performance.

contingency fees

This term specifically refers to fees paid to professionals only if they win a case or achieve a favorable outcome.

outcome-based payments

This alternative focuses on the payment being directly tied to the final outcome.

results-oriented fees

This highlights that the fees are dependent on achieving specific results.

incentive compensation

This term emphasizes the use of compensation as an incentive to achieve desired results.

conditional payments

This alternative focuses on the fact that payments are conditional on certain events.

performance bonuses

This alternative implies payments are additive rewards for good performance.

milestone payments

This term refers to payments made upon reaching specific milestones in a project or agreement.

value-based fees

This alternative emphasizes that the fees are tied to the value delivered.

achievement-linked compensation

This alternative suggests that compensation is directly linked to specific achievements.

FAQs

How are "success fees" different from standard hourly rates?

"Success fees" are contingent payments, meaning they're only paid if a specific goal is achieved, while hourly rates are paid regardless of the outcome.

What are some alternatives to using "success fees" in contracts?

Depending on the context, you could use terms like "performance-based compensation", "contingency fees", or "outcome-based payments".

In what situations are "success fees" most commonly used?

"Success fees" are frequently employed in legal agreements, financial transactions, and consulting services where achieving a specific result is paramount.

Are there any potential drawbacks to using "success fees"?

One potential drawback is the risk of disputes over whether the agreed-upon "success" criteria have been met. Clear and measurable definitions are essential to avoid such conflicts.