Why Two Lawyers Often Cost Less Than One

Because you fund one path, not both.

Published: 18 November 2025 | Reviewed: 14 February 2026

The Structural Cost Issue

In the traditional litigation model, one lawyer manages both settlement negotiations and trial preparation within a single engagement.

This structure is common and professionally orthodox.
It does not involve duplication of work.

However, when settlement strategy and trial preparation sit within the same billing structure, the timing of when trial work begins can be difficult for clients to observe.
Early preparatory steps, taken prudently, may also increase cost exposure before negotiation has concluded.

The issue is not professional integrity.
It is structural alignment.

Where settlement and trial preparation coexist within one role, clients may fund elements of both paths before a final direction is chosen.

The Structural Separation

Clean Law separates these roles.

Lane 1 – Settlement, Timing and Escrow Oversight
Clean Law manages negotiation, alternative dispute resolution, and stage-based cost approvals.

Lane 2 – Trial Preparation and Advocacy
The independently retained courtroom lawyer conducts pleadings, evidence preparation, and contested hearings.

You fund Lane 1 first.
Lane 2 is funded only if you elect to proceed to trial.

This separation is explained further in the Two-Lawyer Collaboration & Escrow Oversight Statement and the Advocacy Boundaries & Independence Policy.

Incentive Alignment

Clean Law charges fixed fees for its oversight and settlement role.

A results-based bonus is payable only where early resolution avoids identifiable trial costs that would otherwise have been incurred. The bonus is not calculated as a percentage of damages and is not a contingency fee.

If no trial costs are avoided, no bonus applies.

Because Clean Law does not conduct contested hearings and does not earn trial fees, it cannot benefit financially from escalation.

The courtroom lawyer is remunerated only for work genuinely required in the trial lane.

This division creates alignment:

• Early resolution benefits the client.

• Early resolution benefits Clean Law.

• Escalation to trial benefits only the trial advocate engaged for that purpose.

Why This Matters

By separating settlement and trial functions:

• Clients fund only the path their matter actually takes.

• Trial preparation does not begin unless and until the client authorises it.

• Each stage is defined, approved, and documented through escrow safeguards.

Escrow oversight and annual audit requirements further reinforce this structure.

The result is not a promise of lower cost in every case.
It is a structure designed to make cost exposure visible before it expands.

Summary

Two independent lawyers often cost less than one, because the matter funds one path at a time, not both simultaneously.

The separation of roles aligns incentives.
Escrow protects authority.
Governance keeps the boundaries clear.

Cost safety becomes structural.

By Nicky Wang
Principal Solicitor
Legal Liaison Ltd (trading as Clean Law)

Prepared in accordance with public-interest governance, annual Law Society trust-account audits, and ACNC-reported standards.

Disclaimer: General information only. Not legal advice.