ABSTRACT
An approximation of the amount spent by clients on contingent fees can be made from the available figures on national expenditures on all legal services, as interpreted in the light of known patterns of use of legal services and fee practices. The US Department of Commerce provides information on the amount of money spent by individuals for various types of goods and services. Holbrook's study of the business of the Los Angeles courts in 1953-1954 indicates that about 60% of contract claims for a small amount are for goods and services, the actions being brought by collection agencies. The work of courts which handle suits involving larger amounts is concerned more with trials, the heart of judicial administration. The survey of the use of the contingent fee in proceedings of some administrative agencies indicates that it stands out as the dominant method for financing legal services of private lawyers to an even greater extent than in court proceedings.
