---
title: "Screen whether Rule 1.5 still applies to this client"
url: "https://ailawframework.com/obligations/costs-billing-and-litigation-funding/screen-whether-the-client-sits-outside-the-costs-disclosure-part/united-states"
type: "task_jurisdiction_version"
site: "AI Law Framework"
id: "A42-PE20261022-4-US"
practice_area: "Costs, billing & litigation funding"
tier: "yellow"
lawyer_review: "required"
jurisdictions: ["US"]
last_reviewed: "2026-10-22"
---

# Screen whether Rule 1.5 still applies to this client

> List whether the file shows a regularly represented client who will be charged on the same basis or rate. Do not treat a commercial or government client as outside the rule.

Canonical page: https://ailawframework.com/obligations/costs-billing-and-litigation-funding/screen-whether-the-client-sits-outside-the-costs-disclosure-part/united-states  
Last reviewed: 2026-10-22

Site index for agents: https://ailawframework.com/llms.txt

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Practice area | [Costs, billing & litigation funding](https://ailawframework.com/obligations/costs-billing-and-litigation-funding.md) |
| Human involvement | Yellow: Lawyer and AI draft together |
| How AI is used | List whether the file shows a regularly represented client who will be charged on the same basis or rate. Do not treat a commercial or government client as outside the rule. |
| What the lawyer must review | You decide whether the Rule 1.5(b) exception applies. Rule 1.5(a) forbids an unreasonable fee or an unreasonable amount for expenses, and Rule 1.5(b) requires the scope and the basis or rate of the fee and expenses to be communicated, preferably in writing, before or within a reasonable time after the representation starts. The only exception stated in paragraph (b) is when the lawyer will charge a regularly represented client on the same basis or rate. Any change in the basis or rate of the fee or expenses must still be communicated. Comment [2] describes that exception as an understanding that has ordinarily evolved with a regularly represented client. These pages do not take a commercial client or a government client outside Rule 1.5. The tool does not decide that the client is regularly represented or that the basis or rate is the same. |
| Written for | United States |
| Applies to | [Screen whether the client sits outside the costs disclosure Part](https://ailawframework.com/obligations/costs-billing-and-litigation-funding/screen-whether-the-client-sits-outside-the-costs-disclosure-part.md) |

## Checking plan

- What the AI does: List whether the file shows a regularly represented client who will be charged on the same basis or rate. Do not treat a commercial or government client as outside the rule.
- Basis: Checked against the linked sources on 22 October 2026. Confirm the current instrument before reliance.

## Notes

- There is no commercial-client or government-client carve-out on these pages.
- The same-basis exception does not excuse communicating a later change in basis, rate, or expenses.

## Sources

- [ABA Model Rule 1.5, Fees](https://www.americanbar.org/groups/professional_responsibility/publications/model_rules_of_professional_conduct/rule_1_5_fees/) (checked 2026-10-22)
- [ABA Model Rule 1.5, Comment](https://www.americanbar.org/groups/professional_responsibility/publications/model_rules_of_professional_conduct/rule_1_5_fees/comment_on_rule_1_5/) (checked 2026-10-22)

*Practice guidance for planning and review. Confirm current primary sources and the requirements of the actual matter. This is general information, not legal advice.*