What is the penalty for a law firm not signing a legal service contract in writing?

Legal Consulting Office of Lao Dong Newspaper answers:

Clause 5, Article 9 of Decree 109/2026/ND-CP Regulating penalties for administrative violations in the field of judicial support; judicial administration; marriage and family; civil judgment enforcement; recovery, bankruptcy of enterprises, cooperatives (effective from May 18, 2026), stipulates as follows: A fine of between 30 million VND and 40 million VND shall be imposed for one of the following acts:

a) Performing legal services without signing a legal service contract in writing;

b) Providing legal services to customers with opposing interests in the same case;

c) Operating without being granted an operating registration certificate.

Clause 7, Article 9, Decree 109/2026/ND-CP stipulates additional penalties as follows: Suspension of operation for 03 months to 06 months for violations specified in points c, d and g, clause 3, point d, clause 4, point a and point b, clause 5 of this Article.

Point b, Clause 8, Article 9 of Decree 109/2026/ND-CP stipulates remedial measures as follows: Forcing the return of illegal profits obtained from the act of violating the provisions of points c and d, clause 3, clauses 4, 5 and 6 of this Article.

Clause 5, Article 4, Decree 109/2026/ND-CP stipulates: The fine level specified in Articles 9, 10, 11, 17, 18, 26, 30, 32, 34, 39, 49, 52, 55, 67, 69, 74, 75, 76 and 81 of this Decree is the fine level for administrative violations of organizations.

Thus, from May 18, 2026, lawyer offices that do not sign legal service contracts in writing with customers will be fined up to 40 million VND and will be subject to additional penalties and remedial measures as above.