Editable template for Canadian law firms
Legal invoice template for Canada
Download a reusable legal billing format for matters, time entries, professional fees, disbursements, trust drawdowns, GST/HST, BC PST, QST and client balances.
- ✓Includes matter number, responsible practitioner, law society number, billing period and fee arrangement.
- ✓Separates professional fees, disbursements, taxable recharges, trust credits and payments.
- ✓Editable in Google Sheets, Google Docs, Excel and Word; review BC PST, QST and trust-account requirements.
Prefer to fill it online? Open the Canadian legal invoice generator.
Legal invoice template
Editable format for Canada
Designed for matter-level billing where fees, disbursements, trust money and tax treatment must remain separate.
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Legal invoice template for Canada
A Canadian legal invoice should connect the bill to the client matter, responsible practitioner and billing period. The template keeps professional fees, disbursements, trust funds and taxes separate.
Legal services are generally taxable for GST/HST when supplied by a registered firm. British Columbia PST and Quebec QST can require additional review.
Fields to keep in the legal template
- Law firm or practitioner name, business number and GST/HST account number where applicable.
- Client, matter number, matter name, billing period and responsible practitioner.
- Law society number or registration reference where relevant.
- Professional fees, time entries, court fees, searches, counsel, courier, copying and disbursements separately.
- Trust or retainer funds applied, payment received, GST/HST, BC PST or QST and balance due.
GST/HST, BC PST and disbursements
CRA guidance supports charging GST/HST on taxable professional services when registered. British Columbia PST Bulletin 106 says PST applies to legal services and gives specific rules for taxable legal services and certain disbursements.
Keep true client disbursements, taxable recharges and professional fees separate so the bill can be reviewed correctly.
Common legal template mistakes
- Omitting the matter number, billing period or responsible practitioner.
- Combining fees and disbursements into one line.
- Applying trust money without showing the credit.
- Ignoring BC PST or QST where they apply.
- Including privileged or sensitive matter detail beyond what the bill needs.
FAQs about Canadian legal invoice templates
Do legal invoices charge GST/HST?
Registered law firms generally charge GST/HST on taxable legal services. Provincial tax such as BC PST or QST may also need review.
Should fees and disbursements be separate?
Yes. It helps clients review the bill and helps the firm apply the correct tax and trust accounting treatment.
How do I show trust money applied?
Show earned fees and incurred costs, then show trust or retainer funds applied as a payment or credit according to practice procedures.
