(せいこうほうしゅう)

せいこうほうしゅう
noun
contingency fee; success fee; performance-based reward
1. contingency fee; success fee; reward paid only on success
A payment that is owed only when a particular result is achieved, such as winning a lawsuit, closing a deal, or recovering money. Common in legal, consulting, and recruiting work, often alongside an upfront retainer.
弁護士(べんごし)成功報酬(せいこうほうしゅう)(はら)う。
I pay the lawyer a contingency fee.
この契約(けいやく)着手金(ちゃくしゅきん)なしの成功報酬(せいこうほうしゅう)(せい)だ。
This contract is contingency-fee-based, with no upfront payment.
回収(かいしゅう)できた金額(きんがく)二割(にわり)成功報酬(せいこうほうしゅう)として()()る。
They receive twenty percent of the amount recovered as a contingency fee.

Compound of 成功(せいこう) (success) + 報酬(ほうしゅう) (reward, remuneration). The fee is conditional on a result being achieved.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 成功報酬(せいこうほうしゅう)(がた): contingency-fee type (arrangement)
  • 成功報酬(せいこうほうしゅう)支払(しはら)う: to pay a success fee
  • 完全(かんぜん)成功報酬(せいこうほうしゅう): pure contingency fee (with no retainer)

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 着手金(ちゃくしゅきん): retainer fee — paid upfront when work begins, regardless of outcome
  • 報酬(ほうしゅう): reward, remuneration — the general term, not tied to success