Korea Civil Lawsuit Cost Calculator

Estimate Korean civil litigation costs, including stamp duty, service fees, lawyer retainer ranges, appraisal fees, e-litigation discounts, and small-claim treatment.

Case inputs

Procedure

Court level

Court fees

₩372,000

Stamp duty + service fee

Estimated total

₩3,372,000 - ₩12,872,000

Includes selected lawyer and appraisal options

Claimable lawyer fee cap

₩4,400,000

Supreme Court rule table

Small-claim status

Regular case

Threshold: KRW 30 million

Detailed breakdown

Stamp duty before discount
₩230,000
E-litigation discount
-₩23,000
Stamp duty payable
₩207,000
Service fee (2 parties x 15 rounds)
₩165,000
Lawyer retainer estimate
₩3,000,000 - ₩5,000,000
Success fee estimate
₩5,000,000 - ₩7,500,000
Appraisal fee
₩0

This Korea-based estimate uses the same civil stamp-duty brackets, service-fee rounds, e-litigation discount, small-claim threshold, appraisal-fee table, and lawyer-fee market assumptions as the Korean calculator. It is planning information, not legal advice.

Related calculators

What is the Korea civil lawsuit cost calculator?

This calculator estimates the total cost of filing or defending a civil lawsuit in South Korea. It covers court-paid costs such as stamp duty and service fees, and it can also estimate lawyer retainers, success fees, and appraisal fees in one view. The calculation reflects the 2026 civil stamp-duty rules and the service-fee rate of KRW 5,500 per service round, effective from June 1, 2025.

Cost planning matters before litigation. Stamp duty changes with the claim amount, and appeal or Supreme Court stages add more court costs. By estimating the cost before filing, you can compare the economic value of litigation, settlement, payment order, provisional attachment, or court mediation.

Korea-based calculator

This tool is based on Korean civil procedure cost rules. It is intended for people estimating costs for a dispute in Korea, and it does not replace advice from a Korean lawyer, judicial scrivener, or the court.

Who this is useful for

  • Individuals or companies considering a civil claim in Korea
  • Creditors planning debt, purchase-price, wage, or damages recovery
  • Business owners comparing litigation cost against expected recovery
  • People preparing a payment order, provisional attachment, or provisional injunction
  • Users who want a rough market range for lawyer retainers and success fees
  • Claimants checking whether the KRW 30 million small-claim procedure applies
  • Parties deciding whether to use Korean e-litigation for the stamp-duty discount

Main components of litigation cost

1. Stamp duty

Stamp duty is the court fee paid when a complaint or application is filed. Under Article 2 of the Act on the Stamps Attached for Civil Litigation, the base is the claim amount, also called the value of the object of litigation.

Stamp-duty rate by claim amount

  • Under KRW 10 million: claim amount x 0.50%
  • KRW 10 million to under KRW 100 million: claim amount x 0.45% + KRW 5,000
  • KRW 100 million to under KRW 1 billion: claim amount x 0.40% + KRW 55,000
  • KRW 1 billion and above: claim amount x 0.35% + KRW 555,000

If the stamp amount is under KRW 1,000, it is treated as KRW 1,000. If it is KRW 1,000 or more, amounts below KRW 100 are discarded. Appeal stamp duty is 1.5 times the first-instance amount, and Supreme Court stamp duty is 2 times the first-instance amount.

2. Service fee

The service fee covers court delivery of complaints, decisions, judgments, and other case documents. From June 1, 2025, the Korean service fee is KRW 5,500 per service round.

Service rounds by procedure, per party

  • Small claim of KRW 30 million or less: 10 rounds
  • First-instance single-judge or panel case: 15 rounds
  • Appeal: 12 rounds
  • Supreme Court appeal: 8 rounds
  • Payment order: 6 rounds
  • Civil settlement or mediation: 5 rounds

Service fee = number of parties x KRW 5,500 x required rounds. For example, a first-instance lawsuit with one plaintiff and one defendant costs 2 x KRW 5,500 x 15 = KRW 165,000 in service fees.

3. Lawyer fees

Korean lawyer fees usually consist of a retainer and a success fee. Actual fees are set by agreement between lawyer and client, so market ranges vary by claim size, complexity, and urgency.

Reference market range for 2025-2026

  • Small claims of KRW 30 million or less: KRW 1-3 million retainer, 10-20% success fee
  • KRW 30 million to KRW 100 million: KRW 3-5 million retainer, 10-15% success fee
  • KRW 100 million to KRW 500 million: KRW 5-10 million retainer, 8-12% success fee
  • KRW 500 million and above: retainer from KRW 10 million, 5-10% success fee

If you win, part of your lawyer fee can be claimed from the losing party under the Supreme Court Rules on Inclusion of Attorney Fees in Litigation Costs. The recoverable amount is not the full amount you paid; it is limited by a separate table.

4. Appraisal fee

If the dispute requires valuation of real estate, goods, or specialized assets, an appraisal fee may be incurred. The fee is calculated from the appraisal value under Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport public notice standards, and 10% VAT is added separately.

Retroactive appraisals or special-purpose assets can increase the fee, sometimes to 1.5 times the base rate. Travel expenses, document-issuance costs, and other actual expenses may also be added.

How to use the calculator

Step 1: Enter the claim amount

Enter the amount in dispute. If the claim amount is KRW 30 million or less, the small-claim treatment is applied automatically.

Step 2: Select procedure and court level

Choose civil lawsuit, payment order, provisional attachment or injunction, or court settlement. Then select first instance, appeal, or Supreme Court. The stamp and service-fee rules adjust by procedure.

Step 3: Set parties and options

Enter the number of plaintiffs and defendants. Turn on e-litigation to apply the 10% stamp-duty discount. You can also include lawyer fee and appraisal fee estimates.

Step 4: Review the result

Review stamp duty, service fee, lawyer fee range, appraisal fee, and estimated total cost. Use the result to compare filing, settlement, mediation, or a payment order.

Common litigation scenarios

Loan repayment claim

If a friend or acquaintance does not repay a loan, you can file a repayment lawsuit. A promissory note, bank-transfer history, text messages, and other proof improve your chance of success.

Example: KRW 10 million loan claim

  • Stamp duty: about KRW 45,000 with e-litigation
  • Service fee: about KRW 110,000 for two parties in a small claim
  • Lawyer retainer: about KRW 1-3 million if retained
  • Total court-paid cost: about KRW 155,000

Unpaid wage lawsuit

This covers unpaid wages, severance pay, annual-leave allowance, and similar employment claims. Wage nonpayment can also trigger criminal liability under Korean labor law.

In practice, workers often file a complaint with the labor office first at no cost. If that does not resolve the matter, a civil lawsuit or small-claim procedure can follow.

Real estate sales dispute

Real estate disputes can involve breach of contract, defects, unpaid purchase price, or cancellation. If valuation is required, appraisal fees are added.

For high-value property, stamp duty can be substantial. Before filing, consider mediation or settlement, because a settlement application uses only one-fifth of the main lawsuit stamp duty.

Payment order

A payment order is a simpler and cheaper procedure for monetary or fungible-thing claims. Stamp duty is only one-tenth of the main complaint, and service fees use 6 rounds.

If the debtor does not object within 14 days, the order has the same effect as a final judgment. If the debtor objects, the case automatically converts to a civil lawsuit and additional stamp duty is required.

Korean e-litigation guide

The Supreme Court e-litigation system at ecfs.scourt.go.kr gives a 10% discount on stamp duty. The larger the claim amount, the more meaningful the discount becomes.

E-litigation discount examples

  • KRW 10 million claim: KRW 50,000 stamp duty to KRW 45,000, saving KRW 5,000
  • KRW 100 million claim: KRW 455,000 to KRW 409,500, saving KRW 45,500
  • KRW 500 million claim: KRW 2,055,000 to KRW 1,849,500, saving KRW 205,500
  • KRW 1 billion claim: KRW 4,055,000 to KRW 3,649,500, saving KRW 405,500
  • Sign up with a Korean joint certificate or supported identity method.
  • Submit complaints and applications online.
  • View documents, service status, hearing dates, and judgments online.
  • Electronic submission saves time because documents are filed immediately without postal delivery.

Small-claim procedure

Money, fungible goods, or securities claims with a value of KRW 30 million or less use the simplified procedure under the Small Claims Trial Act.

  • Performance recommendation: the court can recommend performance when the complaint is filed. If the defendant does not object within 14 days, it has judgment-like effect.
  • One-hearing principle: the court can conclude argument in one hearing and issue a quick decision.
  • Simplified judgment reasons: written reasons may be simplified or omitted.
  • Lower service fee: 10 rounds per party, compared with 15 rounds in ordinary first-instance cases.
  • Self-representation: close family members can represent a party without court permission in some cases.
  • Limited Supreme Court appeal: appeals are allowed only for limited grounds such as constitutional or Supreme Court precedent violations.

Ways to reduce litigation cost

  • Use e-litigation: it provides a 10% stamp-duty discount and easier document management.
  • Try payment order first: for money claims, the stamp duty is only one-tenth of the main lawsuit.
  • Use settlement or mediation: court settlement uses only one-fifth of the main stamp duty.
  • Set the claim amount carefully: excessive claims can increase stamp duty without improving recovery.
  • Check Korea Legal Aid Corporation support: low-income users may qualify for free consultation or representation.
  • Remember cost recovery after winning: stamp duty, service fees, and a capped lawyer fee can be claimed from the losing party.

FAQ

Q. What happens if I do not pay enough stamp duty?

The presiding judge will issue a correction order. If the missing stamp duty is not paid within the correction period, the complaint can be rejected.

Q. If I lose, do I pay every cost?

The losing party bears litigation costs such as stamp duty, service fees, and the recoverable lawyer fee amount. In a partial win, the court sets a percentage. Actual lawyer fees are not fully recoverable; the Supreme Court rule table limits the amount.

Q. How is a payment order different from a lawsuit?

A payment order is handled in writing without oral argument. It is much cheaper, but if the debtor objects, it converts to ordinary civil litigation.

Q. How much does provisional attachment cost?

The stamp duty for provisional attachment or injunction applications is fixed at KRW 10,000. However, the court may require security deposit, often around 10-30% of the claim amount depending on the case.

Q. Can I represent myself without a lawyer?

Yes. Self-representation is possible, especially in small claims. Complex cases or high-value claims usually justify professional help.

Q. Can litigation costs be reduced or deferred?

Litigation aid can defer or waive stamp duty and service fees in qualifying cases. Korea Legal Aid Corporation and Legal Home Doctor programs may also provide free consultation or support.

Pre-litigation checklist

  • Organize evidence: contracts, promissory notes, payment records, messages, email, recordings, and photos.
  • Check defendant assets: a judgment is hard to enforce if the defendant has no assets. Consider provisional attachment before filing.
  • Check limitation periods: general claims are often 10 years, commercial claims 5 years, and wage claims 3 years.
  • Send certified content mail: it creates proof of demand and may encourage settlement.
  • Compare cost and recovery: use this calculator to compare expected cost against collectible amount.
  • Confirm jurisdiction: the defendant address, place of performance, and tort location can affect the competent court.

Related laws

  • Act on the Stamps Attached for Civil Litigation: stamp-duty calculation rules
  • Civil Litigation Costs Act: scope and allocation of litigation costs
  • Civil Litigation Costs Rules: detailed standards for witness allowance, appraisal, and related costs
  • Supreme Court Rules on Inclusion of Attorney Fees in Litigation Costs: recoverable attorney-fee standards
  • Small Claims Trial Act: simplified procedure for claims of KRW 30 million or less
  • Civil Mediation Act: court mediation as an alternative to ordinary litigation

Estimate your Korea lawsuit cost now

Enter the claim amount to estimate stamp duty, service fees, lawyer cost range, appraisal fees, e-litigation discount, and small-claim treatment.

The calculator uses 2026 Korean standards and runs immediately in your browser.