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Glite Dictionary
fee splitting

fee splitting

6.1
Giving part of a fee to someone who refers a client
  • noun
  • /fi ˈsplɪtɪŋ/
  • Formal
translation icon : división de honorarios
  • They all were trying to make money as brokers between lawyers and clients without violating rules against fee splitting.

Examples

  • In many states, fee splitting among lawyers can lead to disciplinary actions if not properly disclosed.

  • There, the ban on fee-splitting is expected to be relaxed, allowing lawyers to work for corporations such as banks and insurance companies that want to offer legal services.

    Academic text (2005)

  • But such fee-splitting isn't permitted with for-profit enterprises such as LegalMatch.

    Academic text (2005)

  • The doctors agreed on a system of fee splitting to ensure that referrals were fairly compensated.

  • Regulations surrounding fee splitting aim to maintain ethical standards in legal and medical professions.

Synonyms

finder's fee
vsfee splitting
17 4.9

A payment to someone who introduces two people for a business deal

is a specific practice of sharing fees for client referrals in professions

Surface Forms

fee splitting singular
fee splittings plural

Morphology

fee + splitting

The noun combines 'fee' (a payment) with 'splitting' (dividing), so the meaning 'dividing or sharing a fee' is directly derivable from the constituents. A B1 learner who knows both words can infer it refers to sharing payments (often between professionals), even if the specific referral/legal nuance is specialized.

Etymology

The phrase fee splitting comes from the simple image of splitting a fee in two, so one person keeps part and gives the other part to someone else. It refers to paying part of a bill to someone who 'refers' or sends a client, and that's why today the term often has a bad meaning like 'unethical'.