Title 22 — Foreign Relations and IntercourseRelease 119-73
§277d–21 Attorneys’ fees; penalties
Title 22 › Chapter CHAPTER 7— - INTERNATIONAL BUREAUS, CONGRESSES, ETC. › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER IV— - INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARY AND WATER COMMISSION › § 277d–21
Summary
The Commissioner can include a lawyer’s fees as part of a claimant’s award, but the fee cannot be more than 10% and must come out of the award itself. A lawyer who charges over 10% can be fined up to $2,000, jailed up to one year, or both.
Full Legal Text
Title 22, §277d–21
Foreign Relations and Intercourse — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
The Commissioner, in rendering an award in favor of any claimant under section 277d–19 of this title, may, as part of such award, determine and allow reasonable attorneys’ fees which shall not exceed 10 per centum of the amount awarded, to be paid out of but not in addition to the amount of award, to the attorneys representing the claimant. Any attorney who charges, demands, receives, or collects for services rendered in connection with such claim any amount in excess of that allowed by the terms of this section, if award be made, shall be fined not more than $2,000 or imprisoned not more than one year, or both.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
22 U.S.C. § 277d–21
Title 22 — Foreign Relations and Intercourse
Last Updated
Apr 6, 2026
Release point: 119-73