What are internal costs with a predetermined billing value, such as copy and facsimile services, called?

The term for internal costs with a predetermined billing value, like copy and facsimile services, is referred to as soft disbursements. These costs are typically associated with administrative expenses that are necessary for the operations of a law firm but do not involve direct out-of-pocket expenditures that would need to be billed to clients.

Soft disbursements cover services and resources that are generally used internally within a firm and are often estimated and set in advance for convenience in billing clients. This contrasts with hard costs, which refer to direct, billable expenses incurred on behalf of the client, such as court filing fees or expert witness fees. Understanding this distinction is crucial for effective financial management within a legal setting, as it helps in tracking and managing different types of costs associated with running a law practice.