Solicitors fees - daylight robbery!!!

[Axlechaos]

I asked my solicitor for a breakdown on the work she had done for me during my ongoing divorce. She replied that she didn't itemise the charges, and that this was carried out by the law society. She simply presented me with the bill once this had been done. Of course, when I received the bill, it was for a lump sum and not itemised. I did not have a clue what I was paying for!

I would think that the same solicitor would not walk into a supermarket, and pay for goods without knowing their cost.

Why then should they be any different to any other public sector - or am I missing something here?

[sequenci]

Have you asked the law society if this is the case?

[Axlechaos]

Hi - thanks for geting back, and no I haven't been in touch with the law society. I must admit, I hadn't thought about that option - I just assumed that they were a no-go area for the average punter.

It is as if you were treading on hallowed ground if you were to talk about anything other than what to do next and the bill. That's my perception anyway.

[sequenci]

See if you can get some advice of these people:-

LCS: Legal Complaints Service home

0845 608 6565

[seftonview]

This may help:-

Paying for legal services

Your solicitor's bill

All bills should show you the dates between which the work was done and enough information for you to decide whether the bill is reasonable. Sometimes your solicitor will accompany the bill with a print out of a computer time record or work summary.
If you want more information you may request a bill containing detailed items within three months of receiving a summary bill. This will then replace the summary bill and may be for more.
More information on querying your solicitor's bill.



Source: The Law Society - Paying for legal services

[JonCris]

Of course a solicitor must itemize their bill.

Request a remuneration certificate which cannot be refused & the cost of which falls upon the person rendering the bill

[sequenci]

Originally Posted by JonCris

Of course a solicitor must itemize their bill.

Request a remuneration certificate which cannot be refused & the cost of which falls upon the person rendering the bill

Great advice!

[seftonview]

Originally Posted by JonCris

Of course a solicitor must itemize their bill.

Request a remuneration certificate which cannot be refused & the cost of which falls upon the person rendering the bill

A renumeration certificate can't be supplied for the OP because divorce proceedings are contentious, therefore exempt.

[sequenci]

Originally Posted by seftonview

A renumeration certificate can't be supplied for the OP because divorce proceedings are contentious, therefore exempt.

arrghh!

(you can see i know little about this area)

[JonCris]

A RC can be requested for advice given before the Court rubber stamps the petition

However perhaps what I should have said the OP can go for a detailed assessment

[seftonview]

Originally Posted by JonCris

A RC can be requested for advice given before the Court rubber stamps the petition

However perhaps what I should have said the OP can go for a detailed assessment

However if the OP requests a detailed bill, the detailed bill may in fact be for more than the original bill was, and a charge can be made for the calculation of a detailed bill.

[JonCris]

Highly unlikely unless little was done in the 1st instance