Should solicitors pay this bill?

[casey]

My husband was asked by a firm of solicitors to carry out work on behalf of a client. He estimated the cost of the work and this came well within the estimate and he invoiced accordingly. Invoice was sent in March and several statements, reminders sent since but with no response. When phoned they promised to phone back but never did. Eventually my husband did manage to talk to the person who instructed him to do the work and was told that they had not been able to get the money from the client and that he had now moved abroad and they would try to see if they could get the payment!!!!

My husband was instructed by the solicitor and never met or even knew the name and address of the client.

I would have thought it was the solicitor's responsibility for payment.

Any comments would be appreciated.

[cerberusalert]

I would have thought it was the solicitor's responsibility for payment.

They are, they were the ones that instructed and hired him. The onus is on them to make payment and then recoup from their client. He could send them a letter before action threatening legal action against them and also a complaint to the SRA Solicitors Regulation Authority - For solicitors

[casey]

Thanks for this advice cerberusalert - sorry for delay in responding - it has just been one of those weeks. Will do as you suggest and will let you know what happens.

[casey]

Just an update. After writing to the solicitors we have eventually received a letter saying that they have now managed to obtain payment from their client but we will have to wait until the cheque has cleared before they can issue us a cheque. Still think it is very unfair of them.

[cerberusalert]

He could claim statutory interest on the amount owing, but in all honestly I doubt whether it would be worth pursuing. At least he is now going to receive payment now.

[casey]

Yes, it probably won't be worth pursuing. Certainly won't be doing any more work for them. We have dealt with this firm before with no problems but this is a branch office so may well be worth sending a letter to head office - they may not know about the problem.

[cerberusalert]

You could write to their head office and ask for a copy of their complaints procedures & see what develops from there.