Solicitors - bah !

[tamborine]

Court lifted caveat off Will & exes were awared in my favour, Life Insurance paid out = all to solicitor. The solicitor has claimed ALL, £100k+ as his 'Success Fee', such fees were never mentioned.

What kinda business is this ?

[ummmm]

Did you read the small print?

[Sqad]

LOL....the sort of business that I would have liked to have been in.

[tamborine]

I had the usual contract of £240ph that I signed and that would be included in the expense claim.

[sandyRoe]

Tell the solicitor you're going to ask the Law Society if that is considered a fair fee.

[tamborine]

you can only laugh eh sqad

[ummmm]

Do what Sandy says...

[Barmaid]

A "success fee" is only payable on a CFA (Conditional fee agreement) and then it should be a percentage uplift on base fees.

When you originally instructed him, he should have sent you a letter detailing what his fees should be. That (and any updates) are the key to this.

[Sqad]

tambo.......at least you are being ripped off by an upmarket thief.

[tamborine]

I intend to ummmm...

[tamborine]

thanx barmaid - he's got greedy after seeing the other sides costs, as presented in Court. I think you might recall the case?

[ummmm]

Good....now check out what BM says...

[sandyRoe]

Sqad, I'm sure the fact that Tamborine been robbed by someone in a Saville Row suit will be a great consolation.

[Sqad]

sandy.....exactly........very important to us snobs ;-)

[Barmaid]

You did mention it before, but I deal with SO many probate jobs I can't remember.

What did the Court order so far as your costs were concerned?

[tamborine]

barmaid - Mr Francis, remember ?

[tamborine]

Bm, think it was 'standard' payout.

[sandyRoe]

I'm reminded of a case I read about some time ago where a surgeon cut the wrong leg of a chap by mistake.
The fact that the surgeon did a bit of moonlighting in Harley St must have almost made the experience worthwhile for the amputee.

[tamborine]

sandy - this case brought me to AB initially. Wills, dont seem worth the paper they're written on.

[Barmaid]

Ah, I remember, although i don't recall the case details since I am not sure it has been reported on the databases I use.

if your costs were to be paid by the other side on the standard basis - they should pay any uplift if you were on a CFA. OK, so those costs are likely to be subject to detailed assessment which means you won't get them all (normally about 75% or 80%) from the other side. I am staggered at why this solicitor thinks he is entitled to take a "success fee" after the event. Look at the fees information letters you have. If this "success fee" is not mentioned, I really cannot see how he is entitled to it. You might want to seek advice elsewhere!

[tamborine]

should I check it online Bm ? 'Success Fees' are a new one to me - never heard that before.