Solicitors Fees

[jayhenbro]

My wife and myself did visit a Solicitor for an initial consultation just before Christmas. The conversation
lasted about half hour, when no advice was given of any material benefit. Other than to advise us to leave �500.,
and she would consult a Barrister.
At the end of this time, she asked for �100. which we foolishly paid on the spot. But when we came to our senses
we both felt that it was excessive.

Have we any redress.?.

[Barmaid]

Contact the Law Society. My feeling is that you should have been told what the fees were upfront to start with. However, �100 for half an hour's advice is within the bounds of reasonableness.

If this relates to your wife's late aunt's will, you are going to have to seek the advice of counsel on such a complicated issue at some point. Personally, I think you are not going to get much for counsel's advice for 500 quid in these circumstances (you are going to need Chancery counsel who are usually a bit pricier) and 750 is probably closer.

On the upside, if you win, you have a reasonably good chance of getting your costs back either from the other side or from the silly solicitor who mucked things up in the first place.

[jayhenbro]

Thank you Barmaid !

We have taken your advice and instructed a STEP Solicitor.

Will let you know the outcome.