Solicitor going on record....what does it mean?

Chevy RV · 26-09-2014 1:21pm #1

Hello All,

I am just wondering what exactly the term of solicitor going on record means?

Is it similar to an accountant agreeing to act as your agent and notifying the revenue of this fact?

Any idea of what a solicitor should charge for this service?

Many thanks for any replies.

Regards,

Chevy RV

Pro Hoc Vice · 26-09-2014 1:31pm

It means the solicitor is recorded in the Court as acting for you in a particular court case. Its not a stand alone service. There would be costs associated with filling up and lodging the document i think that satmp duty applies in the High Court.

Carawaystick · 27-09-2014 12:13am

Isn't there often articles about solicitors coming off record or asking to come off record,
I presume once you're on record you can't drop a client without good reason?

Peregrinus · 27-09-2014 4:54am

The usual reason for coming off record is that your client has terminated your retainer, which he can generally do at any time and for any reason. In most cases he'll be appointing alternative legal advisers. It's not a big deal.

Where a solicitor coming off record attracts notice and newpaper reportage it's usually because he is taking the initiative to come off record, against his client's wishes. This will usually be because he has ethical obligations which prevent him from continuing to represent the client, but his ethical obligations will also prevent him from talking publicly about exactly what the problem is.

Chevy RV · 28-09-2014 9:10pm

Pro Hoc Vice wrote: »

It means the solicitor is recorded in the Court as acting for you in a particular court case. Its not a stand alone service. There would be costs associated with filling up and lodging the document i think that satmp duty applies in the High Court.

Any idea what a reasonable charge might be for going on record?

Pro Hoc Vice · 28-09-2014 10:18pm

Chevy RV wrote: »

Any idea what a reasonable charge might be for going on record?

As I said he is not just coming on record he is agreeing to deal with a case till conclusion, ask the solicitor for a estimate of fees but no one can guess how much a case will cost, if for example its family law and both parties get on and agree everything then it can be very reasonable but if they are fighting like cats and dogs then the bills could be very big.

Chevy RV · 29-09-2014 6:21pm

Hello Pro Hoc Vice,

Thanks for your reply.

In this case, the plaintiff literally decided to pull out i think as he hadn't much of a case and common sense prevailed. Thus the solicitor had done effectively nothing apart from 1 consultation meeting with me where i gave him a complete summary of exactly what was involved up to that point in time.

That is hwy is was trying to get a handle on what would be a fair charge up until that point.

Regards,

Chevy RV

Solicitor going on record....what does it mean?

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