Preparing to pay solicitor's fees

Zxc

A work colleague has been involved in a drawn out case which has meant consultations with her solicitor for over a year. The case may be resolved in the next few months but she's anxious about the solicitor's fees after it is all over.

She doesn't know what the final amount will be but in order to avert a huge amount due in one lump sum, she's considering starting to pay him smaller sums, a few hundred over a number of months.

I'm not so sure this would be the right way to approach it. Or am I wrong? How would it be viewed by the solicitor? Would it effect the final bill? Could they just adjust the final amount upwards?

What would those in and out of the legal area advise?

servicecharge

First she needs to remember like any service provider if you have a problem paying: say it up front. The solicitor is going to realise that if the amount is substantial than it will be difficult to pay in one go.

I can tell you in my practical experience a solicitor will be happy to accept a reasonable offer of monthly instalments.

Secondly, she needs to remember that she is entitled to have the bill reviewed in what is called 'taxation' before the 'taxing master/registrar'. It has nothing to do with tax! It is a independent quasi-judge who will review the bill to ensure it is fair. To have it submitted for this review she just has to ask her solicitor to have the bill 'taxed'. I strongly recommend this.

She is also entitled to a detailed bill of costs (frequently prepared by a legal cost accountant), not just a one line bill saying Professional services €€€€€.

Gangu

Tell her to ask now what the current fees are, and to discuss matters with her solicitor. I am a business law solicitor, but some of the companies I act for are in difficulty. I have, on occaision, agreed stage payments of bills and have received post dated cheques to deal with the payments. Its working well at the moment in terms of an approach.