Settlement & Costs

kilronan

Hi there

Wondering if anyone can help me.

I had an accident a few years ago and we recently settled before the court case. I received a setttlement cheque from the insurance company almost straight away. I was under the impression that my costs would be paid seperately? Is this the norm?
I received a letter from my solicitor yesterday morning including a bill of costs (their costs) also saying thanks for your business etc etc and that their costs have been discharged by the defendant. Now Im wondering if Ive interpreted it incorrectly and that maybe my costs were part of the settlement? I rang my solicitor but he is on hols for 3 weeks. Wondering will I receive a cheque for my costs/expenses and whom from, the defendants solicitor or my solicitor?

Can anyone tell me what's the normal practice. Thanks in advance

Tom Young

It depends on the nature of the settlement. In general terms the costs would be discharged in full by the Defendant, which appears to be the case above:

I received a letter from my solicitor yesterday morning including a bill of costs (their costs) also saying thanks for your business etc etc and that their costs have been discharged by the defendant.

kilronan

Tom Young - Thanks for your reply... Im wondering about my costs though? The letter I received from my solicitor was about their costs being discharged?

Tom Young

This is very simple. If your solicitor is billing you for something, then you obviously owe them. You say otherwise, so on the face of what you say above, their costs are discharged.

Your costs - should be covered in the cheque you got in full and final settlement for whatever happened. Simple as that.

End of discussion.

Tom

Jo King

You will not be getting a second cheque from anybody. What your solicitor means is that the feees he has charged you and the money he has outlaid on your behalf have been paid to him. You do not owe him any more money.

kilronan

Thanks Tom.