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CAN I CHALLENGE MY
LEGAL BILL
If you are not satisfied with our bill for any
reason we always recommend that you raise the matter with us
in the first instance. We try to give enough detail in our bill
so that you can understand how your bill have been arrived at
but will give a further detailed breakdown in response to any
queries you may have. Usually this will address any concerns
or misunderstandings. However, if you are still not satisfied
you can then you have the right to have our charges reviewed.
There are two methods which are detailed below although we are
sure that you will never feel the need to envoke these procedures
in relation to our charges:-
1. Remuneration
Certificate
Within one month of receiving our bill you may
request us to apply to the Law Society for a remuneration certificate.
We will then send our file to the The Law Society who will review
our charges and issue a certificate which will state that either
our charges are fair and reasonable or specify what lesser sum
would be fair and reasonable. This procedure is free to you.
and is available only if the bill did not relate to work for
court proceedings. i.e. an uncontentious
matter.
You cannot apply for a remuneration certificate
yourself you must ask us to do so within the time limit.
You can only exercise this right if :
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a) You must make your request within one
of the date of our invoice.
b) You pay 50% of the bill within one
month.
c) The bill did not relate to a contentious
matter . For these matters see below.
2. Assessment
This means that the Court will review our bill.
This is a complex procedure and it is important you seek advice
from an independent solicitor before going ahead with this procedure
particularly as you could end up paying our costs of the procedure.
You will be required to pay the court
fees. The costs of the proceedings will be decided by the Court
but you may end up paying your own costs even if you succeed
in reducing the bill.
You can find our more information about
the assessment procedure from the Supreme Court Costs Office
on 020 7947 6000. |
