Bit of legal advice needed
Discussion
Without getting into the world of publishing a novel, I've had the misery of what transpires a total dodgy, lying sneaky 
architect to oversee the renovation of my house. I've booted him of the job for failing to organise anything, order any materials for the jobs and fundamentally altering the schedule we thought we'd agreed to.
In hindsight I can kick ourselves but the job was discussed verbally in terms of what was to be done, however the JCT contract regarding the hallway for example merely said 'renovate'
What immediately developed was everything became an extra as the architect suddenly decided plastering, repairing, painting etc was not part of what he'd budgeted for, actually virtually nothing seems to be covered (in reality it's become clear the guy has set out from the start to rip us off)
from our perspective he's failed to do what we agreed to and cannot do the job within the fixed budget agreed, I've paid him a sum of money up front which at this stage he cannot account for its use
His view is he thinks I owe him money (although he cannot provide any evidence in terms of invoices he's received and paid to back this up)
In addition to everything else, I've got on really well with the builders who I've taken on directly (they dislike the architect as much as I do and have subsequently told me some his history over the past ten years (If I'd known half of this I'd never have employed him) One nugget they've enlightened me with is they caught reading my personal mail in my study (documents on my desk included quotes for plumbing, certain document relating to work, letter from Peterborough hospital regarding my wifes treatment for breast cancer)
I know he read the plumbing quote as he called the plumber and started demanding he give him direct discount because it's 'his job' - no idea what else he read but I'd guess that's immaterial?
Basically, what are my rights to sue the stbag from here to kingdom come ?
how illegal is this
architect to oversee the renovation of my house. I've booted him of the job for failing to organise anything, order any materials for the jobs and fundamentally altering the schedule we thought we'd agreed to. In hindsight I can kick ourselves but the job was discussed verbally in terms of what was to be done, however the JCT contract regarding the hallway for example merely said 'renovate'
What immediately developed was everything became an extra as the architect suddenly decided plastering, repairing, painting etc was not part of what he'd budgeted for, actually virtually nothing seems to be covered (in reality it's become clear the guy has set out from the start to rip us off)
from our perspective he's failed to do what we agreed to and cannot do the job within the fixed budget agreed, I've paid him a sum of money up front which at this stage he cannot account for its use
His view is he thinks I owe him money (although he cannot provide any evidence in terms of invoices he's received and paid to back this up)
In addition to everything else, I've got on really well with the builders who I've taken on directly (they dislike the architect as much as I do and have subsequently told me some his history over the past ten years (If I'd known half of this I'd never have employed him) One nugget they've enlightened me with is they caught reading my personal mail in my study (documents on my desk included quotes for plumbing, certain document relating to work, letter from Peterborough hospital regarding my wifes treatment for breast cancer)
I know he read the plumbing quote as he called the plumber and started demanding he give him direct discount because it's 'his job' - no idea what else he read but I'd guess that's immaterial?
Basically, what are my rights to sue the s
tbag from here to kingdom come ?how illegal is this
It wil probably depend on what is is written down, and failing that, independent suitably qualified people who can check the work and say 'In my opinion this is not worth £5K' etc. But hopefully you can sort it out without resorting to law. If he belongs to a professional organisation such as RIBA that would be a good first call - they will have a complaints procedure. www.architecture.com/Explore/Home.aspx
I once had an issue with a marine electrician. He did about half the work and tried to charge me double his quote. When I sent him a polite letter of explanation and half the money he got very arsey, wrote me a pseudo-legal letter, threatened to take things from my boat and quoted T&Cs from the Federation of Marine Wotsits. So I rang the Federation of Marine Wotsits and found out he wasn't a member, and never had been, and better still they were annoyed he'd been using their material, and were wondering whether their solicitor should fire a shot across his bows. He shut up after that
Oh yes, and never pay the ferryman until you get to the other side, expect perhaps a small deposit.
I once had an issue with a marine electrician. He did about half the work and tried to charge me double his quote. When I sent him a polite letter of explanation and half the money he got very arsey, wrote me a pseudo-legal letter, threatened to take things from my boat and quoted T&Cs from the Federation of Marine Wotsits. So I rang the Federation of Marine Wotsits and found out he wasn't a member, and never had been, and better still they were annoyed he'd been using their material, and were wondering whether their solicitor should fire a shot across his bows. He shut up after that
Oh yes, and never pay the ferryman until you get to the other side, expect perhaps a small deposit.
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