Can a solicitor firm send invoices long after end of work?
Discussion
I would like to know what the law says in the following scenario 'a solicitor firm is engaged to do some work and they completed it but not to satisfaction and the client raises a complaint and then they come up with a letter refuting the complaint and also say we have not invoiced you for some work done in May and send a bill for it,but the point there is that when they completed the whole work in July they never mentioned about any unpaid bills'
Do you think they have a leg to stand on?
Do you think they have a leg to stand on?
I don't believe there's any law about how soon after the completion of work anyone has to present an invoice.
You can challenge the size of the invoice/quality of work etc etc etc but be aware there are some solicitors who will invoice you for any time taken on the work including defending your complaint against the costs/quality of work.
WHat did you letter of engagement (or something like that) say the work would involve/cost and how did what they have delivered compare with that?
You can challenge the size of the invoice/quality of work etc etc etc but be aware there are some solicitors who will invoice you for any time taken on the work including defending your complaint against the costs/quality of work.
WHat did you letter of engagement (or something like that) say the work would involve/cost and how did what they have delivered compare with that?
carboy2017 said:
I would like to know what the law says in the following scenario 'a solicitor firm is engaged to do some work and they completed it but not to satisfaction and the client raises a complaint and then they come up with a letter refuting the complaint and also say we have not invoiced you for some work done in May and send a bill for it,but the point there is that when they completed the whole work in July they never mentioned about any unpaid bills'
Do you think they have a leg to stand on?
They have to send you an invoice within a reasonable time of completing the work. Of course the word `reasonable' is the most lucrative word in the legal vocabulary, but generally it would probably mean within a year or so. Do you think they have a leg to stand on?
However, if the July invoice covered the same work as the work in May that they're now trying to bill you for I would strongly resist payment. If they weren't expecting to do any more work for you the July invoice should have included all work that they'd done.
It does sound like a revenge bill, so I would add receipt of the extra invoice to your complaint. You should also mention the magic words `Legal Ombudsman' - saying that unless your complaint is satisfactorily resolved you intend to refer the matter to the LeO often has a miraculous effect on a firm's willingness to reach a solution.
Solicitors bills in my experience are usually itemised.
If not given they are usually billing by the hour you can ask for a time sheet.
By comparing the various bills this should start to give an idea of if legitimate or not.
Given it is time based billing from a time sheet system unless a completely different job it should be pretty tricky to miss billing the time.
You have a right to have the bill “costed” which in essence looks at the reasonableness of the fee ( not the outcome )
I have queried bills before and did at the time seek clarification if I would be changed for dealing with billing I’ll queries. I was told no. I don’t know if this is law society practice or simply convention.
If not given they are usually billing by the hour you can ask for a time sheet.
By comparing the various bills this should start to give an idea of if legitimate or not.
Given it is time based billing from a time sheet system unless a completely different job it should be pretty tricky to miss billing the time.
You have a right to have the bill “costed” which in essence looks at the reasonableness of the fee ( not the outcome )
I have queried bills before and did at the time seek clarification if I would be changed for dealing with billing I’ll queries. I was told no. I don’t know if this is law society practice or simply convention.
I went to a local solicitor for soe consumer advice in Feb 17 and got a very useful written advice a month later. Saw the solicitor in a pub mid last year (May 18) and we had a friendly chat and he mentioned his bill would be sent to me soon, Still waiting, but to be honest, not with bated breath
Amateurish said:
Did you get a bill for the work done in July?
Yes and paid in July itself,but I was not happy with their services and complained to them and then I got this bill just last week saying that they can forego the bill I will sign a form saying I'm satisfied with their services 
carboy2017 said:
Yes and paid in July itself,but I was not happy with their services and complained to them and then I got this bill just last week saying that they can forego the bill I will sign a form saying I'm satisfied with their services
At the very least that is sharp practice. I would go to the LeO personally. Don't hold your breath though, they are very slow. Gassing Station | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff