Advice needed over 'BT' bill

diddzy

Hi,
Wonder if someone can advise me?
I left BT a few months back, but didn't pay the final bill. A few weeks ago I got a letter from a solicitors threatening legal action.
So a few days days ago I phoned BT direct and paid the outstanding amount in full. i then got another letter from the Solicitors, so I phoned them to tell them that I had paid the bill.
They told me they had recieved notification from BT that I'd paid, but was approx £41 short. When I 'paid' the bill I was told that it was fully paid.
So I phoned BT back, they told me that as far as they are concerned the bill is paid, but that I should've contacted the Solicitors NOT BT to pay it, but they took the payment OK!
The extra £41 seems to be a fee charged by the Solicitors.
Am I under any obligation to pay them them money?

Thank you in advance..

LinasPilibaitisisbatman

BT will have added the costs from the solicitor to the bill to be paid which is the £41. Entirely fair to expect you to cover that cost.

diddzy

Thanks for the reply...

When I spoke to BT they say the bill is paid in full...
When I spke to the Solicitors, they say the bill is £41 down to BT NOT them!

Am I legally obliged to pay the solicitor or can it be put down to BT's 'mistake' for letting me pay them and not directing me to the solicitor. If it's only 'fair' that I do, then I wont be losing any sleep over a solicitors being £41 down!

Tozer

LinasPilibaitisisbatman wrote: »

BT will have added the costs from the solicitor to the bill to be paid which is the £41. Entirely fair to expect you to cover that cost.

Rubbish. Proceedings were not issued so the legal costs are not claimable.

Oh and even if proceedings had been issued - assuming the claim is for less than £5k - solicitors would only be able to claim fixed costs on issue.

OP - doesn't matter who you paid providing you paid!