Morally/legally: should I pay this lawyer?

terryw

In the UK it is usual (perhaps even compulsory) for lawyers to send a "client care" letter upon taking up instructions. This should include a mention of costs. Here is a link to the Law Society about this.
http://www.lawsociety.org.uk/documents/downloads/yourclientsyourbusiness.pdf

Is it not possible that the Brazil Law Society insist upon something like this as well? It certainly is a bit naughty. unethical and even underhand to send such a large bill without any forewarning of likely costs.

On a purely practical level, how on earth is the lawyer in Brazil going to enforce payment against you in the UK?

undaunted

Morally I think you should pay her - as I suspect it's a communication problem rather than deliberately attempting to fleece you.

Legally I would think there may be grounds for argument &, as the above poster suggests, little chance of her pursuing you "half way across the world" for 720 euros.

Could you not offer to pay her in installments, thus everyone would be as happy as they can be under the cisrcumstances?

Equaliser123

insurgente wrote: »

Not sure about 'worth'. I'm not a lawyer but I'm sure they're expensive (even in Brazil...stupid exchange rate). From my amateur's viewpoint, the document itself is very small and pretty much a template (i need to fill in the details myself)
...

Length of document doesn't mean a thing.

What is the document and what is it for?

CapJ

Actually on reflection I'm not sure it is likely to be a breakdown in communication. Undertaking work of that value without checking first....

I think you should invest half an hour into googling, and if necessary emailing, local Brazilian lawyers to see how much they would charge for the equivalent. If it's more well perhaps you have a moral obligation. If it is a lot less then tell her to take a hike.

Equaliser123

CapJ wrote: »

Actually on reflection I'm not sure it is likely to be a breakdown in communication. Undertaking work of that value without checking first....

I think you should invest half an hour into googling, and if necessary emailing, local Brazilian lawyers to see how much they would charge for the equivalent. If it's more well perhaps you have a moral obligation. If it is a lot less then tell her to take a hike.

You can't really "google" specific legal transactions.

terryw

CapJ wrote: »

Actually on reflection I'm not sure it is likely to be a breakdown in communication. Undertaking work of that value without checking first....

I think you should invest half an hour into googling, and if necessary emailing, local Brazilian lawyers to see how much they would charge for the equivalent. If it's more well perhaps you have a moral obligation. If it is a lot less then tell her to take a hike.

A crackin' good idea Cap. OP please take notice of this advice.

I wish that I had thought of it!

CapJ

Equaliser123 wrote: »

You can't really "google" specific legal transactions.

Do you know what google is? Not being funny but what you just said is completely wrong. You can google anything. However, it's a shame I can't post links because I just did google some specific legal transactions:
house price purchase legal cost
form a company legal cost
Prepare a guarantee document legal cost

Go on - try it!

But perhaps the OP's specific legal transaction doesn't turn up in google. That's why I suggested emailing some local lawyers.

dacouch

Be careful if you google "Brazilian" though

terryw

dacouch wrote: »

Be careful if you google "Brazilian" though

Nice one mate. Reminds me of the time that I set up the internet for my old uncle (now sadly deceased) and introduced him to google. He was a church organist and the first word he tried was "organ".

I leave the rest to your imagination!

Apologies for going off-topic.

Equaliser123

CapJ wrote: »

Do you know what google is? Not being funny but what you just said is completely wrong. You can google anything. However, it's a shame I can't post links because I just did google some specific legal transactions:
house price purchase legal cost
form a company legal cost
Prepare a guarantee document legal cost

Go on - try it!

But perhaps the OP's specific legal transaction doesn't turn up in google. That's why I suggested emailing some local lawyers.

Errr, yes I do know what google is. But I also know the variables that can apply for legal work - I've been doing it for many, many years. Have you?

If you look, I've been asking - several times now - what the document was. There may be a fixed cost or it may be a something that has been, for example, notarised or appostiled which can be massively expensive.