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URGENT - Solicitors fees
__cupcake
Posts: 1 Newbie
Hi,
I am seeking some indepedent advice. After recently purchasing my first home, I was contacted by my solicitor today, who informed me that he had made a miscalculation on his fees and that I owe an extra £300.
I received my solicitors bill well in advance of completion, and was told that I had to pay it prior to completion (this bill also included a stamp duty fee). I have since added up the seperate elements of the bill, and realised that the solicitor is correct (the amounts added together are £300 more than is stated on the 'final payment' line at the end of the bill).
Now, the solicitor is claiming that the £300 I need to pay is for the stamp duty (i.e. trying to say that I have only paid £1200 of this).
Where do I stand on this legally? The house has completed and the mortgage monies have been released. As far as I was concerned, I was done as far as solicitors go. Any advice gratefully appreciated!
I am seeking some indepedent advice. After recently purchasing my first home, I was contacted by my solicitor today, who informed me that he had made a miscalculation on his fees and that I owe an extra £300.
I received my solicitors bill well in advance of completion, and was told that I had to pay it prior to completion (this bill also included a stamp duty fee). I have since added up the seperate elements of the bill, and realised that the solicitor is correct (the amounts added together are £300 more than is stated on the 'final payment' line at the end of the bill).
Now, the solicitor is claiming that the £300 I need to pay is for the stamp duty (i.e. trying to say that I have only paid £1200 of this).
Where do I stand on this legally? The house has completed and the mortgage monies have been released. As far as I was concerned, I was done as far as solicitors go. Any advice gratefully appreciated!
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Comments
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Sure it is simple? You appointed the Solicitor, they carried out the work they there deserve there full payment.
Pay the £300Turning our clutter to top up our house deposit: £3000/£303.05 we're on our way!0 -
Legally ... you have to pay it. He made a mistake, he's spotted it - you agree there's a mistake .... and now you pay.
Of course, you might need to ask for a bit of time for that.... but you will have to pay.0 -
So he made a arithmetic error? He (or his PA/admin clerk) is only human.
Since from your post it appears you agree you owe the money, what are you waiting for?
Put a cheque in the post.0 -
Pay the man, he has worked for the money you owe him. How would you feel if an error had been made the other way round and he in fact owed you £300. Would you be happy for him to keep it and not send a cheque on to you by way of refund? I don't think you would some how.The bigger the bargain, the better I feel.
I should mention that there's only one of me, don't confuse me with others of the same name.0 -
If he had made an 'error' in that the quote/invoice was wrong, I'd say that's his loss.
However, from your description it seems that the only error is that the grand total of the invoice is somehow wrong. I.e. a somewhat obvious clerical error that is straightforward to spot even by you looking at the invoice.
So I think you don't have a leg to stand on and should pay.
I note that he's a bit tricky claiming that the owed money is for the stamp duty, as that makes you liable no matter what... People should stand by their mistakes, but that's another problem
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