Solicitor taking the p*ss

jw2082

I'm not sure that this is the correct place to post this so please feel free to move if incorrect.

We really need to know where to go with this problem.

My partner has been seeking an order of sale notice to release her from a property that her ex is holding her hostage over.

The case has been going on for nearly 3 years and until a couple of weeks ago it was funded by legal aid. Due to her earnings going over the legal aids threshold of disposable income (by about £50 a month) the funding was stopped 2 weeks before the case was due to be heard in the local court.
This timing couldn't have been worse. The solicitor verbally stated some costs over the phone and sent out an estimate. It was also suggested that a barrister should be present at the hearing. She reluctantly agreed to pay the barrister fee as the court environment can be quite intimidating. (£540)
The last phone conversation with her was that a further estimate would be provided after the hearing obviously dependant on outcome.
That hearing was yesterday and an agreement for an order was reached. We then today received a letter in the post from the solicitor dated last Friday with an invoice over £200 more than previously quoted. (For the work leading upto the court hearing).
We emailed her this morning asking her to not do any more work until further notice as we were going to take further advice. The reply came almost instantly saying she had done further work on it this morning !
We are a little lost as to what to do as the bill is nearing £1500 and we don't really know what for or how we can pay it. How can she justify charging for work at this rate when she has not been instructed to undertake it ?

whitewing

Would there be equity on the house that the cost can be paid from?

bris

Solicitors are around 200-300 per hour, it doesn't take long to amass a huge bill.

jw2082

Unfortunately the sale of the house would be looking likely to break even

whitewing

Did the solicitor send you a terms of business when you started dealing with them? What do they say?

jw2082

The terms were sent after the funding finished. There wasn't time to read them or really understand what it would equate to in financial terms

gik

bris wrote: »

Solicitors are around 200-300 per hour, it doesn't take long to amass a huge bill.

Barristers are even more expensive. It cost a mate 5k+ for one to avoid a driving ban for speeding.

cookie365

£1500 sounds pretty cheap for a contested court hearing needing representation by counsel.

arcon5

whitewing wrote: »

Would there be equity on the house that the cost can be paid from?

Surely step one would be to establish what the bill is for and how it was calculated.

Hintza

jw2082 wrote: »

The terms were sent after the funding finished. There wasn't time to read them or really understand what it would equate to in financial terms

There is your problem right there. You were given the information but didn't read it.