Incorrect finance given

naedanger

unholyangel wrote: »

Given the amount of the contract, you'll receive better advice by getting a free half hour consultation with a lawyer specialising in contract law - CA are okay for simple generic advice but often advise completely wrongly on more complex situations.

Presumably a lawyer will only give a free consultation in the hope of getting further business. Given the amount in dispute seems to be around £250 (at most) I would not be confident of getting such a consultation. (Also if there is any misunderstanding with the lawyer over fees that could dwarf any dispute with SCS.)

Personally if I was in the op's position I would wait to see what the CA say, and I would also be a bit wary about trying to get a free consultation with a solicitor.

unholyangel

naedanger wrote: »

Presumably a lawyer will only give a free consultation in the hope of getting further business. Given the amount in dispute seems to be around £250 (at most) I would not be confident of getting such a consultation. (Also if there is any misunderstanding with the lawyer over fees that could dwarf any dispute with SCS.)

Personally if I was in the op's position I would wait to see what the CA say, and I would also be a bit wary about trying to get a free consultation with a solicitor.

Not at all.

Some will even give the free consultation even if it isn't their area of specialty and they know upfront they'll have to recommend another practice entirely.

Why would you ever be wary of trying to get a free consultation with a solicitor rather than CAB? Its like saying nah, I don't want to try and get advice from a doctor who specialises in my condition, I'll just get my medical advice from a midwife.

As I've said, CAB are fine if its a straightforward situation - not so much when there are any complications. Their frontliners usually don't receive any legal training. They generally just follow preset questions to give you the exact same advice (word for word) of whats on their website.

naedanger

unholyangel wrote: »

Not at all.

Some will even give the free consultation even if it isn't their area of specialty and they know upfront they'll have to recommend another practice entirely.

Why do you think most solicitors that offer a free half hour consultation do so?

Why would you ever be wary of trying to get a free consultation with a solicitor rather than CAB?

Because the CAB is not funded by its clients whereas solicitors usually are. The CAB gives all its advice for free whereas solicitors usually give free consultations in order to obtain business. (Occasionally solicitors may do work on a pro bono basis but that is unusual.)

I would be wary I might get an unexpected bill from a solicitor but not from the CAB for the obvious reason that CAB never bill their clients but solicitors do. So a misunderstanding over charges could arise with a solicitor but not with CAB.

Its like saying nah, I don't want to try and get advice from a doctor who specialises in my condition, I'll just get my medical advice from a midwife.

Your analogy would only make sense if CAB and solicitors were both funded in the exact same way. A closer analogy would be to say I am suggesting the op visit their gp rather than try and go for a free consultation with a private consultant.

As I've said, CAB are fine if its a straightforward situation - not so much when there are any complications. Their frontliners usually don't receive any legal training. They generally just follow preset questions to give you the exact same advice (word for word) of whats on their website.

Even if the op does need professional legal advice (which I doubt) getting help from their local advice centre is where I suggest they start. A CAB adviser can help decide whether a solicitor or another legal adviser is actually needed. They may also be able to refer the op for further specialist help.

See the following for more details:
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/law-and-rights/legal-system/taking-legal-action/do-you-need-legal-advice/

wealdroam

I see no problem with contacting a CAB - provided the OP approaches them with this in mind:

Finding a legal adviser

You may want to talk to someone who can give you general advice about your options first. A local advice agency such as a law centre or Citizens Advice Bureau, should also be able to give you details of local legal advisers who are experienced in the appropriate area of law. They may also have details of local legal advisers who offer free initial interviews, sometimes at your bureau, or who offer fixed-fee interviews. This may help you decide whether it's worth taking your case further.

From www.citizensadvice.org.uk/law-and-rights/legal-system/taking-legal-action/using-a-legal-adviser.

unholyangel

naedanger wrote: »

Why do you think most solicitors that offer a free half hour consultation do so?



Because the CAB is not funded by its clients whereas solicitors usually are. The CAB gives all its advice for free whereas solicitors usually give free consultations in order to obtain business. (Occasionally solicitors may do work on a pro bono basis but that is unusual.)

I would be wary I might get an unexpected bill from a solicitor but not from the CAB for the obvious reason that CAB never bill their clients but solicitors do. So a misunderstanding over charges could arise with a solicitor but not with CAB.


Your analogy would only make sense if CAB and solicitors were both funded in the exact same way. A closer analogy would be to say I am suggesting the op visit their gp rather than try and go for a free consultation with a private consultant.

So why do some solicitors work at local CAB branches free? Is that to get business too? Or do you think perhaps not all of them are money grabbing and some like to help people?

You are assuming - as I said, they with often give a free consultation even if they know upfront they can only give general advice and will have to recommend you to someone else.

You can't get an unexpected bill from a solicitor - and I can't believe you're even suggesting that as it implies you know absolutely nothing about contract law. You cannot have a legally binding contract without the necessary elements being present - offer, acceptance, consideration, capability, intent to create legal relations etc.

Funding has got absolutely no relevance. Even if it did, you're assuming the specialist would be available on the NHS...

naedanger

unholyangel wrote: »

So why do some solicitors work at local CAB branches free? Is that to get business too? Or do you think perhaps not all of them are money grabbing and some like to help people?

You are assuming - as I said, they with often give a free consultation even if they know upfront they can only give general advice and will have to recommend you to someone else.

You can't get an unexpected bill from a solicitor - and I can't believe you're even suggesting that as it implies you know absolutely nothing about contract law. You cannot have a legally binding contract without the necessary elements being present - offer, acceptance, consideration, capability, intent to create legal relations etc.

Funding has got absolutely no relevance. Even if it did, you're assuming the specialist would be available on the NHS...

It is clear we are not going to agree.

Hermione_Granger

naedanger wrote: »

It is clear we are not going to agree.

Considering what you have stated is totally incorrect, I doubt if anyone would agree with you.