Solicitors over-charging

Can I do anything about my bill now - it''s around 12 months since I was billed? Really could do with some of that money back.

toystory

The legal ombudsman will only handle complaints made to them within 6 months of receiving a final answer to your complaint to the solicitors AND within 6 years of the problem. From the sounds of it you won''t be in that first category and so won''t be able to go to the ombudsman.

Without that threat there really isn''t much incentive for the solicitors to negotiate or deal with your complaint in any way other than outright rejection.

Legal Ombudsman Complaint Form

EDITED to correct the time frame for complaints as it has been recently revised by the Legal Ombudsman

Hi - can solicitors charge for extra time at the first appts for pre file review?
The solicitor I wanted to see was on holiday so I saw the junior which I was told was £100 for the hour - I
Paid this and he told me I would need to meet with the main solicitor but wouldn''t be c
charged twice - I thought he meant not for going over the same I info again.
Follow this they sent my husband a letters and dealt with his reply, there was a could of short
calls and emails.
It got left decided to try again, this hasn''t worked out so I went back to the solicitor got
Another hour appt to go over the same info just with a few changes over the last few months.
I have now been billed 1200! This only includes two hours
with the solicitor in total - the rest is pre file review, the two letters and calls!! The solicitor is
about 300 inc vat so I''ve been charged 600 in admin?!!
When I went back got my appt I was going trough the info again, it didn''t even seem like
They had done 30 mins of pre file review!!
Is this normal? Can I complain that I was never made aware that I would be charged
for this?

Hi lolamola,

When you initially instructed the solicitor, did you sign an acceptance of service and receive a contract stating the firms charges, who would be responsible for the work, estimate of costs up to and including each hearing and break down for letters/email/telephone charges.

If you did, you signed and returned it, then you will not have grounds for complaint. If none of the above happened you can speak to the partner who deals with complaints.

Best wishes,

NWTT.

Hi thanks for your reply.
When I first went last year they did send a contract out but I never signed and sent it
back as I decided to try again with my husband so no there''s been no signed contract
I don''t think it had anything in there about adding 30 mins pre file review on to each appt
though.
At this point I paid the initial £100, I was never billed further which I thought was
because the junior said I needed to go through it
With the main solicitor but wouldn''t be charged twice.
This recent bill I''ve just got I queried that with them and they said they meant I wouldn''t be m
charges twice with both solicitors being there.
I was expecting to be charges for the new appt of course but not all this extra it''s frightening
How hey can send inflated bills without warning (

You need to speak to them again.

Many reputable firms will send out bills on a monthly basis and a spread sheet detailing all costs to date.

I am surprised they did not check their records to ensure you had returned the signed acceptance of service, it might be worth checking the legal 500 to see if they are listed. Its a good indication of the level of service you can expect.

www.legal500.com/c/london/private-client/family

You can enter the area in the country/county you live.

Best wishes,

NWTT.

Thanks again!
It''s a national firm very reputable - I''m not sure whether its allowed to make companies
on here so I won''t just incase.
Do you think there''s a chance I can argue it without there being a signed contract?
Hope so! I don''t mind moving forward as long as I''m aware of these kind of costs that will be added on.
Thanks a lot for your help and the link.