Why is the invoice''s different?

My partner has received 2 invoices from his solicitor. One for child contact matters the other for Ancillary Relief.

The child contact matters is just a summary description, however the Ancillary Relief includes telephone and attendance logs etc.

I asked if we could receive the telephone and attendance log for the child contact matters and was told that there would be a charge of £150 - £200 for this.

I asked if we had been charged this for the ancillary relief and was told that we had not, that the logs were produced for taxation matters and this will be added to the taxed bill?

Can someone please advise why the invoices have been treated differently?

Also is it standard practice to provide this level of information for taxation matter prior to any issue being lodges with the Taxing Office?

Thanks

You are entitled to a breakdown of the work that has been carried out and you should not be charged for this. Ask the question "you have prepared the summary based on some records that are readily available to you - please let me have a copy of these records to check your calculations - I do not expect to be charged in the same way that Sainsburys does not charge me for the receipt that they give to me when I get my shopping".

I would imagine that you have two difference invoices and more than one person worked on your file and those people have different record-keeping procedures. My rule of thumb is that where no fixed fee is agreed, no details means that the figure is, at best, a guess.

Charles