Solicitors - Providing Breakdown of fees/charges?

[Azer]

I'm not sure if I am posting this in the right place, MOD's please move if necessary.

 

I had recently employed a solicitor to sort out some matters on my behalf. The matter has now been sorted and I am awaiting a final invoice. I requested that the solicitor also provide a breakdown of fees/charges for this matter, to which he replied: "please note that we do not provide a breakdown unless a client raises concerns about our fees". Is this normal practice? Seems a bit odd, especially considering that one would not be able to raise concerns without seeing the breakdown.

 

Is my solicitor trying to take me for a ride?

[srfrench]

You have a right to request a breakdown with your Solicitors.

 

You also have a right not to pay it until one is provided.

 

As an anology, you wouldn't expect to shop in ASDA's without a breakdown of what you've bought in the form of an itemised receipt, would you?

 

My Solicitor provides one without even being asked because it's a reputable one, one that believes that by treating their clients with respect and honesty ensures repeat busines at best or good referals at worst!

 

Demand a breakdown, nicely of course. If they don't, stress that you won't be paying for their services. Legally they will be at fault and on a sticky wicket if they demand payment without even so much as a grouped itemised invoice and by that I mean, rather than listing every phone call made, they'll stste 10 x Phonecalls at XXp a minute x XX mins.

 

Good luck and stand up to your rights.

[Azer]

Thanks Srfrench! Only problem is that I have money on account with them, so in essence they have already charged me, but I will persist and get a breakdown.