solicitor fees, ripped off by a solictor

[rashidhussain69]

hi all,

 

i need some help with solicitors fees. i took my civil claim for a used car i purchased to a solicitor as i was not getting anywhere with the car dealer i purchased from.

 

long story short, the solicitor had my file for 3 years, ran the case into the ground, i paid £17k in costs, the solicitor then came off file when i refused to pay any further money. now the solicitors firm want another £8000. in the end the solicitor did absolutely nothing for me, i didn't win the case nor did i lose it. the dealer in the end repaired the car and gave it back to me, for the privilege i paid a solicitor £17k.

 

what i don't understand is, if my case had no prospect of winning why did they pursue it down the fast track route, instead of offering me legal advice, i was always asked, what i want to do, it was extremely reactive in nature. there would have been a better chance to pursue the defendant for costs in relation to make the car road worthy, the repair would have cost between £2000-£3000 maximum and we could have pursued it smalls claims.

 

they are threatening court action if i don't pay and i really need to know what i can do?? i have been bled dry and dont have any more money to pay another solicitor.

 

really hope someone can help me

[citizenB]

Have you had a proper accounting of the work they did (or didnt do) for you ?

 

I agree, this does sound like an awful lof of money - you could have purchased a new car !!

 

Most of the advisors in this section have day jobs so hopefully you will have some visits/replies later on today.

[citizenB]

Hopefully you complained to the solicitors, hopefully you have done that in writing.

 

Then you needs to lodge a complaint with Legal Ombudsman:-

 

http://www.sra.org.uk/consumers/problems/report-solicitor.page

 

From one of the site team

[Ford]

afaik, you can also ask for their costs/fees to be taxed (assessed)?

[steampowered]

See http://www.lawsociety.org.uk/for-the-public/paying-for-legal-services/. You can ask for a court assessment of the bill but there are strict time limits.

 

The first thing is to ask the solicitor for a break down of the bill, and then make a formal complaint if you feel the work was inappropriate. You should also check your original engagement letter.

[Ganymede]

You should ask your solicitor fur a formal bill with a full breakdown before you make any complaint.

 

What I don't understand is why you say it was pursued on the fast track? Where Court proceedings issued?

 

If the repairs were only around £3k it would have been small claims and even if you won in Court you would still have to pay your own legal costs.

[gvickers]

Solicitors in England and Wales are very highly regulated and they are not allowed to overcharge you for their services!

If they have, the solicitor has breached the rules!

Give www.challengemysolicitor.com a look