Solicitors fees what to expect?

HI,

I was involved in a motor accident in july08 and had to employ a solicitor in October due to other side denying liability and all sorts of other shennanigans. They eventually admitted liability and so in december my application went through to injuries board for assesment....my question is how much "ball park" will i be charged for legal fees??

thanks,
Briars

I suspect it depends on how much work the solicitor has done.
What have they quoted you?

Nicola

They haven't quoted me anything as of yet.Work carried out would consist of correspondence between parties and the injuries board application.

Now that the claim is nearing an end im just worried that the fees will be astronomical. Can they calculate their fees as a percentage of the award?

Did they agree that with you in advance? If so, yes. If not, it may be an hourly rate, or a pre-agreed rate. (which you do not appear to have)

I think you need to contact them, and see what they actually say (and get it in writing, with a breakdown, including VAT).It will be dfficult for anyone to judge what is reasonable without the particulars and what was agreed.ie, you need to phone them and see what they say, then get it in writing.

If ithe amount seems unreasonable, you might post back here for further advise?

Nicola

Many thanks Nicola for your response,will post back here with update.

Briars

briars said:

They haven't quoted me anything as of yet.Work carried out would consist of correspondence between parties and the injuries board application.

Click to expand...

By law the Solicitor should have provided you these charges already.

"When a Solicitor is instructed, or as soon as is practicable after that, the law requires the Solicitor to provide a client with details in writing of:

the Solicitor's actual charges, or , where this is not possible or practicable,

an estimate of the solicitor's charges, or, where this is not possible or practicable,

the basis on which the solicitor's charges are to be made."


The above piece is a document from the Law Society of Ireland


Did you receive a Section 68 Letter??

briars said:

Now that the claim is nearing an end im just worried that the fees will be astronomical. Can they calculate their fees as a percentage of the award?

Click to expand...

"In contentious business, a Solicitor may not calculate fees or other charges as a percentage of any award or settlement"

"In contentious business, a Solicitor may not calculate fees or other charges as a percentage of any award or settlement"[/quote]


Hi, I did recieve a letter early on which said that the level of charges would depend on

1. Urgency of the matter
2. Complexity
3. Number and importance of documents prepared or examined
4. labour,skill and specialised knowledge involved
5. THE AMOUNT OR VALUE OF ANY TRANSACTION INVOLVED.

Does No.five basically mean they are going to charge a big fat % of award????

Heres a novel concept. Ask them how much.

And I assume you read this post before posting again?

"In contentious business, a Solicitor may not calculate fees or other charges as a percentage of any award or settlement"

mf