Dispute with Solicitors Fee charged for Barrister

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At the eleventh hour, literally whilst travelling to Court for a hearing, I received a message to say that my solicitor cannot attend and that a barrister would represent me instead.

The total time in Court with the waiting around was two hours. Had my solicitor attended, he would have spent the two hours in Court, one hour travel in total, and say an hour to write up notes equating to four hours. The barrister charged at a day rate which is more expensive than had the solicitor attended. The solicitor has charged me the full fee for the barrister, which I feel is unreasonable for me to be expected through no fault of my own to take the additional cost of the barrister against what the solicitor would have cost, had he attended.

I have paid the bill to keep the case moving, but do I have grounds to claim the additional cost of the barrister back.

[echat11]

If you have a dispute regarding their fees, the firm of solicitors will have a complaints procedure, lodge a complaint with them (it is unfair as you should know the barrister's fees before the barrister's attendance at court). If your still unhappy, get a final response, then lodge a complaint with the legal ombudsman service.

https://www.sra.org.uk/solicitors/re...nsparency-q-a/

https://www.legalombudsman.org.uk/

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If you have a dispute regarding their fees, the firm of solicitors will have a complaints procedure, lodge a complaint with them (it is unfair as you should know the barrister's fees before the barrister's attendance at court). If your still unhappy, get a final response, then lodge a complaint with the legal ombudsman service.

https://www.sra.org.uk/solicitors/re...nsparency-q-a/

https://www.legalombudsman.org.uk/

Thank you for the reply, appreciated.

I have lodged a complaint, but they have said as the complaint is more than one month since the date of the invoice I am outside the time allowed to raise a dispute with the invoice.

The Legal Ombudsman Service it is then. Hopefully, they will be a little more understanding.

[echat11]

Thank you for the reply, appreciated.

I have lodged a complaint, but they have said as the complaint is more than one month since the date of the invoice I am outside the time allowed to raise a dispute with the invoice.

The Legal Ombudsman Service it is then. Hopefully, they will be a little more understanding.

From experience they are 'relatively' good. Let us know how you get on.

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I will do, thanks