My client asked for my bill to be assessed. What do I do?
A client is unhappy with my bill. We exhausted the internal complaints procedure and I provided the Legal Ombudsman's contact details. My client now asks for my bill to be assessed. What do I do?
You should advise your client to make their own application.
Although you may issue an application to have your own costs assessed, it is inadvisable unless there are very unusual circumstances.
Unless the client attends the assessment hearing, or the costs judge certifies that there are special circumstances, the court will not make an order for the costs of the assessment proceedings (sections 70(9)(a) and (b) Solicitors Act 1974 as amended).
The order made at the hearing will not include an order for payment of the assessed costs by the client, so if the client does not pay the bill after the assessment, you will have to commence separate proceedings for payment.
Disclaimer
While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information in this article, it does not constitute legal advice and cannot be relied upon as such. The Law Society does not accept any responsibility for liabilities arising as a result of reliance upon the information given.
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