CHARGES AND EXPENSES
In charging for the various services that we render, we adhere to the guiding scales set out in the Advocates Remuneration (Amendment) Order of 1997 and the equivalent scale for conveyancing and commercial matters.
In calculating the costs of a given task, we are normally and primarily guided by the time spent, but in addition to the time spent, we may take into account in calculating our charges a number of other factors which include the complexity of the issues, the speed at which action must be taken, the expertise or specialist knowledge which the case requires and, if appropriate, the amount or value of any money or property involved.
We will add VAT to our charges at the rate that applies when the work is done.
There may be certain other expenses (sometimes referred to as disbursements) which we incur, such as court fees, traveling expenses, charges made for photocopying, and courier fees which are borne by the client. VAT is payable on certain expenses.
Generally, it is extremely difficult to estimate the total costs or the number of hours that will need to be expended to bring a case to a conclusion. However, if we have not already done so we do, at the client’s request, discuss the likely range of our overall charges and expenses, or do our best to estimate the likely cost of the steps that need to be taken to bring the matter to the next stage. Any such estimate is not fixed or binding, and other factors may mean that the estimate will be varied from time to time. We update the estimate at a client’s request and do inform the client if it appears that any estimate may be exceeded. Our invoices also keep the client fully informed of the level of charges being incurred.
If a transaction or other matter does not proceed to completion our fees (together with disbursements and VAT) are still payable. Any special fee agreed for a matter does not cover additional work not identified when the arrangement was agreed.
Legal charges (Contentious business only)
The client is liable in any event for our charges and expenses (“costs”) in full, whether the client wins or looses the case. The rationale is as elaborated below
If the client should win:
(a) The client’s opponent may not be ordered to pay costs
(b) Even if ordered to pay costs, the opponent may not be ordered to pay the full amount of the client’s costs. There can be a substantial shortfall between the costs the client recovers and the costs for which he/she is liable to us.
(c) The opponent may be incapable of paying such costs as are ordered.
(d) If the client should win and is awarded costs, his/her liability to us is for the full amount of our charges and expenses, not just the difference between our bills and the amount which his opponent is ordered to pay.
Unless otherwise agreed, we will use any money received from a client’s opponent to reduce the client’s liability to us.
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