Trends in Residential Conveyancing
Inadequate initial costs advice
A significant number of complaints we receive involve instances where the firm fails to provide any costs information at the outset.
In one instance, the first reference the solicitor made to costs was recorded in a telephone attendance note two months after the client instructed the solicitor. This note contained an estimate of £350-£400 costs as a minimum plus VAT and disbursements. The solicitor then asked the client to pay monies on account.
The information was not given in a particularly clear way and did not indicate the likely overall costs of the matter. The final bill was higher than the oral estimate given.
We identified that the solicitor did not provide proper costs information and made a finding of inadequate professional service. This was on the basis that the information contained in the attendance note was the only clear information provided to the client.
We reduced the firm's costs back to the amount of the original estimate.
Solicitors should ensure that all information given orally should be confirmed in writing as soon as possible.
