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Original poster

£300 for one solicitor's letter - is this the norm?

15 replies

EggheadHilary · 06/12/2007 16:25

We have a dispute with a neighbour and we have previously been dealing with a solicitor who sadly died. The dispute he was dealing with was sorted and the neighbours had to conceed that we were right.

We now need one more letter to finish the case ie push the neighbours along into rectifying the problem, (sorry this is all vague but have to be careful of RL people recognising this) but the new solicitor from a different firm is asking for £300 for one letter. Can this be right?????

It seems very high to me. Any solicitors out there? We just need the neighbours to know that we are serious about the matter (yes the neighbours are hard headed)

OP posts:
TartanKnickers · 06/12/2007 16:29

Could be right I'm afraid. The solicitor I've just used charged £150 per hour (or an part of 1 hour), so if it takes 1 hour 2 minutes to write the letter, it would be £300.

TartanKnickers · 06/12/2007 16:30

any part

Freckle · 06/12/2007 16:44

I suspect that the £300 quoted is not just for sending the letter. The solicitor will have to read the file so that s/he knows what they are talking about and may also have to deal with any response, quite apart from dictating and checking the letter.

It is rare for a solicitor to charge for time they have not spent, e.g. they would not charge £300 per hour or any part thereof.

MrsPuddleduck · 06/12/2007 16:46

What a load of rubbish - go to another solicitor - if it is only one letter you need then it should not be £300.00.

In fact, go to a free advice surgery and explain the problem to the solicitor (they cannot charge you for this if they run such a scheme) and then ask how much they would charge to write the required letter. If it is reasonable get them to do it - if not don't.

needahand · 06/12/2007 16:50

Could be depending the seniority and where you are based. If its is a partner in a London city firm, it could cost you £500 per hour. It really depends how long the letter is.

Eg: long letter two pages middle rank assistant (£225 to £250 and hour), could easily come to £300.

As for a breakdown of cost.

Ps they cannot charge you for admin time such as opening your file, biling etc

Original poster
EggheadHilary · 06/12/2007 17:24

Gosh think I will have to do some over-time!!! I've already done some to pay for a fab Christmas. It's a good job I like my job

We are in Huddersfield, and the guy is meant to be an expert in his field. Plus we did try 2 other solicitors but they wouldn't touch it as it was a resolved dispute.

OP posts:
meep · 06/12/2007 17:31

A £300 fee can be very quickly reached especially if taking over a case from somone else. Some solicitors also have a minimum fee for any case they take on but that should be made clear at the outset - shop around - if an uncomplicated matter you might find someone cheaper - but always remember that what they say it could cost is only an estimate unless you agree a fixed fee. If they charge on a time basis - you could agree that if the fee gets to say £150 they have to let you know before going over that amount - then if they do you have a good argument for non-payment - but always make sure you get this sort of agreement in writing.

weefrankiemac · 24/11/2018 07:33

I spent an hour yesterday talking to a solicitor about a problem I have encountered as a guarantor, to be told that He could not help me and he then charged me £250. A bit steep I think.

19lottie82 · 24/11/2018 16:11

The solicitor I've just used charged £150 per hour (or an part of 1 hour), so if it takes 1 hour 2 minutes to write the letter, it
would be £300.

Bloody hell. Fuck that.

My solicitor charges in 10 minute increments.

EdithDickie · 24/11/2018 20:38

I'm a lawyer and charge in 6 minute units, ie 10 per hour.

It's never "just writing a letter though". It's also discussion to ascertain the problem and what your instructions are as well as actually prepping the letter.

GrabEmByThePatriarchy · 27/11/2018 13:33

If this figure includes taking your initial instructions and reading the paperwork well enough to know what's going on, yes that's potentially pretty reasonable. The problem is that to you it's one letter, because the case is primarily resolved. To the new solicitor it isn't, because they will have to do the work to get them to the stage where it's just one letter. Unfortunate that the other one passed away.

Foxy15 · 08/02/2019 19:27

What do you expect from a 'closed shop' of self serving money grabbing individuals. Ever seena poor solicitor? Just look at the houses they live in and the cars they drive. They also send their kids to the expensive private schools they went to. Wouldn't trust one as far as I could throw one!!

Janethevirgo · 08/02/2019 20:33

The original thread was 12 years ago !!!

Kazzyhoward · 09/02/2019 11:20

What do you expect from a 'closed shop' of self serving money grabbing individuals. Ever seena poor solicitor? Just look at the houses they live in and the cars they drive. They also send their kids to the expensive private schools they went to. Wouldn't trust one as far as I could throw one!!

You could say exactly the same of doctors/GPs!!!!!

Foxy15 · 09/02/2019 19:42

And Architects and Estate Agents as well as Refuse Collectors and Uncle Tom Cobley and All!!

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