Lawyers fees

Alton Turner Blackwood

Honorary Master
Joined
Apr 30, 2010
Messages
27,483
So check this.

I've hired this lawyer, on the date of my appearance, the case got postponed due to a Covid case (not sure what they meant). We turned around in front of court when we were told this and I came home.

This mofo wants his full fee - which I've paid with a heavy heart - so I'm just curious if this is standard procedure? I mean we didn't even see the inside of a courtroom. I paid him for rendering a service, which he couldn't render through no fault of either of us.
 

Arthur

Honorary Master
Joined
Aug 7, 2003
Messages
26,879
So check this.

I've hired this lawyer, on the date of my appearance, the case got postponed due to a Covid case (not sure what they meant). We turned around in front of court when we were told this and I came home.

This mofo wants his full fee - which I've paid with a heavy heart - so I'm just curious if this is standard procedure? I mean we didn't even see the inside of a courtroom. I paid him for rendering a service, which he couldn't render through no fault of either of us.
Whilst I can sympathise, it's good to realise that he did render the service - he heard your brief, studied your case, used his expertise to prepare a defence, pitched up at court as you briefed him to do. That costs expertise and time, which is all he has to sell. It's not his fault the court changed its schedule.
 

jezzad

Expert Member
Joined
Jan 2, 2013
Messages
1,400
Think about it this way, all the time he/she spent with you he could have spent with someone else earning the same fee.
 

Flash27

Active Member
Joined
Oct 27, 2021
Messages
41
He sent me a message that I should remember that his fee is due to which I replied "I don't understand, the case was never heard". His reply: "But I was there".

I felt defeated and just did the EFT.
I would’ve replied, “you can rock up at a restaurant, but if you don’t eat, you don’t have to pay.”

Did he help you with prep though? Assuming it’s a small case and not your life on the line.
 

dualmeister

Honorary Master
Joined
Oct 15, 2005
Messages
51,374
Did you sign anything?
Surely he must have some sort of document stating that in such a case he will get paid in full.
If not in writing somewhere then he just sounds dodgy.
 

Arthur

Honorary Master
Joined
Aug 7, 2003
Messages
26,879
I would’ve replied, “you can rock up at a restaurant, but if you don’t eat, you don’t have to pay.”

Did he help you with prep though? Assuming it’s a small case and not your life on the line.
So you wouldn't mind if you lawyer rocked up at court without a single moment's preparation ... having spent no time hearing your brief, no time researching the case and planning your defence...?
 

I.am.Sam

Honorary Master
Joined
Jun 14, 2011
Messages
92,118
So you wouldn't mind if you lawyer rocked up at court without a single moment's preparation ... having spent no time hearing your brief, no time researching the case and planning your defence...?

what prep

OP is a drunk and an abuser who neglects his wife and kids

eats schits and pisses in the same spot

2mins of knowing OP and you R1500 richer
 

Arthur

Honorary Master
Joined
Aug 7, 2003
Messages
26,879
Did you sign anything?
Surely he must have some sort of document stating that in such a case he will get paid in full.
If not in writing somewhere then he just sounds dodgy.
Not necessary. At law, only a small number of contracts have to be in writing (such as lease/sale of land, hire-purchase/leases, and so on).
 

Other Pineapple Smurf

Honorary Master
Joined
Jun 21, 2008
Messages
14,593
I learnt from a lawyer friend that nothing is free when it comes to their time.

While at a social visit one Saturday, he answered his phone as another friend phoned for some phone-a-friend advice.

The lawyer friend ended the call with "Can I send the bill to your home address?"

I never ever asked him for legal advice after that and neither did any of the other friends there that day.
 
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