Is there a Law about when you pay Solicitor's ??

smithy


Joined: 17/07/2008
Posts: 5301

Message Posted:
16/07/2010 11:41

Has anyone who is going through with buying a property, held back half of the Solicitors Fees

My Son was advised to only pay them half until their work is complete, will they accept this or not

If anyone has could you please let me know, I know when I first bought I had to pay the £1,000 up front then I had to keep chasing them to do this and that.

Many thanks

Sheila (smithy)

nurseawful



Joined: 06/02/2009
Posts: 5934

Message Posted:
16/07/2010 11:44

We had to pay the thousand up front as well Sheila what for I do not know!



Chris

p.s. Hope all well with you and you are enjoying life away from TRNC.

smithy


Joined: 17/07/2008
Posts: 5301

Message Posted:
16/07/2010 11:52

Hello Chris

Life is good, just thought I would post this question for my Son, but probably a waste of time with Solicitors

Take care

Sheila

billyboy1


Joined: 01/06/2009
Posts: 590

Message Posted:
16/07/2010 11:54

I paid my solicitor at the end of the job



i did pay out for stamps, taxes etc that needed to be paid during the process, but he got all his money when the job was done

dusty48


Joined: 14/08/2008
Posts: 258

Message Posted:
16/07/2010 12:51

shop round for a solicitor , quote and terms.

smithy


Joined: 17/07/2008
Posts: 5301

Message Posted:
16/07/2010 13:03

Thanks for all the info, good idea Billy

cyprusishome


Joined: 31/03/2007
Posts: 2381

Message Posted:
16/07/2010 13:10

Five + years ago we were told to pay in full as this is the norm.



With all the information available now, the answer is do not go with a solicitor that asks for all up front. Talk terms with them and if they still demand, easy, they loose the business.

scruff


Joined: 15/07/2008
Posts: 1070

Message Posted:
16/07/2010 13:44

Back in late 2001, we only paid 50% of the total £800 fee. The balance was only paid when the PTP was granted. This was only 6 mths later back then.

Hector


Joined: 26/08/2008
Posts: 2352

Message Posted:
16/07/2010 13:47

Another view, ask the question, do you actually need to use an advocate in the first place? Remember there are no solicitors in the TRNC and the 'advocates' don't owe you any duty of care so when they let you down 'it's your fault'.

wynyardman



Joined: 15/12/2007
Posts: 4580

Message Posted:
16/07/2010 22:35

I would vote for a performance related upon completion.



wyn

keithcaley



Joined: 13/06/2008
Posts: 2521

Message Posted:
16/07/2010 22:48

Hector,

I was told that 'Locals' NEVER use an advocate for property purchase - they might use a 'Noter' (more correctly - 'Certifying Officer') to verify documents, but of course they know the Law, and are a lot more 'Savvy' than us lot...

Bradus


Joined: 25/02/2007
Posts: 2641

Message Posted:
16/07/2010 23:57

HBPG recommendations: do not pay until the service has been delivered.

deputydawg


Joined: 30/03/2010
Posts: 1727

Message Posted:
17/07/2010 00:11

With hindsight I would not pay one lira to any advocate until invoiced at a fair commerial rate for work which I knew for certainty was completed satisfactorily. There are no solicitors accountancy rules here which are complied with and no distinction between office and client accounts. I suffered monies held escrow being used to pay taxes for which the builder was responsible in spite of written and oral instructions from me that this was not to occur. Further, debits were made at extortionate rates in favour of the advocate for work which I could conclusively show was never undertaken. For example I gained PTP myself and deliberately did not advise the advocate who continued to charge for alleged visits to a registry to check for an issue which was already made months earlier. I reiterate that I would not again let an advocate have "monies up front" in any circumstances particularly as the one I instructed is reputed to be one of the big players in legal circles.