Problem client

[Gazza77]

Originally Posted by -Ralph-

To be fair this is the companies fault for making the mistake in the first place.

True, down to the department not notifying payroll of their departure. Still not a reasonable repayment plan imo when you perfectly well you have been overpaid. Would you not notice an extra £2k a month for 6 months in your account? Or feel guilty about fleecing the taxpayer, when it is public money? (I work in the public sector).

Originally Posted by Gazza77

Or feel guilty about fleecing the taxpayer, when it is public money? (I work in the public sector).

Nope.


I'd sit on it as long as possible, earn the interest off it while paying back as little as possible

Sorry, but I pay my taxes and every little back really helps

Ed,I am surprised that you don't operate the "Up-front" practice for members of the public. In all my dealings with solicitors appointed by me after the initial interview to outline my needs they have asked for a fee before proceeding and when and if this becomes more than their initial estimate I have had to pay the additional costs
Example
Court defense for speeding
Initial interview free
Instruction to proceed with defense-£500-upfront
Further defense costs,including Barristers fee-£1000-upfront
Final cost including all their expenses for two court appearances-£380

I will add that on completion of the case I explained to them that I thought a couple of the listed items were excessive as I had provided photographs and litigation for the defense and I was given a
£200 refund. I don't know if that is normal practice or not.

[Biker Biggles]

Sorry to hear this ED.
Seems to me that non payment is quite common,and it should be normal and acceptable for service providers to require payment,at least in part,up front.
Or in this case,it should be acceptable for you to deduct payment from the clients payout.Perhaps the rules need to be changed?

I'm too trusting... this client seemed very plausible. I don't like asking clients for money upfront, but thsi is not the only client I've sued and so I'm going to have to. VT - no interest on judgement debts below £5K sadly.

The point is that the Court makes stupid orders - I will be getting a tenner a month for nearly 3 years assuming the client pays. If client defaults, I'll send the bailiff round.

TW - no, I trust you!!!

[Spiderman]

That sucks Ed. Can you not appeal the coutrs judgment on this one?

Also for future clients can you not draw up a contract that says you will deduct your bill from any monies that you recoup for them? I know plenty of central london sols who do this as a standing working practice. We have some money but before we send it to you we take our fees out of it. Client can appeal the bill after he's paid it but at least you got your bill settled and you're not chasing for it.

[CheGuevara]

I read the story as "I helped out a guy who screwed a company out of £30K and then karma bit me in the a$$"

Seriously that does suck though -and I bet the £10 will be a constant reminder of a bad situation for the next few years...

Originally Posted by Ed

I rejected the offer as it would take nearly 3 years to pay, assuming all the payments were made. I asked the court to order £50/month as he had conveniently overlooked the money I recovered.

The court has made an order. £10 a month it is.

I'm bloody furious. How the hell am I supposed to run a business... I now ask all my clients for £ upfront.

Grrr.

S'ok,your a solicitor......you can afford it

After being ripped off a few years ago for £900 im very distrusting of customers now, if its a big job i always ask for cash at certain stages so keep any potential damage to a minimum.

Ed, maybe spend the £10 a month on payments to a local yob to harrass the tos-ser until the debt is paid, 3 years of harrasment? hmmm...

Think of it in a positive guise. Annuity income / pension fund. Crack on with loads of these and you'll be set up for life...... or not