Solicitors why do they charge so much??

Question

I have received a summons to appear at court I went to see a solicitor for advice on this & he can help me but his hourly rate is something like 150 + vat an HOUR!!!!!!!! does this seem right, does anybody know what the going average rate is??

Answer 1

Actually that sounds pretty cheap. But if you want to defend it you should certainly:

1. Ask whether you are entitled to legal aid; and
2. Ask for (a) a quote up-front about the number of hours it is likely to take, (b) monthly invoices and (c) for the solicitor to let you know if the quote is likely to be exceeded.

If you don't want or need to defend it, save your money, don't be legally represented and plead guilty.

As to your question about why solicitors charge so much, we don't get to take it all home you know!! Solicitors are on a salary the same as most people but we don't get any overtime - not even if we work in the evening or at weekends (which we regularly do). The fees that are charged go towards:

1. Paying solicitors' salaries;
2. Paying the salaries of non fee-earning support staff (secretaries, receptionists etc). These employees do not bring in any money so are a very expensive drain on the business.
3. Renting the office;
4. Paying for equipment and stationery costs (we go through a LOT of paper, toner and ink);
5. Paying telephone, internet, electricity, water bills;
6. Buying legal books and subscribing to the legal databases that allow us to keep up to date with the law for the benefit of our clients;
7. Paying practising fees to the Law Society.

Any profits that are left over is the partners' remuneration (they are the people who own the firm).

A law firm is a business, just like any other. Solicitors don't charge high hourly rates because they want to be mean, they just charge what they need to charge in order to be able to run the business and make a profit at the end of it. The only way of creating income is to charge fees - there are no other incomings. I think you'll find the hourly rate is similar in any profession where the sale of knowledge and expertise is the only way to create an income stream.

Answer 2

I believe they charge so much to make you believe that they are working hard on your case. When this is not the case. The volume of work solicitors take on you'll be lucky if they even spend half an hour all together on your appeal.

To get a better deal on prices, the only way I know is to use a solicitor that is recommended by a friend that may own a company or put a lot of business their way. They may then charge you a flat rate?

Answer 3

Solicitors charge a lot as they specialise and spent years in univercity studying the law, and continue to study daily as the laws change constantly. Citizens advice are very good at helping and advising people, and it's free. If they cannot help they will refer you to a solicitor if needs be.

Answer 4

That seems to be the average going rate.

Answer 5

This sounds about right,you know the sayings about lawyers,just goes to show that they are all true.I think that they all get together with their association and work out their charges.

Answer 6

so that when they have paid off their student loan from law school they can drive around in flashy cars, buy a nice house, wear smart expensive clothes and make us jealous!!
god for them, bad for us!
[maybe i should be a solicitor!!]

Answer 7

That's the going rate I'm afraid. See if you are eligible for legal aid.

Answer 8

Because they can. Because they're greedy and because they're a law unto themselves. Nobody sues lawyers, do they? Everyone is scared of them. They have too much power.

Answer 9

Because they can! My divorce legal bill came to £8,000! It's a Cartel.

Answer 10

They charge so much because they can! I would if I'd spent years training and taking exams, I'd want to make that back with interest.