Payment of fee to lawyers
I have retained a Lawyer in Ahmedabad for a Civil suit and a criminal case. AT the start we had verbally agreed to pay 50% of the stipulated fee upfromt and that I would get receipts for payments made to him, and also get documents prepared, as soft-copy in PDF format. I had ASSUMED that I would not have to make any payments for another year or so, once 50% fee was paid
I paid the 50% of legal fee within 2 months of the filing of case (via cheque, NEFT) and additional Rs 30,000.00 in cash, for procedural expenses.
Lawyer has been asking for more fee for the past year since the cases began, although the progress is nowhere near 50%. I have resisted paying him so far.
I want to know if there is a general NORM followed by lawyers regarding payment of fees, as the case proceeds.
When asked for Receipts for payments, he kept assuring but never gave any. Finally he has sent me Invoices for the payments -- but these invoices do not have any statement saying these payments have already been made.
When asked, the lawyer says that he only raises Invoices for his clients, but never gives Receipts -- claiming that this is the standard practice of all lawyers.
I do not believe what he has told me, I want to know the standard practice (which should be) followed by lawyers in India -- Do they Issue Receipts of Payments made or Not ?
It is also strange that he does not give me soft-copies of documents prepared by him.
Is he trying (somehow) to erase evidence of professional legal assistance provided by him - to restrict his taxable income , or is just being callous to clients needs ?
Asked 8 years ago in Civil Law
If dissatisfied with legal services I change the lawyer, can I lodge a complaint against him with the Advocate Association : Will it have any effect ?
Asked 8 years ago
If dissatisfied with legal services I change the lawyer, I will loose the 50% fee paid to him so far.. Can I lodge a complaint against him with the Ahmedabad Advocate Association. Will it have any effect or the complaint will just be ignored ?
Asked 8 years ago