Well, you should ask him to wait but generally the clients don't pay after the verdict no offence. So pay him as you would have to pay him anyway. At least he is doing your work.
Lawyer harassing for money
I had hired a lawyer to fight a property case His fee was settled and last amount was agreed to be paid once the verdict was out We agreed to pay him irrespective of what the verdict is But he is asking for payment before the verdict and threatening to not submit final documents if we don’t pay him immediately Is that fair behaviour
Asked 4 years ago in Property Law
Religion: Christian
8 Answers
A lawyer should get his fee before final verdict irrespective of favourable or unfavourable to his client. That is the norm.
You are not bound to pay lawyer before the verdict
send email to lawyer enclosing bill raised by him wherein balance amount was to be paid on verdict being delivered by court
2 things
It would be incorrect for a lawyer to charge fees based on the outcome of the dispute
So it does not matter that you agreed to pay him regardless of the verdict coming in your favour or against you
Secondly it appears that the lawyer agreed to take the last installment after or once the verdict is delivered
So the lawyer cannot now back out of the agreement and unilaterally change its terms and demand the last installment prior to delivery of verdict
In any case he will be procuring the copies of the judgment, then what is the problem for you to settle the agreed fee to the lawyer now or later.
This cannot be termed as harassment by a lawyer with regard to the fee.
You have agreed for the terms of lawyer before engaging him for the services, then it becomes your duty to comply with the conditions or terms.
There is no unfair behavior by the lawyer by just demanding his fee at the final stage.
Dear Client,
If there was any documentary evidence or oral contract than there is no need to be afraid of the threatening and in worst case you can file an FIR against the Lawyer for extortion.
Thanks & Regards
The fee structure and it's payment arrangements are between client and advocate. If the terms agreed were different you can object. Else change the lawyer if he is not submitting the documents
- As per the Advocate act , such attitude of a lawyer is against the principle of the law.
- Generally, lawyer used to face none payment of fee after the dispose off of the case, hence it may be possible that he wants to be sure of his legal fee,
- However , he cannot deny to submit the document before the court , and should settle the dispute amicably.
- Further, if you are not satisfied with his work, then you can engage a new advocate for the same.
