I've got my Decree Absolut and we just about to deal with financial side.

Gosh hang on to them !!

You've done the easy bit - now comes the clever stuff - unless it's all straightforward ?

My stbx's sol is about 12 years old and her inexperience is dragging us both through the courts - hence my question "what's the least in the way of qualifications that a Trainee Solicitor can have " ??

poppy

I haven'e seen yet my solicitors fees but I am looking forward in seeing them...

Has anyone ever had one of these letters we're supposed to get ?
http://www.lawsociety.org.uk/documents/downloads/yourclientsyourbusiness.pdf

"A good client care letter should:
clearly identify the client; identity the client’s ­object­ives;
clarify the issues involved and options available to the client;
state what the solicitor is instructed to do next (and what is not included in the retainer if appropriate) and, if possible, give timescales;
give an overall estimate of costs, broken down between fees, VAT and disbursements;
make it clear how costs have been calculated and refer the client to any additional information on costs in the terms and conditions document, if there are any;
give the name and status of the person who will be dealing with the matter in the firm and the name of the principal responsible for its overall supervision; and
give the name and status of the person whom the client should approach if there is a problem.
Some solicitors ask the client to sign, date and return either the client care letter or their terms and conditions document. This is not a regulatory requirement, but could assist solicitors if they are subsequently faced with a client denying he or she has received this information.
The client care checklist that follows is intended as a useful source of information, in an easy-to-read format, covering the principal areas covered by the code. The checklist is not a substitute for considering the rule in full when deciding how best to comply with its provisions.

© The Law Society 2007 October 2007 page 6 of 27

Same Law Soc Client Care hoot -- about costs :
"2.3 Costs
How you address costs information will vary depending on the matter and how costs are being funded. However, our suggested approach is for the costs information which appears in your client care letter to be tailored to the circumstances of that particular client. It may be appropriate to include in your general terms and conditions document other standard information about costs.
2.4 General costs information
give the best information possible about the likely overall costs, broken down between fees, VAT and disbursements;
explain the time likely to be spent, if time is a factor in calculating the fees;
the best information possible can include:
o agreeing a fixed-fee; or
o giving a realistic estimate; or
o giving a forecast within a possible range of costs; or
o explaining why it is not possible to give the above; and instead give the best possible information about the costs of the next stage of the matter
explain the client’s ability to set upper limits on fees to a privately paying client;
make clear at the outset if it is an estimate or a quotation and ensure that the client understands the difference;
explain how fees are calculated (for example, by giving hourly rates) – this is unnecessary where the fees are fixed or clear;
state if charging rates may be increased;
state how the firm will charge if the matter is not completed;
outline what reasonably foreseeable payments the client may have to make (to any party) and when;
agree times or stages in the transaction when the client will be updated in relation to costs information (including not only costs incurred, but also addressing when a costs estimate or agreed upper limit may be exceeded) and any changed circumstances affecting the client’s potential liability for costs, risk or cost-benefit position. Costs information should be updated regularly (in practical terms, at least every six months or as otherwise agreed), or sooner, if it appears that a costs estimate or agreed upper limit may or will be exceeded;
explain the firm’s billing arrangements;
explore the availability of alternative funding arrangements, even if the firm does not take on work on that basis;
consider whether the client’s cost might be covered by insurers or someone else, such as an employer or trade union;
advise the client of the cost-benefit risk analysis of pursuing their matter;
disclose any relevant arrangement with a third party, such as a funder, fee-sharer, or introducer that may affect the client or the solicitor’s conduct of the matter – including the amount of any referral fee where appropriate;
advise the client if money is needed on account; and
explain that there may be circumstances when the firm may be en­title­d to exercise a lien for unpaid costs"

Absolutely none of that in my case - I got regular bills - that's all.

Hi Poppy

A trainee has at least a bachelors degree (i.e. a first degree) and then their post graduate qualificiation which for them is a year course called the Legal Practice Course(LPC).

If their first degree is not a law degree (i.e. if they do not have the letters LLB (Hons) behind their name, they have to first do a post grad course in between the degree and the LPC which is a conversion course.

Dont worry if your lawyer does not have a law degree....nothing they taught us on that is any use anyway!!!

Amanda

Hi Amanda

I don't have a solicitor but I have all the wise peeps here on wiki

However I think I'm far far better off than stbx who appears to have a solicitor who maybe has a degree on The Inside of a Tennis Ball and who then slept or smoked her way through her LPC....



Harsh but true

poppy