In what circumstances will a solicitor be required to pay a client by the hour?
British Columbia, Canada
The following excerpt is from Matthews v. Gilbert, 2014 BCSC 1430 (CanLII):
That is essentially the same provisions that I am now dealing with. In such circumstances, the mischief which concerns me in this case has not occurred. That mischief is the practice of getting a client to commit himself to pay by the hour (something which to me resembles giving a blank cheque), insisting on payment while the matter is in progress and the client is in the solicitor's hands, and then denying to the client any right to have the court say, upon the conclusion of the retainer whether within Yule v. Saskatoon, supra, the fees were just.
"The most advanced legal research software ever built."
The above passage should not be considered legal advice. Reliable answers to complex legal questions require comprehensive research memos. To learn more visit www.alexi.com.
Other Questions
In what circumstances can a solicitor be said to be present in a transaction where the solicitor's proximity to investors was so close to the investors' solicitor that the solicitor failed to inquire? (British Columbia, Canada)
Is solicitor-client privilege established if a senior official of one of the parties gives evidence of solicitor client privilege? (British Columbia, Canada)
Does the crime exception to solicitor client privilege apply to communications that would otherwise be exempt from disclosure due to solicitor-client privilege? (British Columbia, Canada)
Does solicitor-client privilege apply to communications between client and solicitor? (British Columbia, Canada)
Is a solicitor's relationship with a client a contractual relationship between solicitor and client? (British Columbia, Canada)
Is a solicitor required to ensure that the client understood the meaning of an Agreement? (British Columbia, Canada)
Can a waiver of solicitor-client privilege occur when the client puts his mind in issue and legal knowledge? (British Columbia, Canada)
Is a law firm entitled to transfer fees for the time required to put files in order for the benefit of a client's new solicitors? (British Columbia, Canada)
What are solicitor-and-client costs for retention of a solicitor? (British Columbia, Canada)
In what circumstances will a defendant firm of English solicitors be liable for the loss of a client’s property? (British Columbia, Canada)
