Double Settlement of Success Fee Refunds for Former St Helens Law Clients

Mr Nutton's claim had settled for £3250.00 and he had had £812.50 deducted, whilst Mr Edward's claim had settled for £3505.00 with a 25% deduction amounting to £876.25.

Pre-issue offers were made for refunds to Mr Edwards and Mr Nutton, based upon reducing St Helens Law's basic charges (claimed at over £1500.00 plus VAT in both matters) to the much lower fixed costs recovered from the third-party insurer. These offers were made reflecting our views that the retainer that both clients had entered into was a "CFA Lite", which restricts any basic charges to the amount recoverable from the opponent.

These offers were not accepted by St Helens Law and therefore proceedings under s70 Solicitors Act 1974 were necessary in order to protect our Client's right to assessment.

Proceedings were issued by the Court and shortly after directions were agreed between the parties setting out how the cases would be managed by the parties and the court.

Shortly afterwards, St Helens Law appointed a representative to act on their behalf, who made an offer on their behalf to pay refunds to both of our clients. An agreement was reached to refund Mr Edwards £531.25, and Mr Nutton £512.50, plus their legal costs.