Aldwych Legal acted for a foreign lawyer who provided expert legal assistance to a London-based UK consultancy firm. Our client offered specialist guidance on aspects of another country’s legal system under a fixed, non-refundable retainer of £18,000, giving rise to a breach of contract dispute when payment was not made. The expert report was prepared and described by the receiving firm as ‘excellent, extremely clear, and helpful.’
What Happened
Following delivery of the expert report, the London-based consultants’ firm failed to pay the invoices in accordance with the agreed retainer of £18,000. Repeated reminders were ignored, and the outstanding balance placed our client under financial strain.
Legal Issues
- Breach of contract arising from non-payment of the agreed £18,000 retainer.
- Potential breach of professional obligations under the SRA Code of Conduct, Client Care, including outcomes 1.13 and 1.8, relating to timely handling of matters and proper fee arrangements.
- Damages and loss resulting from non-payment and disruption to professional services.
Our Approach
Aldwych Legal issued formal pre-action correspondence, including a letter before claim, and engaged in negotiations with the firm. We prepared supporting documentation, liaised with the foreign lawyer and UK client to assess losses, and referenced CPR and Pre-Action Protocols where relevant to ensure a timely resolution.
Outcome
The matter settled with payment of the outstanding invoices and related costs; the firm acknowledged liability for breach of contract, and our client achieved recovery of fees and mitigation of further disruption.
Result / Why It Matters
This result demonstrates Aldwych Legal’s ability to enforce contractual rights while upholding professional standards within the UK legal market, ensuring clients are paid promptly for expert services.
