The appellant and her sisters retained the respondent law firms for estate litigation.
By agreement, the law firms' accounts were paid by a corporation owned by the sisters.
The appellant later discovered the accounts contained substantial undisclosed premiums and sought to have them assessed.
The motion judge dismissed the request, finding the appellant lacked standing as the corporation paid the bills.
The Court of Appeal allowed the appeal, holding that the appellant was the true client and had standing.
Furthermore, the Court exercised its inherent jurisdiction to order an assessment because the solicitors failed to disclose the premiums or advise the clients of their right to an assessment.
