This is an appeal from a Superior Court decision concerning the assessment of a solicitor's bill.
The appellant, a former client, challenged the reversal of two reductions made by an assessment officer: one for annual hourly rate increases without sufficient notice, and another for the law firm's failure to pursue a costs award at the Supreme Court.
The Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal, affirming that the retainer agreement provided adequate notice for rate increases up to $25 per year, especially given the client received independent legal advice.
The court also found the assessment officer erred in principle by granting a reduction for a claim of professional negligence that the client was already pursuing in a separate civil action and had not sought in the assessment hearing.
