A lawyer sued a former client for unpaid legal fees arising from a family law retainer.
The defendant counterclaimed alleging negligence, harassment causing job loss, breaches of confidentiality, and excessive billing.
The court rejected all counterclaim allegations, finding no evidence of negligence, harassment, or damages.
Applying principles governing the assessment of solicitors’ accounts, including time spent, complexity, results achieved, and the client’s ability to pay, the court determined the accounts were partly excessive due to duplication and overbilling.
The fees were reduced and fixed at $50,500 plus interest under the Solicitors Act.