SRA Update
Changes on charges
SRA Update Issue 9 – August 2009
We have added new guidance to rule 2 of the Solicitors' Code of Conduct advising solicitors how to deal with complaints about their charges, and we are currently consulting on a new rule about giving clients information about challenging a bill.
In the meantime, the SRA Board has made a new emergency rule 2.08, which covers the information that must be given to clients before you can bring proceedings to recover non-contentious costs or if you have deducted your costs from money held on behalf of the client and the client objects.
If you issue bills with information about the right to a remuneration certificate and assessment (taxation) by the court, you can either delete the part about remuneration certificates or leave it as it is and be ready to explain the situation to any client who approaches you.
A consultation is taking place about a definitive rule about giving relevant information to clients. To learn more or to take part, visit sra.org.uk/consultations.