I have received an itemised invoice from a Solicitor that has been added up incorrectly. I have contacted their office and asked for an amended copy but they say the price is correct and that they omitted an item (some work performed by one of their colleagues). I am convinced this is just an excuse to cover up a silly mistake but am unable to prove it. Can they make me pay for something they have not itemised?
Answer by WRG
Of course they can.
Answer by Jane Smith
No. Lawyers are not permitted to correct errors. You are permitted to take advantage of their errors.
My god!
Answer by Jason W
Since you are calling them a solicitor, I'm assuming that you are in Britain. My answer applies in the U.S., but probably the law is the same there.
Yes, any professional who bills for their services is allowed to correct errors on their invoices. An invoice is simply a convenient way for them to inform you of how much they think you owe them. Unfortunately, if your plumber makes a mistake on his itemized invoice and accidentally charges you $ 52.30 instead of $ 530.00, you are not allowed to pounce upon the error and say, "Ha! Gotcha!! I don't need to pay you more than $ 52.30!!!!"
When does the issue become closed? At what point are they no longer allowed to correct errors? The answer is when you send them money in final payment, and they accept it. In other words, when they cash your check without comment, or without demanding more. By accepting payment, they are legally saying that they agree with the amount of the payment.
But your lawyer has not yet accepted your payment of the final sum, so the invoice can still be amended. You DO have the right to demand that they send you a corrected invoice, showing the proper itemization, before you pay them.
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Orignal From: Can Solicitor change an incorrect invoice after issuing?
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