Factura advice

I had some work done by a Spanish solicitor recently and despite asking to be kept abreast of on-going costs following a meeting with him he suddenly announced he wanted 1000euros as payment up to that point. I subsequently asked for a factura containing a breakdown of costs but he has refused to provide one and has since now stated the amount was wrong and wants 1,300euros (still no breakdown in expenditure)

Question is can I expect or demand a breakdown of costs or is he within his rights just to pluck a figure out of the air without an invoice being provided (facture)

Requested advice from two other solicitors but neither will advise only referring me to school of lawyers.

Any advice would br useful before deciding what to do next.

Willyr.

I think if you INSIST on completing the forms he will be a lot more amenable.

Hi willyr

I would definitely insist on a factura before paying; that's just normal.  It's ridiculous to expect you to pay if they can't justify what you're paying for.  Our lawyer always gives us a factura.  Of course, it can say things like '300 euros' for issuing a piece of paper to someone, but at least then you can dispute that cost. All the best.

My son in UK is an accountant.  The solicitor he uses charges £400 and my son thinks that's great, in that he gets what he pays for.

As for a bill. Well as eggcup says,  he could charge whatever he likes, so maybe negotiating before the work would make a lot more sense.
 

Basic common sense here. If he cannot produce an itemised factura, how can he even know himself what you supposedly "owe?

Ridiculous.

I would also demand the complaints book.

I always ask for a quotation prior to any work taking place with expenses itemised. Also terms and conditions, as you would in the UK.  If they refuse to give this, then look elsewhere.  There is no way I would pay any monies over without an estimate and a subsequent invoice.  As is said on this thread, you don't know what you are paying for.

Very interesting this thread.

My situation is not quite the same. I employed a solicitor for a case that went to court and which was found in my favour,but as the company had gone bust the bank had prioraty on the assets leaving we poor mortals with noththing.

My question is, I have asked the solicitor for the paperwork relating to the case and an invoice for the work he has or has not done, He has ignored my requests. Is he obliged to invoice me and give me the papers to my case?

Thanks to everyone who has replied with advice.

At our initial meeting with the solicitor (who had been recommended by the school of lawyers), we wanted the answers to only 4 questions that we couldn’t answer ourselves, we were on a tight budget and he agreed to keep us informed of costs etc.

We provided all the documentation he required so no costs incurred, all he really had to do was send a letter and look at a set of deeds from a third party.

After 12 months we never saw a copy of the letter he said had been sent and we found out he still hadn’t seen the deeds hence the request for the facture breakdown of incurred costs. Incidently we were no further forward with the problem.

At the last meeting we all had we told him to stop and were told the total cost was 1000 euros as stated earlier.

After waiting for a couple of months for the requested facture he informed us the bill was now 1,300 euros. I smelled the proverbial rat especially as there was no mention of an VAT amount and wanted cash only.

Before I take the matter further I wanted to know if I was right in my thinking of my right to a breakdown of costs before paying or was it normal practice in Spain not to provide one.

Your replies confirmed my way of thinking so will progress this as a complaint unless he complies.

Thanks again

willyr

Thanks ElaineG,

Will do as JohnZX recommends and keep you informed.

Willyr