Small Claims Court. Solicitors Charges

[Suetheramble]

I am taken a freehold company to the small claims court - the result is not 100% so it could go either way.
The freehold company have informed me they will attend with solicitors and I may have to meet the costs of the solicitors if I loose.
If I should loose is the cost of solicitors capped or can the solicitors charge me pretty much what they want? What are the rules governing this.
The case is not at all complicated - just who should pay excess on an insurance claim.

[EDDIE51]

All I do know is that the solicitors fees will very likely be a lot more than the insurance excess! How much is the excess? The only time I had any dealings with solicitors the cost was £250 an hour for court time.

[Peter Pedant]

I think your first stop is a CAB with the letter

I dont understand the use of the word 'freehold' in your question about an insurance claim

you should check it is the small claims court and that the losing side is never charged with the fees of the winner
[xc when they are alleging unreasonable behaviour] and the other xc is actions in trespass which I cant think you are doing

the rules as far as I am concerned is that each side pays its own costs whatever

I suspect that they have sent you a standard terms threatening letter
in which case I would wait
and tell the judge they have been deliberately mis-stating the law in order to induce you to follow a course of action ( cease or settle ) which you would not otherwise have followed

but I agree you certainly dont wanna be dinged with the other sides costs

there is very little point in ringing up the other side and saying 'are you sure?'

[Peter Pedant]

Ed yeah about £200 /hr

but I have always acted with the idea that win or lose you dont have to pay the other sides costs in the small claims court.....

which is now quite large claims - I think anything under £10 000

[Suetheramble]

Ok thank you - I was starting to think they could claim my flat but the case should not last more than 1/2 hour (but what do I know!)and fearful fees would snowball into my flat being claimed!

[Suetheramble]

+ a solicitor is soooo overreacting to this situation.