Toms (t/a Goldbergs Solicitors) v Brannan

Toms (t/a Goldbergs Solicitors) v Brannan

The Defendant was not in breach of the CFA; therefore, the Claimant was not entitled to recover professional fees (charges) but only expenses and disbursements, which were not the subject of the claim. The appeal fails as the claim for professional fees is not supported by the CFA terms given the factual findings.

Parties
Claimant / Appellant: Raymond Lawrence Toms (trading as Goldbergs Solicitors); Defendant / Respondent: John Brannan
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
27 October 2020
Procedural Posture
Civil Appeal / Judgment on Appeal
Outcome
Appeal dismissed
Legal Topics
Conditional Fee Agreements, Professional Fees, Solicitor Client Relationship, Termination of Contract

Case Brief

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Parties

Raymond Lawrence Toms (trading as Goldbergs Solicitors)

Claimant / Appellant

John Brannan

Defendant / Respondent

Procedural Posture

Civil Appeal / Judgment on Appeal

  1. 1 Whether the Defendant was bound by the Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA)
  2. 2 Whether the Defendant breached the CFA
  3. 3 Whether the Claimant was entitled to recover professional fees under the CFA

Ratio Decidendi

The Defendant was not in breach of the CFA; therefore, the Claimant was not entitled to recover professional fees (charges) but only expenses and disbursements, which were not the subject of the claim. The appeal fails as the claim for professional fees is not supported by the CFA terms given the factual findings.

Court Disposition

Appeal dismissed

Orders

  • Claimant/Appellant to pay Defendant/Respondent's costs summarily assessed at £5,000