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Bray Walker Solicitors and others v Silvera [2008] EWHC 3147 QBD 18 December

The claimant solicitors sought payment of their basic costs incurred when they acted under a conditional fee agreement (CFA) as solicitors for the defendant in proceedings he brought for negligence and breach of contract against his former legal advisors. The CFAs were brought to an end and the retainer subsequently terminated when the underlying proceedings had not come to a conclusion. The claimant presented bills for the payment of basic fees for some £350,000. These remained unpaid and accordingly the solicitors issued proceedings reserving the right to sue for their success fees depending on the outcome of the proceedings. The defence alleged that: