Exceeding an estimate

Mastercigars Direct Ltd v Withers LLP [2007] EWHC 2733 (Ch) 23 November

Fourteen invoices delivered by the solicitors to their former client were ordered to be the subject of detailed assessment under s70 of the Solicitors Act 1974. The costs judge directed the trial of a preliminary issue to determine what the solicitors’ estimate of costs was intended to cover. He held that the solicitors were bound by their estimate. The solicitors appealed.