Were you charged for ongoing advice you did not receive?

Ongoing fees are charged in return for an agreed service, which may include periodic reviews, advice and support. The precise service varies between firms and clients. The starting point is therefore what the firm agreed to provide, what the client reasonably understood they would receive and whether that service was delivered in practice.

An ongoing advice fee may require investigation where promised reviews, advice or support appear not to have been provided, or where the service delivered was materially more limited than the client expected. Each case depends on the agreement and the available evidence. A missed meeting alone does not automatically mean that a fee was unfair.

Pacific Legal reviews the service agreed, the fees deducted and the available evidence of what was actually provided. Where appropriate, we may obtain additional records, examine the firm’s response and identify whether the concerns support a complaint or require further investigation.

If our initial assessment identifies potential concerns, we may request further information and explain whether the matter appears suitable for investigation. If we accept your case, we may prepare the complaint, challenge the firm’s response and consider further escalation where appropriate. Compensation is not guaranteed, and time limits may apply.