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GEORGE TOWN: The next time you get a bill from a lawyer handling your conveyancing matters, ask for itemised details to make sure you have not been overcharged.

The Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) has received complaints about lawyers who unscrupulously bill their clients in violation of the Legal Profession Act.

In a statement yesterday, CAP president SM Mohamed Idris called on the Bar Council to conduct random checks on lawyers’ bills to take action against those who flout the rules.

“Consumers who have been subjected to such excessive costs should complain to the Bar Council immediately and get refunds accordingly,” he said.

Idris noted that under section 113 of the Legal Profession Act, the Solicitors Remuneration Order (SRO) 2005 governs issues related to lawyer’s fees for non-contentious matters.

“However, there are lawyers who do not adhere to the SRO 2005, which came into effect on Jan 1, 2006, and continue to charge for matters they are not entitled to,” he said.

Idris quoted, as an example, that if a solicitor charged a full-scale fee, it would include preparing the statutory declaration for which there should be no additional charges.

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