Are Legal Costs Really Going Up?
"Access to Justice" tends to be a topical issue in the newspapers. The general feeling seems to be that legal costs are spiraling ever upwards to the detriment of the public. Take this article from CanWest News Services.
Few would dispute that litigation costs can sometimes grow rapidly, particularly where the issues are complex or a litigant acts unreasonably. However, it seems to me that for many other legal services, there has actually been a reduction over the years. I am often surprised to find out the legal costs for the average client to: make a Will, buy or sell a house purchase, buy or sell a small business, set up a company or other routine solicitor's work.
I suspect many lawyers, especially sole practitioners, might agree that many of these expenses have actually been reduced for clients over the years. They may even say that the standard of care tends to rise over time, so what was simple forty years ago is more complex today.
I suppose at the end of the day sympathy for lawyers doesn't make for a great news story...
Have a great day.
Chris Graham
