The client had been charged substantial accounting fees for two years work and was being sued by the accountant for non-payment.
Thorough analysis of the accountant’s time-cost records revealed that the client’s fee included a significant sum ( greater than one-third of the amount claimed ) added to billable costs as a “write-on” i.e. an arbitrary sum added to the time spent on the client’s affairs. Counsel for the client was able to negotiate a significant reduction in the sum owed as agreed in an out-of-court settlement.