Herbert Smith Freehills dropped by LSB after £400,000 estimate

There was much coughing and shuffling of feet at Herbert Smith Freehills this week after it was dropped by a high profile client over a massive cost estimate.

HSF was representing the legal profession's super regulator, the Legal Services Board, in relation to its new quality assurance scheme to grade criminal barristers. The Criminal Bar Association is up in arms over what it claims is an unworkable system, and is seeking a judicial review.

HSF is acting for the LSB to oppose the CBA's application and, as befits a top flight law firm, its fees don't come cheap. Well, someone's got to pay Charles Saatchi. As the matter rumbled on the CBA applied for a Protective Costs Order that would limit its liability to £150,000. HSF argued against this and put in a £400,000 cost estimate for a three day hearing. However Justice Ouseley told the firm to sling its hook and granted the order. And the LSB, faced with having to stump up a fortune out of its own pocket, dropped HSF faster than the BBC rids itself of 70s DJs. According to the Lawyer, Field Fisher Waterhouse has now been instructed instead.

A massive bill yesterday

Unsurprisingly no one from HSF would comment.

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Comments

Isn't it rather ironic that the LSB, which is always moaning (quite rightly) about how law firms are too expensive, inefficient and don't really give a damn about the client, then instructs a bunch of money-blind City boys who understandably try to stiff them for £400,000. Seems to totally undermine the LSB's holier than thou position. They're happy to put the boot into the evils of the legal sector, until of course it's their arse they're trying to protect.