Legal Harassment? - Need URGENT advice

Hi,


I would really appreciate some quick advice on the below.


- Last year, I obtained a legal advice from a lawyer and specifically told him in the meeting that the Fee I am paying him is all that I want to spend on the advice.

- After the discussion was over, he asked if I want the advice in writing and I said it wasn't required.

- Before leaving he said that he will sound off his senior partner just to validate his advice and recofirm by phone, at no charge

- He subsequently called to say that senior partner has given a different (almost opposite) advice and that is now their firm's 'official' advice. He explained the rationale of change in detail.

- About 2 month after, without my asking, he sends me detailed written (email) advice on that issue.

- After another 2-3 month he sent me an email invoice of around HKD9,000 asking for payment of writing the advice and legal review on the papers I had given him.


I was stunned, and told him that I do not agree with his invoice as I never asked for the work he is claiming he did. He kept insisting and cited a retainer agreement he had sent me but I never bothered to read (my mistake). Later he reduced the charge to HKD6000, I offered to pay him another HKD 1000 just to close the point.


Now I have received a notice from his firm saying that if I do not pay the HKD9000 by Monday they will start legal proceedings against me and sue me.


I am not in HK presently and have no idea how to respond or represent myself if they sue and what exactly could be the possible consequences


It completely feels like legal harassment to me


Any help / suggestion/ advice....


Thanks

Hi, Thanks for the reply.


I checked the SCT site, and it seems if I am not there they will easily get a decision in thier favor. Can they increase thier claim by adding any charges etc. is there any possiblity of them getting/taking money from my bank account with SCT decision thier favor? or causing any other problems


Thanks

read this:


http://www.fjt2.net/gate/gb/www.hklawsoc.org.hk/pub_c/professionalguide/volume1/default.asp?cap=16


good luck!!!