Ex Client Litigation

**Mailman** · 25 May 2006, 13:17

Either way you are going to p1ss one of these ex clients off

However, Id rather p1ss off the ones who arent paying than the ones who want to be paid simply because you now cant trust the feckers who havent paid up (how can you be sure they will pay you for any work you do?).

Not to mention it would be the "right" thing to do by testifying for the ones who want to be paid.

Mailman

**Mordac** · 25 May 2006, 13:18

Originally posted by Gibbon

Also, if I'm called to court down in the smoke what kind of recompense should I be looking at and how can I make sure I'm not down there too long to p*ss off my existing client.

Your daily rate plus expenses (4* Hotel minimum, travel & parking etc.)
I would have thought one day would be enough for you to give evidence and be cross examined, although lawyers have a habit of waffling - a very profitable habit at the rates some of them charge. Remember you are offering your services as an expert - experts charge tuliploads.

**The Lone Gunman** · 25 May 2006, 13:19

You could try contacting the non-payers and asking them what is wrong with the delivered product.

Speak to them as you are concerned that you have done something wrong as it goes to your reputation.

See if you can arbitrate between them without taking sides.

**vista** · 25 May 2006, 20:13

Simple

Who's prepared to pay the most now or in the future

**thunderlizard** · 25 May 2006, 22:08

Maybe you won't annoy either of them, if you just go along and give your evidence impartially.

**TheMonkey** · 25 May 2006, 22:41

Say "lick my crack", walk off and search for business elsewhere. Stuff like this can lead to publicity and bad mouthing which is worse than losing a couple of contacts.

**vetran** · 25 May 2006, 23:28

careful

Not been in this situation myself, IANAL etc.

If its gone legal do not get involved if you can avoid it. If you appear in court willingly the other side will strike you off their list. There must be a vital deadline for your current client you just can't miss.

If the end client was extolling your virtues in email or print then pass this on to the middle client, get them to ask for it if you can. Then if the end client finds out you can plead innocence.

If you can find out why the end client is unhappy without getting involved then great if not then don't worry. If it were actually you that was the problem then its likely you would know by now as someone would be after your Professional Indemnity insurance.

**OwlHoot** · 26 May 2006, 06:56

Originally posted by The Lone Gunman

You could try contacting the non-payers and asking them what is wrong with the delivered product.

Speak to them as you are concerned that you have done something wrong as it goes to your reputation.

See if you can arbitrate between them without taking sides.

I definitely wouldn't contact the end client, because they might deliberately try to misrepresent what you say, or their understanding of it, and you could end up with both clients turning on you!

**Gibbon** · 26 May 2006, 07:53

Thanks for the answers fella's.
The ex - clients solicitors are sending me some questions they'd like me to answer so I'll think I'll take it from there. I think I could get screwed either way so I may as well answer the questions presented truthfully and not P*ss off the better and nearer future contract opps. It's not as easy as Monkey makes out as I work in narrow engineering market with only a few multinationals.

I really should get a plan B sorted.

Anyway I'm going to chill out in Rome and Florence next week and not going to give this a second thought.

Ex Client Litigation