Agencies charging clients £120/hr

[AtW]

Whilst there may be a barrier to entry, it is not a cartel controlled by "The law society".

Law society controls the cartel: you can't be a solicitor who can practice until you get X years of experience, same goes for barristers, getting education is no problem - problem is getting a place to get this experience because otherwise you can't call yourself a lawyer or solicitor.

It is easy to see that the whole thing is a cartel - if they exploit those people desperate to get fully qualified then it's clear there is no competition - barristers can charge hundreds of pounds an hour, yet until they qualify they get paid maybe £10k per year! Heck, even that was recent, so effectively they like worked for free (or at least this is the impression I got).

I paid once for solicitors - trainee solicitor dealt with me, she was the cheapest at £80 + VAT per hour, but she certainly was not paid more than £30k, probably £25k, only when she qualified (and her rate probably doubled) she'd get salary raise.

It's a cartel, as simple as this - it's only good if you are in it, but for most people outside (especially the taxpayer) it is very bad thing.

[tim123]

The problem is not that, but illegal cartel which is "Law Society" - their main job is to restrict supply, thus allowing themselves to charge ridiculous amounts of money - this is what results in high charges.

Whilst there may be a barrier to entry, it is not a cartel controlled by "The law society".

It is controlled by the number of people that colleges are ready, willing and able to train (and exam).

Anybody who qualifies can become a member of "The law society" and start up in practice for themself.

tim

[AtW]

Still, if it weren't for governments rolling out endless laws that are incomprehensible to normal people we wouldn't need solicitors and lawyers.

The problem is not that, but illegal cartel which is "Law Society" - their main job is to restrict supply, thus allowing themselves to charge ridiculous amounts of money - this is what results in high charges.

[Dow Jones]

Good point

I think you'll find that this already exists. I typed something on a search engine the other day and up came a few on-line solicitor firms that were prepared to dish out simple advice for as little as £ 20-30 per question. Maybe more for representation, but not bad as a starting point.

[PAH]

That's nothing. I know a solicitor who's charging £300 per hour and handles all basic admin himself, so when the bill comes it shows a full £300 for simply reading a one page letter, without the time to then reply to that letter.

No wonder people choose to represent themselves, thieving scum.

Still, if it weren't for governments rolling out endless laws that are incomprehensible to normal people we wouldn't need solicitors and lawyers.

Seeing as law is supposedly set in stone and not open to interpretation, how come no-one has knocked up a website where it's all automated? If doctors can use expert systems to diagnose illnesses, why not something similar for law? I suppose those with sufficient law knowledge are too busy fleecing people to be bothered.

[M_B]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7225180.stm

Hospitals have paid over £120 an hour for agency workers to cover for gaps in staffing, according to latest figures.

The highest amounts paid for an agency nurse were £121.59 an hour by the Royal Berkshire trust and £121.10 by the Chesterfield and Royal Hospital trust.

The figures for the past year were obtained by the Conservative Party under the Freedom of Information Act.

Last year, the Commons Public Accounts Committee said temporary nurses helped NHS flexibility but could be costly.


It's okay, it's only tax payers money.

The same story on the front page of the metro this morning stated that agencies retain up to 45% of that figure.

[super]

On a similar note, a friend who's going through a divorce said his solicitor charges £150/hour plus £25 per letter!

That's nothing. I know a solicitor who's charging £300 per hour and handles all basic admin himself, so when the bill comes it shows a full £300 for simply reading a one page letter, without the time to then reply to that letter.

[AtW]

Solicitors have got a scheme which qualifies for illegal cartel whose purpose is to restrict supply to the market and generally restrain competition. As the result not many can afford legal help and legal aid budget is going through the roof.

[PAH]

I know of a project for a government department where IBM rolled in and replaced 8-10 staff with a team of 40+, no doubt charging full whack per person too. Funniest thing is, the IBM staff were so crap and had managers managing managers that it did take that many people to get the job done.

On a similar note, a friend who's going through a divorce said his solicitor charges £150/hour plus £25 per letter!

I think us IT contractors are selling ourselves too cheaply, or not directly enough. Wouldn't suprise me if the agency is creaming off 70% of those fees they charge the NHS. If the government had any nouse they'd ban agencies and set up their own in-house one, like many of the big corporates do.

[NoddY]

A radiographer friend of mine laments how the temporary job market in the NHS became populated with 'preferred suppliers [of labour]'. No doubt the pedigree of such suppliers can be traced back New Labour's friends 'in business' who employ ex-double glazing salesmen to place healthcare staff.

[DimPrawn]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7225180.stm

Hospitals have paid over £120 an hour for agency workers to cover for gaps in staffing, according to latest figures.

The highest amounts paid for an agency nurse were £121.59 an hour by the Royal Berkshire trust and £121.10 by the Chesterfield and Royal Hospital trust.

The figures for the past year were obtained by the Conservative Party under the Freedom of Information Act.

Last year, the Commons Public Accounts Committee said temporary nurses helped NHS flexibility but could be costly.


It's okay, it's only tax payers money.