The Court of Appeal has handed down judgment in Broadfield Law UK LLP v Barnes [2026] EWCA Civ 698 on 3 June 2026, in which Jake Coleman acted for the successful respondent.
The judgment makes clear that certainty is still required for a solicitor’s retainer to constitute a contentious business agreement under s.59 of the Solicitors Act 1974, even where the solicitor’s remuneration is by hourly rate. Amendments made to the statute in 1990 had not dispensed with the requirement of certainty.
To read the judgment, please click here. To read Jake’s note on the decision, please click below.
