HWL Ebsworth

Absolutely disgusting. Money grabbing. They dont care about doing a good job just taking your money.
Apr 28th, 2020

I raised an issue with HWL Ebswoth Darwin regarding a fee I was charged for the writing of a new lease for the purchase of an existing business here in Darwin. They insisted that my wife and I pay for the legal costs for both parties (my lawyer and the real estate agents for the new lease). Whilst we agreed to this to reduce hold ups any further it was the bill that was an enormous shock. Although they had written in an estimated maximum cost of $1,800, we made sure that no major changes to the existing lease were made and really the only real changes were the name and very minor alterations and very little time was required by either lawyer. My lawyers bill came in at just $160, HWL Ebsworth's bill came in at $1667.27 or over 10 times higher. I asked for a further justification of the bill and for each cost to please be itemised and they would not even reply. My lawyer considered that the matter was pretty straight forward and I could handle it myself and advised HWL Ebsworth accordingly but still they refused to contact me at all to discuss it. After over 12 months of nothing I wrote again to my realestate agent and HWL Ebsworth. My realestate agents then wrote to HWL themselves and we finally got a reply which was a blunt pay up or else we will serve notice and take action which may include termination of our lease and kicking us out of our business. HWL are very crafty I'll give them that. By delaying a response for over 12 months I am now beyond the legal requirements to log a review of costs under the N.T Law Society provisions and the court procedure (I had been unaware of this). So well played HWL Ebsworth you knew the law and my right of appeal time period better that me so I give you 1 star for that but I am sure that the law of Karma will sort you out. Avoid them at all costs!!!!
Aug 10th, 2016