In short (statements of fact): I had one meeting with multiple professionals of this firm, they started billing me immediately and racked up €4k *before* they even emailed me an engagement letter that detailed the scope of work, and another €7k after (even though I did *not* sign the engagement letter), all for work I didn't know was happening. According to their OWN terms they should have invoiced monthly. Had they done this, I would have stopped their work immediately on receipt of the first invoice. Instead they sent an invoice after a YEAR. I eventually did agree to settle for €7k, but purely to save legal costs and my time. In court, the lawyer for HVK Stevens argued that this situation was like a contractor coming around for a job, and starting the work immediately but leaving the paperwork for later. Looking back, this comparison is surprisingly apt: Most contractors I have dealt with have left me feeling screwed in exactly the same way!