Background Facts

[1] The appellant was the solicitor for the respondent in a matter involving several contentious legal matters involving a company known as Rong Ji. On completion of the several contentious matters, the appellant submitted two gross sum bills to the respondent for payment by him. According to the appellant, the two bills were in respect of the seven different contentious matters that the appellant had acted as the solicitor for the respondent. The 1st gross sum bill for RM350,000 ('1st bill') was dated 26 April 2010 and was in respect of three of these contentious matters. The 2nd gross sum bill for RM450,000 ('2nd bill') was also dated 26 April 2010 and was in respect of the four remaining contentious matters. According to the appellant, the 1st and 2nd bills were despatched pursuant to an oral agreement reached between the parties whereby the respondent agreed to pay RM800,000 by way of full and final settlement for the legal work undertaken by the appellant for