Facts
The spouses A.A. and B.A. (defendants, appellants) conducted proceedings against the tax authorities of Obwalden in the years 2004-2007, in which they were represented by lawyer C. (plaintiff, respondent). The plaintiff repeatedly issued invoices for his expenses, of which only a portion was paid.
With a claim dated November 10, 2011, the plaintiff requested that the defendants be ordered to pay him CHF 38,722.-- plus interest. The Cantonal Court ordered the defendants to pay the plaintiff CHF 14,852.05 plus interest. The High Court overturned the decision of the Cantonal Court, dismissed the appeal of the defendants and upheld the cross-appeal of the plaintiff. It ordered the defendants to pay the plaintiff CHF 38,722.-- plus interest.
With a civil law appeal, the defendants requested the Federal Court to overturn the contested decision and to dismiss the claim at their expense.
Considerations
The Federal Court states that it generally only addresses the alleged grievances, unless the legal deficiencies are blatantly obvious. It bases its judgment on the facts established by the lower instance and can only correct or supplement them if they are manifestly incorrect or based on a violation of the law.
The Federal Court considers the plaintiff's claim to be fundamentally justified, as it is based on various invoices that together exceed the amount claimed. However, the lower instance must still examine whether the invoiced expenses were…