It may be that given the country involved, given the rural area & given the current financial climate, I wouldn't be surprised if Cedars relationship with his lawyers isn't as straightforward as it might be in the west.
Cedars in-laws probably have deep and long standing local connections, too, so it's possible he has what we would view as a very informal agreement with his lawyers. The student also seems to be doing much of the leg work, which may get him a discount (or may be usual, I don't know).. Either way I wouldn't be surprised if things are not quite as kosher as we would expect in the west, despite the firm's qualifications being in order etc and the fact he was followed the countries legal proceedure.
For example the firm may have advised him it's all a waste of time but he's offered them a smaller than usual remittance to say nothing and allow him to 'pretend' his case has legal merit by using their "name", as such.
Just a thought.