To think that this was unacceptable from solicitors

It is.

I work in a law firm OP and we’d have to report this, at least to our compliance officer. We take sending emails to the wrong address very seriously.

I would contact the ICO (Information Commissioners Office) and ask their advice and options.
I am normally quite forgiving of human error but to be so unapologetic would annoy me enough to consider a formal complaint to the firm and possibly formally with the ICO.

Anyone could find the property you’re selling and buying online though since they’re both presumably listed with estate agents.

The fact someone random has been sent an email with an address of a house for sale on it is a total non-issue!

5 figures implies 10,000 to 99,999 so not sure where you got that from…

if it were a billion I’d have changed my identity and disappeared overnight and wouldn’t be posting on Mumsnet

I’ve had worse, very reputed solicitors who made a calculation mistake in the completion amount 🙄
luckily all they did was transfer across more money to me than was due (5 figures in excess!) and I spotted it and they sheepishly took a refund from me. 😄😄
I never trust anyone when it comes to paperwork.

Why ever not? Our last estate agent recommended several. We looked at the reviews for them all and then chose. The one we used was fantastic and we have used her, and recommended her, several times since.

Not all breaches need to be reported to ICO.

They only need to be reported if it is likely to result in a risk to the rights and freedoms of the individuals. If there is a risk of actual physical harm, identity theft, financial loss, discrimination or emotional distress.

The DPO within the firm will assess whether the breach is reportable, make contact with the incorrect recipient, ask for confirmation of deletion and advise the individual who made the error.

Nonsense - the mistake has been realised by the client!

I'd be deeply unimpressed, especially with the lack of apology.
And I agree with @Itsa10fromLen, they should have had the gumption to check that they have the correct details and phone to make sure.
In my dealings with solicitors I have found that they tend to lack initiative and proactive thinking. It's quite galling when you think about how much you pay these people.

I don’t think you’re being unreasonable. You’re paying for a service. They need to ensure they get your details correct. Also, if a client doesn’t respond to an email repeatedly then they should check that they have the correct one and follow up with a phone call.

I don’t think you’re in the least bit unreasonable to not want someone else receiving your personal information. I would actually complain.

OP ask yourself what do you want to do. They made a mistake you can take your business elsewhere or follow any complaint procedure they have.

Untrue.

A mistake that wasn’t realised by either side is unlikely to result in any sort of fine

The cost implications for a breach of Data Protection can be huge. We take it seriously at my place of work.

A secretary’s mistake is your responsibility & should be dealt with accordingly. A bit of a chat & kind words to the instigator of said mistake is all well & good, but it’s the client who’s the one of real concern. Your attitude mirrors that of the firm instructed by the MN - oh, it’ll be alright, it was the secretary, let’s not make a fuss of it. God, I’d make a bloody fuss of it if I were the one whose confidential details had been disclosed. There’s a price to pay for these matters.

Oh for fuck sake.

My own secretary did this a few months ago. Mistakes happen.

She came to me really apologetic and we went into a meeting room and discussed. Then we followed the process and reported what we needed to report to who it needs ro be reported to and dont think there werent consequences.

If busy body clients want to start reporting us to the SRA go right ahead but the secretary doesn't come under their auspices and isn't regulated by them and Im not sure what you'd want them to do. The SRA cant fine or discipline a secretary. They can restrict one from ever working in a law firm again but they wouldn't do it for accidental email of a document to the wrong person.

At least complain to the right body.

They cant be allowed to get away with it - aye , I'll set up the guillotine. 🤣

This is a clear breach of Data Protection. You need to contact your solicitors & ask them what they intend to do about it. This is serious stuff. If no joy, advise them you’ll contact the Solicitors Regulatory Authority to take it further. They can’t get away with such sloppy & incompetent workmanship - it falls well below acceptable standards.

I had a similar attitude from a solicitor who sent me copies of another couple's wills, similar surname but different first names and town, and we hadn't yet signed up with the firm to do our mirror wills. I was disgusted to be honest, but the secretary who made the mistake didn't think it was an issue, didn't apologise, she even addressed the email to me, by first name, yet the will doc had the correct client name right there in the file name. Needless to say we did not proceed with the firm for any work.

If there is any personally identifiable information in those emails you should report information commissioner’s office for a data breach.