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AIBU?

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Original poster

To think that this was unacceptable from solicitors

129 replies

princessposy · 18/08/2026 20:09

DH doesn’t think this is a hugely big deal but I am really irritated by it.

I am selling a property. Estate agents recommended a solicitor so got a quote, paid them, sent some paperwork off then heard nothing for a few weeks. Probably should have chased it but there has been an awful lot on.

It transpires the solicitors have been sending forms and so on to an incorrect email address. It’s just my name at gmail dot com but my name is similar to a more common one. So as well as not getting the emails, they’ve been going to someone with a similar name to mine.

The solicitors didn’t seem bothered at all and just forwarded the emails to the correct email address.

AIBU to think that’s not acceptable? Or am I overreacting?

OP posts:
PastorG · 19/08/2026 08:09

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PastorG · 19/08/2026 08:09

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SaltyandSweet · 19/08/2026 08:08

You can report them to the Solicitors' Regulation Authority to be investigated for breach of client confidentiality ... though I would remove my business from them first!

WildFatball · 19/08/2026 07:55

Never use the solicitors recommended by the estate agent, find your own independently.

wherearemypeople · 19/08/2026 07:53

If they are making that kind of mistake make sure you read the paperwork you sign before signing - it's amazing how often names are wrong on documentation that then creates more hassle to sort out later on.

Original poster
princessposy · 19/08/2026 07:53

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They had everything as I’d filled in the initial forms. Name, address, phone no, email. All the correspondence had been through the post and until yesterday I had no idea they’d been trying to email me.

OP posts:
Theseventhmagpie · 19/08/2026 07:52

Gengha · 18/08/2026 20:21

Nothing the OP has said has suggested they aren’t handling it as a data breach internally.

Human beings make mistakes OP, even lawyers. What exactly do you want them to do, other than rectify the mistake, which they have done?

Show quote history

Apologise?!

ChaliceinWonderland · 19/08/2026 07:41

Leave them a shit review and report to official ombudsman for breach if gdpr. If they arec240£ an hour like my solicitors, I'd be doing this and finding an alternative

PastorG · 19/08/2026 07:39

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AlexFurbison · 19/08/2026 07:38

If there was confidential info in there (covered by GDPR rules) you could email the solicitor and say you are thinking if contacting the ICO to report the breach. It might make them realise the seriousness of their mistake and apologise at least?

Obviously disregard if you feel there wasn't anything too identifying in there.

Empress13 · 19/08/2026 07:06

princessposy · 18/08/2026 20:22

The forms were attached and included details on the property being sold, the address and so on. It probably isn’t confidential, just frustrating and I do feel a little uncomfortable that someone with a similar name to mine now knows the details of the property I’m selling!

If it’s on Rightmove everyone will know the property you are selling tbh . I’m guessing only the sale instruction forms were sent which are generic. Surely if one is selling a property one should chase documents which haven’t been received? You don’t sound very invested in this sale feel sorry for your poor buyers buying from someone who can’t be arsed to get on with the process

Original poster
princessposy · 19/08/2026 06:59

I couldn’t really stay on top of what I hadn’t received!

OP posts:
MandemChickenShop · 19/08/2026 06:58

not the end of the world. just try and stay on top of them from now on.

Original poster
princessposy · 19/08/2026 06:57

It probably isn’t worth chasing it in terms of stress levels. I was annoyed yesterday but I suppose at least it’s been sorted now.

OP posts:
listitorchuckit · 19/08/2026 06:56

From experience, solicitors never apologise as that would be admitting liability.

NoisyUmberBalonz · 19/08/2026 06:47

Sounds like a GDPR breach to me, if I did that with my legal work I would expect a formal complaint and censure.

Boobyslims · 19/08/2026 06:44

CurlsLDN · 18/08/2026 20:20

Only if they actually shared any data that requires protection.

if it was Hi Sue, please fill in this form, then it’s not confidential

Show quote history

I don’t think that is correct? Personal identifiable information cannot be shared unless there is a valid reason, and it sounds like that is what has been breached. A solicitor cannot share a list of names of a clients to boast its clients, for example, unless permission is given.

OP, I’d want a half decent apology too.

MarthaLovesLaughing · 19/08/2026 06:41

concertinacornflake · 19/08/2026 05:49

Only serious breaches have to be reported. This may not meet the threshold - I don't know if it would or not in this case.

Show quote history

I think it would meet the criteria as I'm assuming there were address and bank details within the emails.....obviously I don't know 👍

Original poster
princessposy · 19/08/2026 06:32

I haven’t had zero contact with them. I spoke to them initially and I paid via bank transfer. I also sent back some forms I received through the post about furniture and fittings and included the payment then. It wasn’t the full payment, it was £250 which of course isn’t the whole amount.

OP posts:
PastorG · 19/08/2026 06:16

Nearly50omg · 19/08/2026 06:15

Very unusual to pay them before they finished the job for you?

And how did you pay them if you had zero contact with them?

Nearly50omg · 19/08/2026 06:15

Very unusual to pay them before they finished the job for you?

PastorG · 19/08/2026 05:53

princessposy · 19/08/2026 05:14

They didn’t make a mistake once and correct it immediately though, they repeatedly sent emails to the wrong person, then complained to the estate agents that I wasn’t sending them forms they needed and it was only when I urged them to check they realised their mistake and sent the forms onto me with no word of apology.

@Muffsies my (wrongly spelled!) name, address, address of the property being sold, phone no and so on. So information that really shouldn’t have been shared.

Show quote history

Did the solicitor not have your telephone number? Had you had zero communication with them?

MinnieMountain · 19/08/2026 05:52

@Followthesunshine conveyancers can still be very good. It's the conveyancing factory businesses that you want to avoid.

concertinacornflake · 19/08/2026 05:49

MarthaLovesLaughing · 19/08/2026 05:38

The GDPR breach should have been reported to ICO within 72 hours. If it hasn't been reported you should report it

Only serious breaches have to be reported. This may not meet the threshold - I don't know if it would or not in this case.

MarthaLovesLaughing · 19/08/2026 05:38

The GDPR breach should have been reported to ICO within 72 hours. If it hasn't been reported you should report it

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