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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To expect solicitors to actually respond in time for it to be of any value?

24 replies

Bedfordbelle · 04/12/2018 12:50

Yes, I know I am because I know they rarely do so I should never have expected anything else.

With legal stuff, you have to meet deadlines or face consequences. Why doesn't this seem to matter to the people it should matter to?

In every dealing I've had with solicitors - buying houses, family courts, insurance cases, even work stuff - the stress around the matter is at least 75% related to hanging on for solicitors, getting the wrong information from solicitors, solicitors not doing their job properly.

I've had at least one solicitor who I would class as good and I still had these problems.

And don't get me started on trying to get past the switchboard to speak to them!

If I caused as much stress to my clients in my job I wouldn't have a job.

I realise solicitors are very busy etc etc but they need to communicate better.

I am going to miss an important deadline despite being organised myself well in advance and I could do without this.

Rant over.

OP posts:

badlydrawnperson · 04/12/2018 12:54

YANBU its the last restrictive practises closed-shop and one of the few that didn't feel the Thatcherite wind of change the rest of us got hit with.

Since they are all so shite there is no incentive to improve either.

badlydrawnperson · 04/12/2018 12:55

You will get flamed by all the lawyers and their lackeys on here though.

LostInShoebiz · 04/12/2018 12:56

In what way is it a closed shop? No one is required to use a solicitor. If sell a property you can go to a licensed conveyancer or for other matters you can self represent or seek assistance from a McKenzie Friend.

Original poster

Bedfordbelle · 04/12/2018 13:01

Flame away! I don't care because in this matter there are no other parties or solicitors they need to correspond with. They only have to cast an eye over information I have provided. We discussed it two weeks ago. I provided the information. I was promised a response last week. They were aware of the deadlines. I've chased but heard nothing. I don't know how that can be justified. Even a "Sorry but an urgent case came up" would be better than nothing.

OP posts:

OohBabyBabeh · 04/12/2018 13:02

Ugh solicitors are the worst. Charge the world, will be on your case to sign paperwork etc but god forbid you chase them up !!

HoustonBess · 04/12/2018 13:02

I used to be a paralegal in a large-ish law firm. I was my clients' lawyer, just not qualified as a solicitor.
We were paid peanuts (£15k or so), horribly badly supervised (like 10 people overseen by one person with about 5 years' experience, three or four teams like this with a single solicitor watching over). We got given at least 40 cases, sometimes I was up to 80. So if everyone had that you could have 40 cases x 4 teams of 10 people = 1600 clients with one actual knowledgeable and qualified solicitor having any input.
It might be that your solicitor works on these lines as well. Pays to go for a slightly smaller firm and pay more, in my view. Don't assume it's just overpaid solicitors being lazy.

Original poster

Bedfordbelle · 04/12/2018 13:06

This is a smallish firm and I am dealing direct with an experienced solicitor - and paying for that experience too.

I'm really quite upset about it because I can't find out what's going on.

OP posts:

Blanchedupetitpois · 04/12/2018 13:09

I’m a solicitor and I’ll happily agree that they sound shit. I’d be making a complaint in your circumstances - a delay is bad enough, but actually causing you to miss a deadline is unacceptable.

Sunshinegirl82 · 04/12/2018 13:10

I'm also a solicitor and agree that it doesn't sound as though the service is up to scratch. I'd complain to the Partner who heads up the department and if no joy escalate to the managing partner.

FunnysInLaJardin · 04/12/2018 13:10

I'm a solicitor and I'm fab

Original poster

Bedfordbelle · 04/12/2018 14:29

I finally managed to speak to someone because I continued to chase them. The solicitor has done nothing and has no time to do anything. Their assistant is looking at it now. I have done the work. I just wanted expert legal advice. I am so disappointed. From what I gather it looks like the assistant hasn't even taken on board my precise instructions.

I arranged to finish work early and promised my DC we would go somewhere after school. Now I don't know whether to let them down so I can be available to look at what is being sent to me or just go ahead, meaning I will have no one to go back to later when the activity is finished and I have no opportunity to discuss with anyone before the deadline.

I feel so let down.

OP posts:

MorbidlyObese · 04/12/2018 14:39

This reply has been withdrawn

Message from MNHQ: This post has been withdrawn

Namechangeforthiscancershit · 04/12/2018 14:41

Another solicitor here and it does sound rubbish. My clients just call me on my mobile- no switchboard to put them off and I don’t miss deadlines because they wouldn’t instruct me again if I did. I’d definitely make a fuss if I were you.

Dontgiveamonkeys1350 · 04/12/2018 14:59

Our last one we used for this move was so slow and didn’t get back to anyone even other solicitors meant we nearly lost this house.

I’m never moving again ever. I can’t do that again. Was awful.

ShalomJackie · 04/12/2018 15:01

I was going to say there are not many firms that have switchboards anymore. Most decent firms the solicitors and other fee earners have direct dial numbers and mobile numbers.

Are you sure you told them you had an immovable deadline to which you had to adhere?

EmeraldVillage · 04/12/2018 15:06

I’m a solicitor. That is poor service and you should complain. You should have been given details of their complaints procedure when taken on as a client.

But you know solicitors are like everyone else. There are good ones and bad ones. High quality committed ones who move the earth for their clients for modest sums and others who are incompetent and don’t give a shit. As there are with accountants, nurses, police officers, civil servants and so on.

Original poster

Bedfordbelle · 04/12/2018 15:50

What I got back was the same document I sent with tiny formatting amends, completed by a legal secretary in half an hour. The formatting amends mean it's not now suitable for submission anyway.

The deadline is first thing tomorrow. I can send my own work but I have spent two weeks thinking I was going to have something which had been checked by a solicitor and it hasn't been. I have sent a slightly snotty email to the secretary but will pick it up properly. This is a solicitor I felt I could trust.

I absolutely cannot miss the deadline.

OP posts:

DoJo · 04/12/2018 18:24

Have you already paid?

I found the law society helpful when I had a solicitor who provided incorrect advice that happened to require significantly more legal intervention than the true state of affairs. They 'noted' my complaint, but because I had actually done my own research and realised that he was gouging me I didn't need any remedy as such. I found out from a friend who also had the misfortune of trusting him that they had made a similar complaint and he had been hauled over the coals because there was a pattern of such behaviour.

Original poster

Bedfordbelle · 04/12/2018 21:45

I haven't paid and probably won't. What's the going rate for half an hour of a legal secretary?! I was out with DC and then had to do some work so I haven't been able to think about next steps.

OP posts:

Zamolochikova · 04/12/2018 21:52

I'm a solicitor too and agree that the service you're getting doesn't sound A) good enough B) normal.

Also just want to add that I am eternally grateful to have amazing support staff and not to have a direct dial, I would never get a second to do any legal work if I was interrupted by every single call immediately. Most clients are reasonable and call with genuine questions, some are not reasonable and call to chat about nothing for 20 mins at a time I do always ring people back the same day though.

Zamolochikova · 04/12/2018 21:53

Also OP, review your client care letter (terms and conditions letter sent at the outset of your matter), check the complaints procedure and start it off. There's usually a specific partner to raise a written complaint with first off.

Good luck, I hope everything works out for you

DexyMidnight · 04/12/2018 22:11

Hey I'm a solicitor and if you were my client you'd have a 24 hr line to me (wish i was exaggerating... ) and my unfettered attention. I had a client call me on Christmas Day and i dealt with it, wasn't delighted of course but i did it smoothly and professionally. I'm not cheap though.

Your solicitors sound awful OP bit the sad reality is next time pay more and get better.

Flashingbeacon · 04/12/2018 22:14

I agree with you. Last house, a month from exchange had an appointment but pointed out I would be away until the day if exchange, far away, email only. I called 2 weeks before and they agreed I’d definitely signed everything and definitely submitted everything. A week before I left, I called spoke to actual solicitor and explained I’d be in a different time zone so even though I would get email it wouldn’t be timely. She charged me for the conversation because it was excessive. 2 days before exchange there it is, 1 line email, can I pop and sign a couple of things prior to completion. Long distance phonecall, certified copy, overnight fedex and it happened but she had no idea why I was so angry.

Osirus · 04/12/2018 23:06

I’m a legal assistant and my hourly rate is £75 plus VAT. I wouldn’t do the work of a solicitor though. I can draft letters and documents but these are all checked carefully before being sent to clients. I wouldn’t be happy with a legal assistant doing what you are paying your solicitor to do.

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