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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask you to help me settle a debate

32 replies

StrawberryCrunch · 13/08/2019 15:36

Maybe a bit of an odd one but...

Would you think it's okay to walk into a solicitors office and expect to see a solicitor there and then?

I think this is ridiculous and that you should make appointments if you want to discuss something of a legal nature with a solicitor and my friend thinks it's perfectly fine and no one would understand to do otherwise.

I don't think I'd ever just walk into something like a solicitors office, accountants office etc... And expect to be seen without at least calling ahead.

Friend says it's not like a GP because everyone knows you have to make an appointment there so unless it's specifically pointed out, most people will think it's fine to do so.

OP posts:
Original poster
StrawberryCrunch · 13/08/2019 15:36

By the way should point out that this is sort of light hearted, it's not a blazing row but I am interested in what others think Grin

OP posts:
Youmadorwhat · 13/08/2019 15:36

😂😂😂😂yes it’s ridiculous you need to make an appointment!!

InOtterNews · 13/08/2019 15:37

I'd make an appointment.

Ninkaninus · 13/08/2019 15:39

Of course I’d expect to make an appointment!

TixieLix · 13/08/2019 15:41

Solicitors don't sit there all day twiddling their thumbs in the hope someone will pop in on the off chance. They're usually busy people and you have to make an appointment, just as you would with an accountant, a bank manager, a dentist or a hairdresser.

Wishihad · 13/08/2019 15:41

Of course you need to make an appointment.

I know no solicitors that holds and open door, wander in when you like policy.

IAskTooManyQuestions · 13/08/2019 15:42

I'd wander in and make an apointment !

Original poster
StrawberryCrunch · 13/08/2019 15:42

THANK YOU.

For full disclosure this came about because it's my job and I was moaning that people always 'pop' into the office wanting a 'quick chat' etc... And then get rather irritated if I'm not free that very second to see them.

I said you wouldn't just turn up at your GP and expect to be seen, you'd call first and make an appointment!

Apparently it's nothing alike.

OP posts:
AnastasiaVonBeaverhausen · 13/08/2019 15:45

The only time I've ever been seen by a solicitor at the time I "popped" in was to get some ID validated and he happened to be free. I'd gone in with the intention of making an appointment. Frankly, if my solicitor was free to see me every time I rocked up, unless they were on an exclusive retainer, I'd be worried they were a bit shit as they had nothing else to do!

Igotmylipstickon · 13/08/2019 15:51

I used to work for a solicitor. Somebody called to the door at lunchtime without an appointment to get a form witnessed. When I told him my boss wouldn't be able to see him then (I knew he was up to his tonsils in work), the man ranted and raved at me and even called me a racist. Yep please make an appointment!!

Original poster
StrawberryCrunch · 13/08/2019 15:52

It's either this or people emailing saying 'im coming by the office tomorrow at 9:30 for a chat'.

Usually sent at 8pm the night before so the first I know about this 'appointment' which someone has decided I'm free for, is when I step foot in the office!

OP posts:
dollydaydream114 · 13/08/2019 15:54

Yes, you'd need to make an appointment. They're not just sitting there waiting for clients!

The only time you would expect to get immediate access to a solicitor would be when you call a 24-hr on-call criminal lawyer from your cell at the police station because you've been arrested. Maybe the people who think you can see a solicitor whenever you want have only had that experience...

bridgetreilly · 13/08/2019 15:55

I would expect to make an appointment, but I would also expect there to be a strict receptionist who dealt with all the 'just popping in for a chat' people.

Roussette · 13/08/2019 15:56

OP, your friend must be a huge Corrie fan. Everyone walks into that solicitors office and expects attention!

whothedaddy · 13/08/2019 16:01

I can't think of a single service I wouldn't call up to make an appointment for. You wouldn't do it at a hairdressers, an accountant, a Doctor, A massage therapist, a personal trainer etc etc.

Your friend is a moron

Toooldtocareanymore · 13/08/2019 16:05

I find-- working in a similar type professional services industry , those that pop in when passing for a chart to get "quick advice" , don't expect to be billed for my time ,yet those are the ones who expect me to drop everything for them, and are annoyed when I cant provide instant answers, as I wasn't prepared, so I have to do more work and follow up for them, their perception (as I have perceived it) is that when they make appointments they are paying for your time, if they are passing by its free, so we find the just passing crowd, once they get their first bill are less inclined to do so again, though they will ring and grumble about not expecting a bill as they only popped in for x or y.

That said I often need a signature attested or documents witnessed for that i'll sometimes pop into a firm near by who know us, to see if anyone is available if I was passing, but usually call and am usually told no need to call, just drop over with forms.

Notmyrealname855 · 13/08/2019 16:05

Loooooool of course you need to make an appointment! How are solicitors supposed to schedule their workload otherwise? Just constantly have random folk wandering off the street to ask questions, could take 5 mins could take 50?!

Tell your friend an appointment would be needed :)

Ginger1982 · 13/08/2019 16:05

I was a solicitor too. I hated being put on the spot and would always tell the receptionist to make people appointments if they walked in (usually at lunchtime!) I worked with a more senior lawyer at the time who took the view that he would see anyone anytime as it could potentially make money. I can see his point of view but it was bloody annoying!

FudgeBrownie2019 · 13/08/2019 16:08

It's exactly like the GP and if you don't make an appointment you can't expect to see someone. Basic courtesy.

yesteaandawineplease · 13/08/2019 16:16

😂 op are you me posting in my sleep? I've moved jobs to a rural area and everyone pops in. drives me mad. if im busy I've started sending people away to come back at a more convenient time.

FleurNancy · 13/08/2019 16:19

I used to be a solicitor and it pissed me right off when clients did that. I would usually not see them and then reception would make an appointment. The lowest point was when I was stopped by a client in the supermarket at 9pm asking for an update. Er, no, fuck off!!

Sallyseagull · 13/08/2019 16:36

I definitely wouldn't expect to see one right away.

Original poster
StrawberryCrunch · 13/08/2019 16:38

I must admit I have started to say 'that's fine but unfortunately due to prior appointments, I won't be free until (enter time over 1.5 hours away), if they want to wait'

Typically they don't wait and make an appointment instead!

OP posts:
serenoa · 13/08/2019 16:53

Always make an appointment; being organised is the most effective use of a solicitor's time. Seeing people wandering in off the street is a total waste of expensive time. Solicitors like others in professional practice have a minimum number of billable hours to work just to cover overheads before they even start to show a profit.

If its a solicitors' firm new to you you have to make an appointment because they have to ID you (photo ID and proof of address), deal with money laundering stuff, and probably, take some money off you (in three figures) as a deposit on account of fees; so they know you're acting in good faith.

CalamityJune · 13/08/2019 16:55

Absolutely not. I would always make an appontment.

Lots of parents expect to see teachers with no notice as well.

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