Client confidentiality

[Youhadmeathello1]

I have been attending the solicitors with my elderly mother whilst she re-drafts her Will. Got home this evening and the solicitors have sent her a covering letter enclosing her draft will - the problem being it is not hers! They have sent her the draft Will of another client! We are going in tomorrow morning to let them know what they have done but not sure where we stand. Has this other client had my mums will? We feel that this is a wholly inappropriate breach of client confidentiality but not sure if we are over-reacting/bu to be annnoyed. Understand mistakes happen but it’s really upset my mum. What should we say? Any advice please (also posted in legal)

No, you aren’t overreacting.
It’s a serious breach and their Compliance Officer should be informed at minimum.

Not an overreaction, I am sure they will be mortified - clearly there is a process which needs some serious scrutiny there. It could be classed as a data breach so they will take it very seriously indeed I would expect (internally, if not outwardly to avoid accepting any kind of liability on the spot)

Thank you, all sorted. Hugely apologetic and have given mum a discount.

I see you got it addressed OP. But yes, that is serious.

Im a lawyer and we have to report to the compliance officer even if a typo is made in an email address, and it is bounced back!

And for “first” emails sent, we always check the secretary has used the correct address before or goes, and all letters and enclosures are printed to be checked too. So theoretically there should always be two people checking anything before it goes out.