Where do I go from here

[katscamel]

This time last year (give or take a month) I instructed and paid a solicitor to sort out the paperwork for my divorce. A relatively simple case as no property or children but complicated by ex being an overseas citizen living overseas who I have had no contact with since asking for his address to send paperwork to (several years ago, followed up last year with no reply). We have been living apart for the last 10 years.
So, why the AIBU? Since initiating the process I have heard nothing from the solicitor asking for an update despite several emails. I believe she has been promoted so my case is probably pretty insignificant but surely it should have been passed on to a colleague if this is the case.
Any idea how to proceed from here?

Telephone the office.

Instruct a new firm of solicitors

Follow their online complaints process. If they don't respond, contact the Legal Ombudsman.

Just a quick update, after the 6th email I finally received a reply saying that they had applied to the courts for 'Notice of Action' and were waiting to hear back but would get secretary to chase up.
Surely this is something they should have informed me of last year.
I definitely think they've sidelined me and need to escalate the complaint.
Grrrrrr does make me very angry.

Sounds like they did nothing at all to chase that, fair enough to complain.

You need to keep chasing unfortunately. They'll always relegate people who don't chase to the bottom of the pile. Be a nuisance. Call weekly to see how it's going, keep on at them.

Having worked for a solicitor who moved on to a another company, the firm I worked for brought in a locum solicitor to fill in, until they could recruit someone else. He was absolutely HOPELESS!! Had no idea what was going on, and only dealt with post as it came in, never bothering to go through the files, until someone phoned up to complain. This was a conveyancing solicitor, so you can imagine the hassle I got as his P.A., when people were getting desperate for a purchase to go through before their mortgage offer went out of date. It was an absolute nightmare. So I totally agree with others, chase on a weekly basis, and if they start avoiding you, or don't get back to you, then ask to speak to one of the 'Partners', and make a complaint.