This board exists primarily for the use of Black Mumsnetters. Others are welcome to post but please be respectful.
This board exists primarily for the use of Black Mumsnetters. Others are welcome to post but please be respectful.
Black Mumsnetters
Any lawyers on here? I need your thoughts please
Sugarintheplum · 24/05/2021 10:42
So,
I had a neighbour dispute and had to get a lawyer to help me out. I found one through google search. I read some of his internet published articles on boundary disputes etc, called him up, chatted, thought he could help the matter.
White man, early 50s. At some point early on in our dealings he also revealed t me he had a mixed race son when he showed me a picture of his son and girlfriend (black woman). I was pregnant at the time. It seemed a bit like 'I have black family you know!' but it was done under the guise of 'oh pregnancy, family, let me show you mine'. Ho hum.
Anyway, he has NOT done a good job for me at all. I have many complaints, but on elf them is that in an email to me he was once wrote that these problems with neighbours are the be expected in areas such as mine (I paraphrase because I don't want an internet search to bring up his actual words). I was taken aback, I asked he what he meant and he did not respond.
So, in complaining to his firm, I raised this issue. His firm responded to this part of the complaint with a quote from him. In this quote he says he upholds equality and inclusiveness in his life and gives the following examples:
- son is MR
- fiancee is East Asian
- mother was Dutch
- Parents were working class
- he lives in Dulwich
- diversity among friends
I'M INCENSED!
I need to take this further. Do you have any advice on my next step? This is definite WTFF territory for me. I won't be able to let this go. I know it. Please help me. I thought about getting in touch with a black lawyers association for a response that would give mine more weight and also because I am not calm at all right now. Also here because so many of you are kick arse.
I need to breathe now. I can't believe I paid this solicitor thousands already. I don't want to give him another penny.
Sugarintheplum · 24/05/2021 10:45
Sorry, for context my area is heavily black African populated. Gentrified now, but underneath it still has the community vibe if you care to engage in it.
Nbnbnb · 24/05/2021 22:30
he was once wrote that these problems with neighbours are the be expected in areas such as mine
It sounds like he is deflecting. It does not matter if he has a relative on every continent 
, he has shown himself to hold certain views about people who live in your area, or rather, views about black people who live in your area (presumably, also you!).
If I were you, I would make contact again, asking him to explain what he meant about the above comment, and how he came to the conclusion he did. Pose it as a question, rather than factual: " What made you say....." What did you mean by...".
And if he comes back with more deflection, simply say that the answer he has given you is not in line with the question you have asked. The trouble is, he's hardly going to admit the connotations behind what he has said.
He knows he's messed up, hence bringing his multicultural family into the mix (yawn).
It's the classic: "I'm not racist because..".
Hope you get it resolved.
BIWI · 26/05/2021 14:28
Contact Jerry Garvey at the Law Society . He's the membership development executive for the Law Society's Diversity & Inclusion team.
BIWI · 26/05/2021 14:32
(Sorry - that was a rather brusque post!)
Sounds like your solicitor is shit as well as racist.
I used to work with Jerry when I was 16 - he and I were both Saturday staff at Safeway!
oprahwindfuryy · 31/05/2021 22:25
“ these problems with neighbours are the be expected in areas such as mine” without you saying what the problems are, it’s difficult to judge, as locality is a deciding factor in many dispute and nuisance claims.
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