Solicitor has marriage cert - I need it

[tbtc20]

Long story short.

Solicitor 1 has my original marriage cert.

I changed solicitor and now solicitor 2 needs cert.

It was requested 4 weeks ago. He has been chased up a couple of times by me (it costs if I ask solicitor 2 to do it).

Today he has finally send me final invoice and statement saying he'll send docs to solicitor 2 once it's paid. I just paid by electronic transfer.

Solicitor 2 needs to cert by the 29th. I am anxious that he won't send it (as you see he has form), that he will claim it takes 3 days for it to be in their account, then it's Xmas...etc etc etc.

My question is this; does he have any right to hold my cert regardless of whether I've settled the account or not? Can I go on on Monday and demand he gives it back? If necessary I can show that the bill has been deducted from my account.

Thanks

I would turn up... Show the details of payment and wait for it.

Go around with proof of payment and demand it.
Good luck!

Can't one usually order an official copy of one's marriage certificate on-line? I have done that. It might not work where you are, though.

Thank you.
Yes, I know I can order one online but I don't think it will arrive before I need it. If I'd known he was going to take 4 weeks I would have done so.

I know he can't keep it now I've paid, but I am wondering whether he has may right to keep it even if I haven't paid?

What if he insists that they have to see the money in his account before releasing? Can he do that? It's MY document, not something he's worked on.

This is the question I asked in my OP in fact, that's all I want to know.

Sorry for being snippy.

Update.

Phoned solicitor 1 today, got my docs, took 'em round to solicitor 2.

Bosh!