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Original poster

Solicitor letter

10 replies

MyBoysAndI · 14/04/2018 12:52

Asking for a friend.

Her ex husbands solicitor is not responding to letter/emails etc.

Is there a set time that they should be responded too?

OP posts:
ReinettePompadour · 14/04/2018 12:56

Is your friend writing to the ex husbands solicitor herself? They wont respond to her only her solicitor.

Factor in annual leave over Easter and the usual response times of around a month and it could be 6-8 weeks before they respond.

Lonecatwithkitten · 14/04/2018 13:00

If your friend has no solicitor then she will get a direct response. My solicitor dealt direct with my ExH as he choose to have no representation. But it would take at least 7-10 days if ExH emailed or wrote as there would be some back and forwards via email or even phone conversation for the solicitor to consult with me as to the reply before it was typed and sent.

Original poster
MyBoysAndI · 14/04/2018 13:05

She has a solicitor representing her. This has been going on for months.

Her solicitor is now going to court to force a response.

She was just wondering if there was a legal requirement for a response as she is concerned as to what will happen in court.

OP posts:
ReinettePompadour · 14/04/2018 13:38

Has she been given the correct solicitors thats representing her ex? If your friends solicitor is corresponding with the wrong solicitors then they may not respond but it may not occur to anyone to tell you.
It would be a case of 'I don't have mr Bloggs as my client, pass it to Jo and see if they do. Jo doesn't have Mr Bloggs as their client so passes it to Bob, Bob doesn't have Mr Bloggs......ad infinitum.

Anoying I know but a possibility especially in the case where its a large firm with dozens of Solicitors covering matrimonial law.

Arcadia · 14/04/2018 13:41

Is this children law or financial?

Arcadia · 14/04/2018 13:42

If you give a bit more info I may be able to help as I am a family lawyer.

Arcadia · 14/04/2018 13:43

But there are no set times.

minimalpatience · 14/04/2018 13:57

No legal requirement re deadline for a response unless there are court directions setting out deadlines in an order.

Could be a number of reasons for not replying: (1) solicitor hasn't got round to it due to workload; (2) solicitor without instructions despite chasing client (in this situation it's good practice to send a holding letter. In bad situations I will say I simply don't have instructions; (3) your ex or his sols may have terminated the retainer in which case solicitor is in limbo until your ex signs a notice of change and files it at court confirming the They're no longer instructed; (4) they've not been paid in which case they may have "put pens down".

(NB I'm not a family solicitor)

MrsBertBibby · 14/04/2018 15:02

Minimal is about right.

At a guess I'd say rushed off their feet and trying to take some time off for the school holidays. I know that's the hole I'm in.

Original poster
MyBoysAndI · 14/04/2018 17:05

Many thanks everyone.

This divorce has been going on for several years as he has constantly delayed matters and changed solicitors etc. He has previously lied about his financial worth. Such a huge mess.

Children are adults.

My friend is just concerned with what the court can actually do if her ex is just not replying.

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