Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Legal matters

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you have any legal concerns we suggest you consult a solicitor.

Solicitor not following their own process

6 replies

SparkleUK · 27/01/2020 13:03

Hi,

I've posted before about how one solicitor is dealing with my house sale (with ex) and also a purchase (with partner). I have two separate emails where I informed the solicitors that my ex was not to know my new address and I also wrote it on all of the initial paperwork they wanted completing.

After dealing with me and sending original paperwork to me, they then, sent all of our purchase paperwork, full address, deeds etc to my ex's parents house where he is along with the sale paperwork which I consider a breach of my instruction and personal data. I've since been able to find out that the sale paperwork has a cover letter addressed to myself and him to his parents house but the purchase paperwork has a cover letter addressed to myself and partner at this address so someone has made a mistake and put them in one envelope.

I tried to work with our named conveyancer to resolve it but no apology and she turned very defensive, nigh on unprofessional but none of the points were relevant to my purchase address so I sent them copies of all emails and a formal complaint letter which they received over a week ago (recorded).

Their customer charter paperwork provided to us states in the case of a complaint, they will send out an acknowledgement letter within 3 working days and they then have 21 days to resolve the complaint and let you know. I have still yet to receive any acknowledgement of complaint so surely this then gives them free rein to drag it out longer as there is no date to go 21 days from? I've tried subsequent follow up emails (as want everything in writing) but they're now completely ignoring me.

So, after all that (!) is there anything I can do if they're not following their own complaints procedure? Thanks for reading and any advice

OP posts:
Collaborate · 27/01/2020 13:36

Tell them you intend to now take it up with the Legal Ombusdman. See how quick they respond. Send it to the senior partner.

I suggest you set your stopwatch.

PegasusReturns · 27/01/2020 13:39

Can also make a data breach complaint to ICO.

That along with collaborates suggestion will get them moving.

Barbarella1 · 27/01/2020 13:45

That’s awful.

Cohle · 27/01/2020 13:50

The legal ombudsman require you to give a solicitor 8 weeks to respond to a complaint.

If you haven't done so already I suggest sending your complaint via registered post, so you have proof of receipt. After that you should absolutely take it to the Ombudsman.

There is lots of useful info on their website.
www.legalombudsman.org.uk/portfolio-category/fact-sheets/

SparkleUK · 27/01/2020 13:56

Thanks for suggestions already all.

@cohle Thank you, yes, it was sent off registered so I've got the date and time it was received as well as the surname of the person who signed for it which I've informed them of. Also reminded them of their own complaints process stating they will send out an acknowledgement of the complaint within 3 days which is well over now and still have not received and they are ignoring any contact, despair!

OP posts:
Skysblue · 27/01/2020 17:30

They know they’ve definitely been negligent and you have a claim in negligence against them if you suffer loss as a result. They may have notified their insurers and feel limited in what they can now say to you.

As to how to proceed what others have said re senior partner, ICO, ombudsman, also is the SRA still a thing, if so maybe them too

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread