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Original poster

My solicitor has sent my confidential Address to my abusive ex

78 replies

Boonlark · 25/08/2021 13:41

I'm mentally spiralling. She emailed the form asking for my address to be kept confidential from my ex...to my ex. It was in a pdf that had all the other court forms in, and she didn't notice before she sent it.

What do I do now?

This is my own home that I just bought, so it's not like I can move to a new address.

OP posts:
SeasonFinale · 25/08/2021 13:44

First off complain to whoever is in your initial letter as the person to make complaints to. Ask if they have reported themselves for breach of data protection and ask them what they think they should be doing now that they have placed you in danger.

tanstaafl · 25/08/2021 13:47

The form asking if you wanted to keep this address secret included the address itself?

Which idiot designed that form.

FleasInMyKnees · 25/08/2021 13:48

That's awful. Get back to her boss and complain and like pp said ask what security measures they are now putting in place to keep you safe. Is ex likely to come to the house.

WeatherwaxLives · 25/08/2021 13:48

Fucking hell, that's awful. I've no real advice OP but didn't want to read and run. Flowers

How much danger do you think you're in? If it's potentially imminent danger of physical harm can you stay elsewhere for a bit? With family or friends? Although I suppose that may be no better if your ex knows where they live. Perhaps call the police for advice if you think that's necessary? I think they can put a marker on so if they get even a silent call from your number they send someone ASAP. I vaguely recall a friend having that, and also a panic button.

Original poster
Boonlark · 25/08/2021 14:00

He's not living in the same town. I think he's most likely to just enjoy knowing it, but he might get people he knows to keep an eye on me, or come past the house when he's in town etc as he can't risk getting a criminal record due to his job. But I don't know for sure.

I've asked for a senior partner to ring me

OP posts:
mstroutpout · 25/08/2021 14:02

Oh I really feel for you. Something very similar happened to me. I don't have any answers but feel your pain

DelphiniumBlue · 25/08/2021 14:15

That was a mistake but committed by someone inexperienced in these matters. Mistakes happen, but for something as important as that, there should be procedures and checks in place so that it can't happen. Like not putting the address on documents, not sending emails out without double checking they are going to the right address. For example, the email address is the last thing I would put in an email, so that it can't accidentally be sent before it has been checked.You'll need to be asking what checks were in place to make sure this doesn't happen, and tell them in writing that they need to be notifying their insurers. It's potentially a huge deal, and if I were you I would be thinking about moving. Possibly funded by the solicitors insurance.

I used to do divorce work, and I can remember having battles with the court, with other solicitors and our own barristers about not putting confidential addresses on documents even when asked to do so. I think people who have not lived with an abusive ex don't quite appreciate the effects of disclosing addresses. If an Ex comes round to threaten you, it's not them who have to deal with it, or who risk getting injured. An experienced solicitor will understand this and take steps to make sure these things are disclosed on a need to know basis only, for precisely this reason.

beigebrownblue · 25/08/2021 14:21

This happened to me a few years back with Cafcass.

The secretary in charge of my case put the letters in the wrong envelopes and immediately my ex had my address.

I complained to CAFCASS. It took a while and it was difficult but in the end to resolve the complaint they asked my ex to sign a legal undertaking and agreement to say that he would never visit my address.

To some extent the resolution worked as it gave me piece of mind.

I'm not sure how that works with a solicitor, but I would take it to the highest level.

My understanding is, you complain initially to the solicitor. There is a time frame for a response. If it is not satisfactory you can take it to the Ombudsman.

Sorry you have experienced this. It happens.

Pebbledashery · 25/08/2021 19:36

This is my worst nightmare. My daughter and I fled domestic abuse and live in a confidential address now, managed to keep it confidential for over a year.. We're approaching section 7 time now.. Absolutely terrified something like this will happen.

ElizaDoolots · 25/08/2021 19:58

Oh my goodness, what a terrible careless mistake. As others have said this is a data breach and as such the solicitors have an obligation to report themselves to the SRA (solicitors regulatory authority). If, once you have made a formal complaint, you aren’t happy with the way that they are handling it, the SRA would be your best port of call to escalate it. You should be aware though that this could result in the solicitor in question being sanctioned or struck off.

It’s a real tough one though, because it’s hard to see how they can realistically remedy this. They can apologise but they can’t undo what’s been done. Perhaps some financial compensation could be agreed to support you with a move if that’s what you feel you need to do.

beigebrownblue · 25/08/2021 20:15

@Pebbledashery

This is my worst nightmare. My daughter and I fled domestic abuse and live in a confidential address now, managed to keep it confidential for over a year.. We're approaching section 7 time now.. Absolutely terrified something like this will happen.
sorry you are terrified. I was also. Looking back this was absolutely horrifying for me, but I dealt with it at the time.

Support on here.

beigebrownblue · 25/08/2021 20:18

And I get it with section 7.

Original poster
Boonlark · 25/08/2021 20:23

So what happened is that they put him as the applicant for the financial papers. I went with a consent order as I couldn't face the idea of court. So when they tried to file, they couldn't. And they needed to let him have the paperwork to send himself.

And the solicitor (not someone inexperienced) sent him the pdf of all the papers, including the submission to the court to withold my address from him, which had my new address on. I only f I und out because she forwarded on the email shed sent him, to me, to prove she'd contacted him.

They did ring me back, but it wasn't a senior partner, it seemed to be the receptionist from another branch. They told me I had to raise it with the solicitor...which I already had done. I sent another email to her, copying in the receptionist, and including screenshots.

I don't know what to do next.

OP posts:
Original poster
Boonlark · 25/08/2021 20:24

Sorry about all the typos, I'm not doing so well

OP posts:
Treesinthewind · 25/08/2021 20:31

Have you got a domestic violence advisor who can support you?
And is there anyone who you can have come round now to help you stay calm. Try having some sweet tea to calm your nerves.
I remember how shaken I was when my son's school posted a video featuring him on the school Facebook when it was a safeguarding risk and I had specifically told them not to. Look after yourself xx

FleasInMyKnees · 25/08/2021 20:34

You insist on speaking to the senior partner and the SRA. Is it a large company.

Quickchangeartiste · 25/08/2021 20:41

Find out who the senior or managing partner is, and complain in writing / email to that person. Tell them what you want to happen - apology definitely, but as pp suggested , a written undertaking by ex to not visit or cause others to visit your home.
If that is not forthcoming, complain to the Ombudsman. The Law Society can give you details, pro forma complaints etc.
And if you feel in any way threatened, please talk to your local police to leaks them aware.they may be able to advise.

Original poster
Boonlark · 25/08/2021 20:42

@FleasInMyKnees

You insist on speaking to the senior partner and the SRA. Is it a large company.
. I don't know how large it is, it has at least three branches. What is the SRA?
OP posts:
Unsubscribed · 25/08/2021 20:43

Serious DP breach putting family at risk. Aren't there strict timescales for them to report themselves to relevant body ?I'm really surprised they are taking this so lightly.
Really feeling for you right now OP Flowers

Original poster
Boonlark · 25/08/2021 20:45

@Treesinthewind

Have you got a domestic violence advisor who can support you? And is there anyone who you can have come round now to help you stay calm. Try having some sweet tea to calm your nerves. I remember how shaken I was when my son's school posted a video featuring him on the school Facebook when it was a safeguarding risk and I had specifically told them not to. Look after yourself xx
I haven't got a DV support worker, but might be able to contact someone.

I spent some time with others eating chocolate this afternoon, which helped ke my mind busy. It's just being at home on my own now that is hard this evening

OP posts:
frazzledasarock · 25/08/2021 20:46

SRA is the solicitors regulation authority.

I’d complain to everyone.

OP are you safe? Do you need to get help or alert anyone of this and any potential of harm to you?

Pebbledashery · 25/08/2021 20:46

Solicitors Regulation Authority. Google them. You need to lodge a formal complaint against the firm.. You'll likely have to change solicitors who let they're under investigation. So sorry this has happened to you.

eurochick · 25/08/2021 20:47

Your client care letter should have details of who to speak to if you want to complain.

Original poster
Boonlark · 25/08/2021 20:47

I think I'm safe right now. I hope so. I think he's more likely to do low key harassment than anything overt. He has a nice guy image to keep up

OP posts:
chickychicchic · 25/08/2021 20:47

If you have trouble getting hold of someone look up the names of people on LinkedIn who work for that company so you can find out who you need to speak to. I have used this tactic before and it works. Gets people's attention,
If you are majorly concern r then it's worth alerting your local police station so they can have you on their alert list?