What is a 'file handler'

[r3dh3d]

I am probably going to have a few questions. Sorry. Am trying to break them up a bit.

If your law firm send you an initial letter, telling you your 'file handler' will be in contact ... who do they mean? What is a file handler? Is it the solicitor in charge of your case? Is it someone more junior who has your file on their desk and escalates as and when necessary? Is it always the same named person for your file, or is it subject to change? And when do you get them allocated?

Ty!

A file handler is a term used to describe the person who is carrying out work on your claim.

Usually it will be somebody in the law firm's offices. They may have some legal qualification but probably not on the Roll as a Solicitor.

I assume it's a personal injury or similar type of claim?

In the law firms that handle high volume low value cases the cases tend to be managed by 'paralegals' - basically admin staff who may have a law degree but may not, a team of them are usually supervised by a qualified solicitor.

The 'file handler' will be the paralegal/caseworker who has been allocated your file - it should be the same person who continues to work on the case however it often isn't for a number of reasons - there may be different teams that handle different stages of the case so when it moves to the next stage you get someone different, also there is usually a high staff turnover so you may well end up with a few 'file handlers'.

It's a very process driven system for these types of claims although some firms are better than others.

File handler is a generic term for the person with day to day conduct of your matter, who will be your first point of conduct and doing most of the work.

They are not necessarily a qualified lawyer, although they may be.

I have seen plenty of engagement letters that say something like

"Your file handler is Sarah Smith, she is a solicitor, she will be assisted from time to time by paralegals"

Or

"Your file handler is Steve Smith, he is a Chartered Legal Executive"

But equally it can be a term used to make it less obvious that your matter is being dealt with by an unqualified paralegal.

You can check if someone is a solicitor by searching the SRA website and legal executives are listed on the CILEX website.

Thank you!

I had an initial letter from them saying wait for the file handler to get in touch. They did not get in touch. So after 2 months I called and asked who our file handler was. They did not think this was a reasonable question.

It is a reasonable question and you have a right to know not only who the file handler is, but also their supervisor and team leader details. Every change of handler should result in you being advised by letter. You should have also received an initial engagement letter setting out their complaints procedure. Who are you using? Are you Claimant or Defendant?

So after 2 months I called and asked who our file handler was. They did not think this was a reasonable question.

I would think about changing solicitors! No contact for two months when it was promised and then refusing to tell you who is dealing with your case... doesn't auger well does it?

Housing disrepair claim solistors to year's on and 4 file handlers who never tell me they changed handlers I'm emailing evidence. When 4 months on get a call another handler who ask the same questions ask for evidence I've given the first three. Not any where near courts as the next one is looking over new papers saying same thing as last, it going to court? It's hard I have learning difference and Austim I don't know where I stand of what to do to get out of this.