Solicitor messing up my case - should I change

[Janeismymiddlename84]

Already posted on divorce but was advised to also post here.

Did anyone change solicitor late in the game? My solicitor is truly terrible and causing me more hassle than good.
Heading quickly towards FH and have no faith in her whatsoever.
Not fighting my corner and letting my exH get away with everything. She speaks down to me and makes me feel so uneasy.
Sh's f*cked up on numerous occasions now and I am at my wits end to say the least.

You don't trust them so yes, it is time to change.

@AutumnFroglets Thank you. No trust or faith in her. This is crucial for her to work in my favour and she ain't.

Is it standard practice for a solicitor to show me correspondence sent and received from other party? Something she absolutely refuses to do.

Yes it is, you are entitled to see this. Where are you located?

She absolutely refuses point blank to give me this information. Actually gets really ratty about it. Said I have no need to see it and that it would be too much hassle for her to send. She then proceeded to tell me last month it would be an added cost to send this information.

I'm in Northern Ireland

@familylawyer01392 thanks for confirming this. I thought so too going by information online.

Based on that she is either totally incompetent or a friend of your Ex. Get rid immediately. Find another solicitor and have a chat with them about what has happened with regards to your divorce and how they can move it forward. If you don't like their answer then find another. Your future is too important to hand over to someone who is ratty, secretative and disorganised.

Out of interest has she given you a phone call or email listing that information in bullet points or just "I'm the expert, don't question me"?

That's absolutely shocking 😮

Complain about her!! You absolutely have the right to see all correspondence with the other side. It should be routine for her to forward it to you and take your instructions on it. In fact, I have never heard of any solicitor withholding it.

@AutumnFroglets I had requested in March that our correspondence be done via email as she made a massive blip in forgetting to send me my afavidit. It was to be sent my end of November and wasn't sent to March. Despite my chasing it. She repeatedly told me she sent it and then realised during a phonecall she hasn't. So I told her I needed a paper trail as this was not good enough. Over that time it has progressed back to some phonecalls where she is so dismissive and talks to me like a piece of shit.

@XelaM she told me I had no need to see this. After asking again last month and her refusing, I rang secretary to arrange for it to be sent to me so I can see actually what is happening. Solicitor rang me and devoured me and told me I had no right asking for this

This is crazy! Use the firm's complaints procedure to officially complain about her and report her to the regulator. And of course sack her!!!

@XelaM I am worried now though that no one will take me on at such a late stage.

There has been more incidents too where she has been unsupportive and dismissive.

I wouldn't continue paying a solicitor who isn't on my side and whom I don't trust. Call around other solicitors tomorrow. Hearings can be adjourned

When is your final hearing?

Definitely instruct a new solicitor, she isn't acting in your best interests at all!

Once you instruct a new solicitor, your new solicitor will receive all paperwork and correspondence in connection to your case and they will be able to send it to you, as she is holding out on you. You are entitled to see all correspondence, save for any internal emails (i.e. between colleagues). I am a solicitor and if my client asked to see my correspondence with the other side I would have to divulge it to them. Sounds to me like she has made numerous mistakes so is trying to cover her arse. You should speak to her line manager or the complaints partner of the firm (its usually easy to find on the firm's website), and notify the Solicitors Regulation Authority so they can investigate any misconduct.

Wishing you the best of luck!