Can I say I have a solicitor (even if I don't)

[rhino12345]

I am in a minor dispute with someone over a relatively small amount of money (£75). I was initially prepared to 'let it go' but they have been so extremely rude and unnecessarily difficult about it that I refuse to let it go now!!

I have told them that I will be in touch about further steps, but can I say "I have sent this over to my solicitor today" even if I don't have a solicitor?

I obviously wouldn't pretend to be a solicitor!! But my friend has told me lying about having a solicitor is illegal (I can't find evidence of this online, but she is usually reliable with these things)

Alternatively, is there another smart way I can get my money?

Perhaps she is confusing it with purporting to be a solicitor. There's nothing illegal about saying you have a solicitor.

Many solicitors offer short, free consultations, so you do actually have a solicitors if you want one.
You may find your employer or a club membership offer legal advice too. Even if it's not related. My DD got some advice through British Horse Society for example, and I think DH's union do something similar

Your friend is talking nonsense. And you need to tell her you are now applying to the small claims court to retrieve your money - www.gov.uk/make-court-claim-for-money

That should stop this nonsense.

No one in their right mind would see a solicitor over £75, so if I read that I’d think you were trying it on. Just say what you will do next - ie small claims, don’t lie about something so obviously untrue.

I imagine this person will probably think you're an idiot for referring a £75 matter to a solicitor.

What will you do when they reply "Fine"?

If someone said that to me I would assume they were lying. Last time I hired a solicitor it was £250 per hour, so there's no way anyone would do it over a matter of £75.

There’s nothing illegal about it but this person may well know that it would cost you more than £75 to consult a solicitor

you’d be better threatening or actually going to the small claims court.

I agree with other posters. If I received a letter from you claiming you had consulted a solicitor over a £75 debt, I would assume you were lying. If you did go to court, it would be a small claim which means you would not be able to recover any legal fees from them. You would therefore end up out of pocket.

If you believe you have a case, it would be more sensible to send a letter before action, setting out your case, stating how much they owe you and how it was calculated, enclosing copies of any documents you would rely on if it went to court, listing any documents you want them to disclose, giving them 28 days to pay and saying that you expect to start legal action without further notice if they don't pay by the deadline.

This^^ sorry

Would any solicitor actually do anything over £75?

That said I don't think it's illegal, it just comes off as untrue

You can say you've got one, but then you'll need to get one if things go further. I guess the threat of one could be enough.
But yeah, you don't need to have a lawyer on a retainer or even know which one you'll use yet to claim you use a solicitor. But if they want their details you'll need to actually employ one.

Agree with others, the best threat is small
claims court. Solicitor wouldn’t be worth it so is clearly a lie

Its not illegal to say you have a solicitor. But it would be more believable to say you'll take her to 'small claims court' to get your money.
Also if you're with a union you can get free legal advice as they have solicitors.

You will look absolutely ridiculous and weak if you start talking about a solicitor over £75. Much better to say nothing and plot your revenge instead. What actually happened? I am sure we can all come up with a much more interesting and rewarding revenge than talking about solicitors.

I don't think it's illegal but you would just look silly and it wouldn't help. You could say I will be taking some advice if you really wanted to. There are better ways forward than this eg before action re small claims, dispute on your credit it debit card if you paid with these or seeing if any ombudsman or regulator can help. You could also check you don't have access to legal advice on things like any employee assistance scheme or home insurance. It really depends what it is though

This has just reminded me of the time that somebody - in absolute seriousness - told me that they were going to "take me on Judge Rinder".

I guess his backlog is as long as the ones in the real courts as I've yet to receive my summons😅