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SOLICITOR NEVER RETURNS CALLS!

12 replies

HellyBelly · 22/02/2006 18:03

Don't know what to do really. Dh was dismissed from job on Xmas Eve as some of you know and he's had a solicitor working the case for him. As the letter was dated 22nd Dec, he has until 22nd March to take this to court (as you have to do within 3 months).

Whilst solicitor does investigative work, he was told to write to old employer asking for copy of personnel file within 14 days. They sent a letter a week later saying it would be sent in due course - stalling obviously (he was only there 4 months so it's not going to be a big file!). Anyway, their 14 days was up a week or 2 ago so he did a follow up letter and solicitor was supposed to check and edit it - this was on Thursday!

Dh has phoned and phoned but solicitor never returns calls. We're really worried as we now have 4 weeks for this whole case to go to court and we have no idea what's going on??? When dh called solicitor today, they said they'd take a message and he basically told the lady that he's extremely worried as never gets called back and she said he'd get a call this afternoon. Guess what..........NO CALL!!

Where do we stand on this? Our legal cover is paying this solicitor £2500 to investigate this case and we have no idea where we're at?? This man gets £120 an hour - for what??!! What happens if we miss the 3 months getting it to court due to solicitor messing us about??

Sorry it's so long but getting worried!

Even more annoying thing is we've been living off credit card etc. and although dh called jobcentre on 4th Jan (for claiming job seekers allowance), we've STILL not had a penny from them!!

OP posts:
KBear · 22/02/2006 18:06

Call again, remind them politely that he works for YOU and demand a call TODAY or you will instruct other solicitors and report them to the Law Society.

Hulababy · 22/02/2006 18:09

This is not on and should not be the case, even if he is busy.

I think that you need to phone again and complain again. Follow this up with a letter to the solicitor and CC the senior partner.

HellyBelly · 22/02/2006 18:11

Thanks guys! Wanted something offical to mention so will get dh to mention law society! Thanks for this.

So annoying!

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Hulababy · 22/02/2006 18:13

I would contact the firm's senior partner rather than The Law Society TBH. It is more likely to get sorted more quickly, rather than going through the paperwork.

KBear · 22/02/2006 18:14

but mentioning it will make them realise you aren't someone who will be fobbed off. Agree with writing to complain if they don't call tomorrow.

mummytosteven · 22/02/2006 18:14

Agree with Hula. Ask the firm for a copy of their complaints procedure (all firms should have them, and hopefully just the request will make the solicitor realise he should get his backside into gear!).

Hulababy · 22/02/2006 18:15

The solicitors will also know though that The Law Society only gets involved if it really has to, and would recommend contacting the senior partner in the first instance anyway.

HellyBelly · 22/02/2006 18:19

Thanks for the advice - fingers crossed for tomorrow then

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Freckle · 22/02/2006 18:25

You should have received a letter when you first instructed this solicitor which set out hourly rates, standards of care, who would be dealing with your case, etc. It should also contain details of what to do if you have a complaint and to whom to address your letter. Have a look at that and follow it to the letter. I'd hand deliver the letter and ask for a receipt.

HellyBelly · 22/02/2006 18:32

Good idea - will get him to check that!

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louli · 22/02/2006 19:07

We had a problem like this when we were buting our house so I just went to the solicitors office and told the receptionist I would stay there untill he came to see me since he wasn't returning our calls. It worked. we also wrote to the senior partner and said we would complain to the Law society and he was like a changed man.

HellyBelly · 23/02/2006 19:17

Update:

He put pressure on and finally spoke to him today. Turns out we have 3 months to let the ex employer know we're taking action and then have a further 3 months to take it to court. Dh got all the info he needed but basically gave him an ear bashing over the worry it's caused us because we were told 3 months to take to court which was making us panic!

Anyway, fingers crossed this all gets sorted soon!

Thanks everyone

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