saw a useless solicitor for an hour. she told me i cant get legal aid etc, and basically left me in tears, about a month ago. now she wants me to pay her £75 for that time

[stitch]

is this right?

unless it was one of those one's that gives you half an hour for free? maybe she did, i don't know what their rates are.

what is your sitch, sitch?

unless she gave you a client care letter setting out fees, terms and conditions before seeing you, and you agreed to it, then I think she's try it on.

she says she made it clear to me it would be a one off fee. tbh, she may have dones o, but only at the end, at which point i was trying very hard to not cry in front of her.
was trying to get a divorce from 'd'h. domestic violence issues etc.
since then, seen someone else, and i am perfectly within the limits of legal aid. although, the fact that he has since not cancelled the mortgage dd may affect the income support so not sure what to do about that. iyswim. at the time, i had no idea he wouldnt cancel everything including his car i use to buy groceries.
it just seems so wrong and shameful to ask for payment for this, when the way she was going on at me was making it clear she didnt want to take on my case.

All solicitors should be registered with the bar. If she didn't provide a professional service you could contact them or tell her that is the way you are going to go because you're unhappy with the service you received.

I would write back to her and state that as she gave you incorrect information as you are entitled to legal aid & are now receiving it that she wasted an hour of her time you will not be paying. See what she says in response

do you mean the law society ANT?

yes. do that.

sorry she wasted an hour of YOUR time so you will not be paying.

Deffo contact the Law Soc, and let her know that you have.

Sorry you feel you had such bad advice Stitch.
Was she a specialist family lawyer/member of Resolution and did she have a legal aid franchise (unfortunately not many firms still have them now)
It should have been made clear to you at the start (when you made the appointment) whether a charge would be involved and if so, what it would be. If this was not the case, then you may have a case to argue it. Also, if you made it clear that you wanted to find out about legal aid and that firm didn't have a public funding (legal aid) franchise that should have been made clear.
There are still a few firms around that offer a free one off interview and some that do a discounted rate which may be what you are being charged as to be honest, £75 is very cheap for an hours advice. I used to charge £150 an hour 3 years ago (yes I know that is disgustingly expensive and no, I didn't take home anywhere near that amount ph) but that was in rural Surrey where everything was so expensive. Sorry you've had such a bad experience though.

I hope you manage to find a good family lawyer with a public funding franchise who can help you through this difficult time.

thank you eveyrone for your advice
i have actually found an excellent one now. but am actually now going down the mediation route, as less expensive. and tbh, i'd rather just pay the £75 than have all the hassle. but i think i may need to change that sort of thinking as far far less money in the pot, than there used to be. and income support still havent made a decision yet.
i just needed the mumsnet perspective. divorce is such a difficult time, because just when ou are makingthe most improtant decison s of yourlife, you are so not near your best. or evenanywhere approaching it.

No advice but you take acre of yourself Stitch. keep a diary of absolutrely everything. You may need it. I'm in court on Tues for my financial hearing after a year of crap. My diary has provided dates and proof. been invaluable. Sitting with it right now preparing facts for the chronology (ex only got his Form E in on fri pm!!!!!!!!! And it's fictitious! ) so I'm appreciating the advice i got back in march 2008.

Keep your chin up mate and good luck!!! You will get through it. get angry and get fighting!!