Can you sack a conveyancing solicitor?

[Rhubarbgarden]

Just that really. Wondered if anyone had started out a property sale with a solicitor, realised they were rubbish and started again with another one? I don't really know where I'd stand or if I'd be liable for full/part payment?

I started the process of selling my flat back in May, it's a very straightforward transaction, no searches etc as I'm selling to a family member, cash sale, and it should have gone through quickly. But my solicitor is doing bugger all and I'm sick of him not answering the phone/emails and when I do get through all he says is "oh sorry I'll send out that form (or whatever) straight away". Then doesn't. I might as well bang my head against a brick wall.

I work for one.

Yes you can sack them. Not often done but in this case I'd sack. Some clients can be very needy re phone/emails but he should keep you updated. However be aware they can and will charge you for work done so far up to that time. You haven't exchanged contracts or completed so god knows what your sol is doing.

since May is a LONG time. Is it a conveyancing shop? PM me if you want my boss' details, he is old school but very good.

oh and you'd be liable for part payment or work done up to whenever. Have you paid monies on account?

and you can report him to Law Society too. e.g. for not doing his job properly.

you get sols like this sometimes. they drive (if it's any comfort) their fellow sols up the wall by not communicating etc.

Yes you can sack him. First, send him an email listing everything he has failed to do. At the end of the email I'd then say that the lack of work is entirely unacceptable and that unless he rectifies all of the issues within the next 48 hours, you consider him to be in breach of the contract between you and will be dispensing with his services.

Since he won't fix it - you then find someone else. He may want payment for any work he has done - but you can force him to justify any invoice he sends (I'd seek a detailed accounting of his time - e.g. he says it took 30 mnutes to write a letter. So you ask for a copy of said letter and then ask him why it took so long to write a three line letter that is clearly pro-forma...)

This is all immensely helpful. Thank you very much indeed.

We were going to do this and when I rang up to complain I ended up talking to some head partner guy. He was brilliant, didn't really do conveyancing anymore but took over our file and sorted everything out properly straight away. So it is def worth pushing for.