Aggressive Land Law solicitor sought

[Dinnerplatedahlia]

Does anyone know of a property lawyer who is red hot about covenants and stands no nonsense? We are being pulverised by our affluent neighbours’ solicitor and our solicitor is no match. She sadly dropped the ball during the conveyance process and it has only just come to light. She doesn’t want to go there but unfortunately we’ve got no choice. Any recommendations would be appreciated. Thanks

Most will tell you to go back to conveyancing solicitor to sort it out. Why won't she go there?
Can you check your home legal insurance? They might be able to help find a solicitor if you have legal insurance cover?

We used Rupert Jackson of Brabners in Liverpool, not a conveyancing solicitor but he was smart, lateral thinking and dug us out of a legal property issue.

He was also happy to talk through our predicament first so he could give us ideas on strategy and costs.

Thank you Nextdoor and stayathome for your replies. Our solicitor knows that she missed this covenant so is hoping we’ll just forget about it. We wish we could but we can’t. She’s a very nice person but not a match for what she’ll come up against. It’s a long story but we’re in the hole and it’s like waking up in a nightmare. Thanks for the name stayathome. I’ll look at their website. I want a Rottweiler.

What area are you in?

Britton and Time in Brighton are superb. Sophie is who you want, if Paul Britton is too expensive

Midlands

Thank you. I will check out all of the recommendations.

Are you in breach of the covenant?

Not the point of the thread really but like countrycob I'm interested in more detail .
It may be pointless using a Rottweiler if you're in the wrong .

Not at the moment but if we don’t sort the issue out it could endanger lives. We weren’t aware of the covenant and do not have that sort of money, hundreds of thousands.

Sounds to me as though you need to complain to the conveyancing solicitor first, then raise to SRA if not satisfied.

https://www.lawsociety.org.uk/public/for-public-visitors/using-a-solicitor/complain-about-a-solicitor

https://www.sra.org.uk/consumers/problems/report-solicitor/

I would love nothing more than to write the whole sorry episode on here. However, it would read like a novel, also, it’s a very unique set of circumstances that would be instantly recognisable to a particular community. We are very law abiding, fair people, if we are wrong, we would take our medicine. We can’t seem to get past the starting point because our solicitor appears intimidated and we feel we need an independent opinion. That is why I’m looking for recommendations.

Ah @Dinnerplatedahlia I expect specific detail would be identifying but now you've really intrigued me.
Give us a hint ,similar situation ?
Although I know it's not an obligation for posters seeking advice to also provide entertainment/nterest.

You will also need a professional negligence solicitor for your original conveyancer I'm afraid, they will sort this out

cross posted ,fair enough .Wishing you luck and that you get it sorted.

Thank you. I’m inclined to agree. I so want to avoid this as she is a very nice person but I think it’s time for ‘No more Mr Nice Guy’.

Thank you.

Thank you I think we’re in for the long haul 😔

It might also be worth seeing if you can negotiate a compromise with the neighbour or adjust plans to avoid trouble with the covenant. If its a covenant in their interests no amount of aggressive lawyering will make them shift. In order to negotiate it is essential to see things from their side. Best of luck it sounds stressful X

Then what you need is a litigation solicitor to sue your negligent conveyancer who missed the covenant which is going to cost you thousands. However nice she is if she has been negligent then you need to claim against her.

I think you'll find she doesn't want to sort it not because she's "too nice" but because she knows she fucked up and it's going to cost her so she's hoping you'll go away and sort it without her, and she can't argue the case with their solicitor because they've told her clearly she's fucked up and it's going to cost her .

You know that if she’s loused up then you’re going to end up suing her right?

Thats why she wants it to go away.

You pay the conveyancer to protect you from this crap and she didn’t. So it’s her PI that’s on the line here.

Look at Legal 500 and/ or Chambers and Partners for a Tier 1 practitioner in your area. It does sound like you’ll need a professional negligence solicitor and, depending on the resolution, s/he may need help from a property litigation colleague so pick someone from a firm that’s big enough to have both departments. I’d be looking for eg Mills and Reeve/ Eversheds level firm.

Thank you all for your answers. It’s so helpful. Sadly these people (NDN) are aggressive and lied on the form they filled out prior to sale. There’s certainly no negotiation with these people. I agree with you all that this is in the realms of professional negligence. We’ve asked for a 2nd opinion within the same firm; it’s gone very quiet. We are starting to research alternative firms, far away so unlikely to be friends. I’d love to write the story out, it would make a good film and would hopefully act as a very stark warning for anyone about to purchase a property. Thanks again 🙏🏼

If your NDN lied on the form when they sold could they not be sued for Misrepresentation?