LGO and blardy solicitor

[appropriatelyemployed]

Blardy, blardy solicitor. Partner - leading firm.

She has been dealing with my LGO case which I have bored you with before. She got the help of a charity to write in support too.

I assumed then she wouldn't charge - silly me. That was another £700 added to the bill.

After the 3rd provisional view, I instructed her just to take over the final response.

That was 3 weeks ago.

The deadline is Friday.

I chased yesterday and got a response saying she is too busy. She won't be able to respond in time and there is no one else that can do it. And even if I ask for more time, they are all too busy.

I feel gutted. I was prepared to throw one last sum of money at this just to get someone else to do it for me as it is so stressful after all this time.

I raised specific questions of the LGO and they have responded but I sent it to my solicitor as I knew it would make me too mad/stressed/depressed.

Now it is coming right back at me.

Sorry - I just can't believe I've got to pick up the reins for this at such short notice.

Does anyone feels strong and sane enough to read through some doubtless batty LGO responses to some questions!!!

Oh God! I'd love to help but just been given a surprise of my own this afternoon that needs responding to by Fri. It's actually pretty good news for us but obviously has to be done right.

Damn it. Any other time and I'd be right there although my legal abilities aren't great, I like to think I have some analytical skills. Is the charity or the others that have helped before able to help now?

Can't believe the solicitor both charged and dropped you in it, although of course this exactly why there is no accountability. Damn damn damn!!!

Can stupid solicitor suggest someone?

Still can't believe she charged

You know who she is too. She is always late. Always charges. I basically write stuff for her too.

But you get so far down the line that changing to someone else will cost loads.

I am going to ask for an extension and have said she should write to them and say she dropped me in it or they will think I
Pissing them about

Cheeky, cheeky .

This solicitor now emails to say she was out the day I sent stuff (2 weeks ago!!) and so that justifies her not responding.

She also says it is unacceptable for me to ask her to take on something so complex so late in the day.

Seriously, what an outrage. She has been involved in this from day one. She was already writing a letter. I simply asked her to deal as well with the responses the LGO had filed to some questions I had asked.

I have consistently had to get extensions to file things because she doesn't respond. I actually thought she was helping out pro bono with the last one as she involved a charity but ended up with a bill for hundreds of pounds. She never gives costs estimates., Ignores emails. Never responds to deadlines.

And it is my fault she can't now help me. She thinks she's going to be paid too. What for???? She's always dumped me in it.

God no wonder LAs get out off scot free. We are simply pumping money at these people and they don't give a shit.

Well I'm sure she's not short of business but lots of people do ask me for recommendations and I'll strike her off (along with a number of other well known bods, for similar reasons).

I'm running out though.

God I am so tempted sometimes to re-train!

Perhaps I should start off doing some IPSEA volunteer work.

Aaah AE

It's bad enough being messed about normally, but it's just rubbish when your own profession drops you in it.

Would she let one of her paralegals or trainees take up the reins?

Know nothing abt the law, but am really, really good at reports and complaints... and need distraction from our own issues tonight so you're welcome to PM me to have a brief common sense look-through or to get something proofread (let me know if you want my email)

Thanks Maria.

Am so sorry to hear this AE.

Can't believe the reason she gave you for not responding! Problem is that so many people either have such respect because these people are 'professionals' and so blindly trust them to know best or just cannot solve the problem themselves - mystification of the law and all that.

Sorry but have a couple of things that have to be dealt with very urgently so can't help.

Somewhere there should be a list of professionals all of us had trouble with so that we don't end up recommending them.

Do you need to retain though AE? Doesn't the way thinks are progressing bring SEN law closer to what you know?

Who are these people that choose SEN? Why are they no good?

Myglad, I know this solicitor. She is one of the best and most ethical. God help us all!

Refuse to pay the bill if you have't signed a client care letter or had estimates then refuse and complain and the firm will have to do a deal as they have to comply with practice rules on costs. They will always reduce the bill rather than risk a formal complaint if they don't have the paperwork to back it up

You know what, every time she has delivered a bill I have to do the same thing. She has always been late in responding or pulled out of something at the last minute and then landed me with a huge bill.

She seems to imply I make these points to get out of paying her.

I was always taught you charge for the value you add. Anyone, can sit reading papers for hours. You instruct a solicitor because they do this and add value by advising, responding or negotiating etc

Maybe years of watching LA employees rubs off!?

Well I just think if you work in an area of legal practice where no one is ever likely to sue you as everyone else they are dealing with are so crap - iit rubs off.

Tbh, I think she's probably just massively overloaded, and has little admin support or professional status. Most probably she's the minimum-income-generating poor relation of the partnership. Unlikely she gets her full study leave, holiday etc. She'll be used to providing the usual rubbish legal aid service, where the hours paid for aren't enough to do the job, but at least the bill is settled without quibbling.

The best model for SEN casework wd be a partnership of lawyer, slt, ed psych, OT, applied clinical/behavioural psychologist. With some good physio, paediatrician, social worker, specialist teacher availability. And loads of secretaries, paralegals and office juniors. one paralegal to keyworker each family.

Mmmm, no this is a BIG national, leading practice with speciality in this area of law.

AE as you know I am not a lawyer but happy to look through your LGO stuff and make comments to see if any will help. Am about to instruct an SEN lawyer, hope I dont choose yours she sounds like a nightmare!

Okay AE, my deadline extended might also be able to look though too during one or two prolonged nighttime breastfeeds.

I'm so cross on your behalf.

Star my dear - you have enough on your plate!!!!

You mean to tell me that you have to pay a solicitor who hasnt followed through and done what was required?

Good grief! Its bad enough battling everything else let alone have a solicitor nigh on just as useless. I am sorry to see this as you have enough stresses.

I am no legal eagle but if you just want a spare head to toss/mull ideas over then by all means give me a shout :)

Hi
I can help if you would like. I have a son (aged 4) who is likely asd - argued and got a statement sorted for him. I am a Solicitor (not specialising in SEN) but am happy to give you any help I can.
Let me know.