Last Updated 11/06/09
Seeking
Help
Read "The "Guide to the Professional Conduct of Solicitors" (see Book List)
Preparations:
1. Prepare a file of all correspondence sent and received from your solicitors and notes of every telephone conversation and any other document pertaining to the case.
2. Place everything in date order possibly
in an Arch Lever file.
3. Write an Index, e.g. Date: Mr A to Firm Z. (Sometimes a Who's Who of people involved helps).
4. If you do not have copies of your own letters, write what you remember with an approximate date, do the same for telephone conversations showing the origin of the call.
Warning: Do not give original documents or your one-and-only copy of anything to a solicitor or anyone else. Make copies, possibly a duplicate file.
To make the best of a meeting, prepare a brief outline of your complaint and a list of questions you need answers to. Do not mention names.
A. The LAW SOCIETY regulates the conduct of solicitors and their recommendations are in a booklet that should be available from each solicitor.
(See also Conditional Fees and Arbitration in Useful Information.)
The Law Society recommends that, after the first interview with a solicitor, a client should receive written confirmation defining the following:
The advice you have been given and that the solicitor has agreed to take on the work.
The name of the person in the firm who will be dealing with your case.
The time the business is likely to take.
The arrangements for progress reports.
An estimate of your costs and the agreed spending limits.
Who you need to contact at the firm if you have a complaint about your solicitor's service.
The lack of such letter or any deviation from these terms may be a cause for complaint.
NB. Check the status of the fee earner - solicitor, qualified Legal Executive or a clerk. Clerks and "legal executives" (small case letters) work under supervision.
B.The LOCAL LAW SOCIETY, if your town has one - address in telephone directory. Consultation with solicitor is free and minor problems can sometimes be sorted out.
C. The CITZENS ADVICE BUREAU (CAB) can give you advice and also organise a meeting with a solicitor, free of charge. Look in your local directory for their address. They have updated information.
D.The OFFICE FOR THE SUPERVISION OF SOLICITORS One help-line: Tel: 0845 608 6565 will give you just short answers and can be used to request the booklet and the forms to make a complaint.
The other, Tel: 0845 601 1682, can be used to ask for assistance in how to make the complaint. Be prepared for long telephone queues. Ask for name of person speaking to you.
Calls are charged at local call rates.
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11/06/09