[Icedgem]

I'm not sure this is the right place but worth a shot...

I have a solicitor working on my behalf to try and sort out issues with the father of my child. Basically he doesn't see my child and it's damaging and I wanted things put in place to get structure in her life as he constantly lets her down. Nothing can be done. I've send numerous letters which he's ignored as at the end of the day I can't MAKE him see her and just have to accept this. I've come to accept this.

I've been trying to speak on the phone to my solicitor to see what we can do next (if anything) and just never get a call back. I've sent emails asking why I haven't been called and requesting contact from my solicitor.
All their replies are the same stating they have no record of me trying to contact them and want £500 for their recent services.
Each email they send I ask the same question.. why has no one called me and please can someone call me. Again, a similar response that I have £500 outstanding.

Most recently now they have replied to my last email asking for someone to call me saying they will instruct their debt recovery in 7 days if I don't pay.

What can I do? How can I complain about the poor service my solicitor is giving? I said I'm not happy and asked how I can take this further again my questions were ignored, they said they have no record of me trying to contact them and I have to pay.

What do I do now?

[pegasus]

A lot of lawyers/solicitors require upfront payment even before starting a case. Was that explained to you when they took your case on? I think that might be why they won't even answer your calls until you make some sort of payment. I would just pay the amount and go find a different solicitor. Sorry you've been treated this way.

[Icedgem]

Originally Posted by pegasus

A lot of lawyers/solicitors require upfront payment even before starting a case. Was that explained to you when they took your case on? I think that might be why they won't even answer your calls until you make some sort of payment. I would just pay the amount and go find a different solicitor. Sorry you've been treated this way.

Thanks for your reply.

I've been using them for quite a while and have always kept up-to-date with any payments due. I find it baffling that they are being this way all of a sudden?

[pegasus]

I'm wondering if you could go to some sort of ombudsman about this or citizens advice service about it. I don't know enough about how you would go about it, maybe someone else here does or do some research on the internet. If it's got as far as debt collection though it might not work.

[Sunflower123]

Can you set up a face to face meeting with somebody in the office? You could even let them know you will make payment at the meeting or once your questions are answered. Are there any organizations where you live where you could lodge a complaint? Good luck.

[kitties]

Originally Posted by Jennifer 1967

Can you set up a face to face meeting with somebody in the office? You could even let them know you will make payment at the meeting or once your questions are answered. Are there any organizations where you live where you could lodge a complaint? Good luck.

I agree with this advice. I’m a retired attorney and I’m in the USA...the legal systems differ...but this is about professional conduct.

Please note this is NOT legal advice, but I felt compelled to respond because I’ve been on both sides of the fence.

I would show up at his office. If he’s not there, schedule a meeting. Ideally, face-to-face but a scheduled phone call could work. I’d literally go to the office or at least call EVERY day until you get results.

I was getting divorced and it was very high-conflict and it wasn’t going to be a quick process. I got some references and hired an attorney. This woman was practically impossible to get a hold of....until it was court time for my case.

She had too large of a caseload, IMO, and her support staff was very poor. And she was in court every day. I got the name of her assistant and called her, too. I wasn’t rude, but it was IMPORTANT and she .... well, needed to make herself reasonably available. Long story short, she got an excellent result for my case, but I’d never recommend her.

Here in the USA, we have what’s called a Bar association where clients can file complaints against their attorney. It’s a big deal to have a Bar case. The Bar can discipline all the way to permanently banning the attorney from practicing law ever again.

If there is an organization like the Bar ... I would personally not do it until you terminate the solicitor. Please note this is NOT legal advice. I hope things work out. Camping out at my attorney’s office was irritating but she finally made herself available. I wasn’t going away, lol.