Any Solicitors or Legal Secretaries that can answer a question for me please

xxdeebeexx

Hi I have just 'got' a couple of witness statements from 2 children (14 yrs old) who saw an accident happen. I have sent copies of these to my solicitor who has typed them up and returned them to me so that I can get the boys to sign them. However, I am really concerened that there are several spelling mistakes on the typed copies. Key peoples names have been spelt wrong (ie double L ,instead of single L ) and someone called Stephen has, on the same page, been called Stephen and Steven!
I pointed this out to the Solicitor who says that it really doesn't matter and to get them signed anyway.

Am I being fussy? Does it matter? Or is it simply the content that's important as the solicitor said?


Also he has included a solicitors letter to the boys parents thanking them for their help and support. Do I HAVE to give this to the parents as it seems to make the statement a 'big' issue.


TIA

Dx

Silverbird

I used to work as a Legal Secretary.

I would be concerned about the spelling mistakes. This is a legal document that may well end up in Court. I think I would personally send it back highlighting the mistakes and advise that they will be signed when they're correct and you're happy with them. Nothing should be signed that you're not happy with. There is quite a rush to get a Witness Statement all done and dusted right at the start of particular cases, because in some circumstances they can't go any further forward without one. The spellings aren't terribly important at this stage, but as I say this document may well end up in Court and for that reason I'd personally want it totally accurate.

I've never heard of a 'thank you' letter to somebody for doing a witness statement, but I can't see how it would hurt. Some people refuse to give statements, so I guess it's just a way of saying thank you, as witness statements are absolutely vital to litigation cases.

Pee

The spelling mistakes are just that. Spoelling mistakes. Do they change the meaning? Are there two characters involved one called Stephen and one called Steven and might anyone reading think that they could be. No.

If it is in any way misleading or confusing, then that does need to be altered.

Does it look untidy and unprofessional? Yes.

You don't have to hand over the thank you letter.

sloughflint

I presume this solicitor isn't doing this for free? You are a paying client who is not happy with the level of service.

I too would be uncomfortable asking anyone to sign a document littered with mistakes.

Once the mistakes were pointed out s/he should have apologised and arranged for a new copy to be sent to you.

( I am not a solicitor or legal secretary- just someone who expects standards from 'professionals')

dieselhead

I am not a solicitor, however, although I don't think the spelling is crucial I think that it is terrible that you have been given legal documents that have mistakes, you are paying and they should be correct, I really don't think that it would take long for the documents to be corrected.

Re the letters I would hand them over as if anything as not only is it nice to say thankyou formally, but also if anything it marks it out as a favour over something that they had to do!

xxdeebeexx

Thanks... I decided to contact the solicitor when I realised that one of the witnesses had their name spelt wrong too. The solicitor was absolutely fine, appologised and said that I could go and collect the corrected documents when ever I liked.

Easy!! I think it's my age (53) that is making me over anxious. I am agonising over every little thing at the moment.

All sorted now,

Thanks

Dx

localhero

Pee wrote: »

The spelling mistakes are just that. Spoelling mistakes.

Solicitors charge a lot of money, and so I think it's reasonable to expect decent standards of grammar and spelling from them.

Documents that are brought before a judge that look like they've been put together by an eight year old, have the tendency to be met with a dim view and so for that reason I would request that they are rectified.

Pee, with such a cavalier attitude towards spelling (or spoelling if you must ), I sincerely hope you are not involved with drawing up Wills, as spelling mistakes (particularly with names) is a negligence claim waiting to happen. :eek:

sloughflint

xxdeebeexx wrote: »

Thanks... I decided to contact the solicitor when I realised that one of the witnesses had their name spelt wrong too. The solicitor was absolutely fine, appologised and said that I could go and collect the corrected documents when ever I liked.

Glad s/he changed his/her tune.
Times must be hard though not to be able to stretch to a second stamp.;)

Janepig

I don't see the problem myself with having them corrected - after all they're doubtless saved on computer and would take the secretary a matter of minutes to correct and re-print. I'm (just about ) old enough to remember the days of typewriters and carbon paper and correcting mistakes then was a nightmare!

Jxx

Pee

With a Will I can't see the spelling of a name resulting in a negligence suit... although it would raise questions as to the capacity of the person making the Will if they had not noticed that on the draft, I agree.

snowmaid

As the boys are underage, wouldn't the parents have to give some kind of permission for them to sign a legal document? Not sure, just asking.