Warning - do not use wolstenholmes solicitors

homelessmat

moongate wrote: »

the SRA have been in all day today loading all the files into lorrys. Not sure what company they are going to, but at least you should all get your files back or money returned. will keep you updated if i get any further news.

Curiously the Legal Complaints Service have just told me that there has been no intervention and were unsure as to where I'd got my information from but told me categorically that there had been no intervention as yet (although he said that it could change over the next few days if the SRA panel deemed it necessary).
The advice given was basically to write in (which I've done), seek independent legal advice with respect to my claims (which I've done) and then to sit tight as I've done everything I can do. Seems that nothing is going to happen before Jan 4th and he seemed doubtful that chasing WH in the New Year was going to achieve a great deal.

keiran

All these recent posts just confirm how crappily !!!! are the SRA and LCS. I understand their regulator, too (the "legal ombudsman" - a Zahida mansoor is also a pile of !!!!

Simply_Me_2

I have just spoken to the Legal Complaints Service (0845 608 6565) Wolstenholmes LLP were intervened on 24 & 27 December for suspected dishonesty and breach of the solicitors account rules.

The appointed agents are DWF solicitors and the solicitor dealing with this is Mr Kieran Walshe 0161 603 5000.

The Wolstenholmes' accounts were frozen on 23 December 2009 (too late for me as my money went in on 17 December). It is early days yet and they weren't able to tell me much other than they will be writing to everyone affected early next week with a claim form and more information as to what will happen next.

His advice to me was to instrcut new solcitors I suspect that I will wait until I get my money back as he was not able to tell me how long that may take due to the enormity of what they are dealing with having recovered the last lot of files yesterday.

He was not able to tell me whether there was any money left in the client account we can only pray that there is money there to pay us all who is owed.

homelessmat

homelessmat wrote: »

Curiously the Legal Complaints Service have just told me that there has been no intervention and were unsure as to where I'd got my information from but told me categorically that there had been no intervention as yet (although he said that it could change over the next few days if the SRA panel deemed it necessary).
The advice given was basically to write in (which I've done), seek independent legal advice with respect to my claims (which I've done) and then to sit tight as I've done everything I can do. Seems that nothing is going to happen before Jan 4th and he seemed doubtful that chasing WH in the New Year was going to achieve a great deal.

I've just had an email from LCS saying that there has been an intervention.

sloughflint

moongate wrote: »

My husband has spoken to them (he is actually a solicitor), he reported them and has repeatedly chased them for 9 months. so they came into his office the other day to speak to him and today the lorrys arrived. No sign of Wolstenholmes staff.

Good on your husband. Shame it had to take 9 months of chasing though.

cidermat

Hi

I'm at journalist at BBC Manchester and looking into this case.

If you're trying to get money back and willing to have a chat, then plse contact me at [EMAIL="mat.trewern@bbc.co.uk"]mat.trewern@bbc.co.uk[/EMAIL]

Thanks

Mat

Simply_Me_2

I think complaints should be made against all the solicitors caught up in this "scam", if for nothing else because they failed in their duty to notify. So who ever was your solicitor or held themselves out to be a solicitor should be reported to the Legal Complaints Service (LCS) and the Solcitors Regulation Authority (SRA). These people cannot be permitted to get away with what has inflicted so much pain and misery on thousands.

opinions4u

cidermat wrote: »

Hi

I'm at journalist at BBC Manchester and looking into this case.

If you're trying to get money back and willing to have a chat, then plse contact me at [EMAIL="mat.trewern@bbc.co.uk"]mat.trewern@bbc.co.uk[/EMAIL]

Thanks

Mat

Mat, there's a Facebook group with a handful of members that may be of benefit to you and other people.

Simply_Me_2

opinions4u wrote: »

Mat, there's a Facebook group with a handful of members that may be of benefit to you and other people.

Hi ya, are you able to provide anymore information with regards to the group as I am not a member of Facebook and I am unable to join for personal reasons.

opinions4u

Simply_Me wrote: »

Hi ya, are you able to provide anymore information with regards to the group as I am not a member of Facebook and I am unable to join for personal reasons.

It's a handful of people airing their grievances. Nothing significantly different to this thread. I was really highlighting to the BBC man.