Warning - do not use wolstenholmes solicitors

shocked_solicitor

distresses wrote: »

We have been trying to get our file from Stirling Law since the 22nd December.
Have given up now and starting all over again with a local solicitor. Have also tried DWF to see if they had the file but no response to my email as yet!!

Please see my post above - re DWF please be patient with them as it takes a huge amount of time to contact all the clients they have files for. Files with impending completions will take priority over other files. An intervention is a massive thing to deal with by they will be working closely with the SRA to ensure that you are all protected as much as can be - I know the process as I have been an agent for the SRA (formerly all under the Law Society).

FraudBuster

2. RS was made bankrupt for £1.1 million in June 2009 at the Oldham County Court - this is on public records and is also on the SRA website as he now has a restriction on his practicing certificate - he is not allowed to run a firm. Look him up on the SRA site!!

From The Insolvency Service:

Surname SCHOFIELD Forename(s) ROBERT ANDREW Title MR Occupation Business, public service professionals Date of Birth 08 July 1963 Last Known Address Oaklands House
Oaklands Road
Grasscroft
Oldham
OL4 4HN

Insolvency Case Details

Case NameROBERT ANDREW SCHOFIELDCourtOldham County Court Type BankruptcyNumber 0000459Case Year 2009Order Date16 June 2009StatusCurrently Bankrupt : Automatic Discharge will be 16 June 2010 See FootNoteCase DescriptionROBERT ANDREW SCHOFIELD, A Solicitor of Oaklands House, Oaklands Road, Grasscroft, Oldham OL4 4HN and lately a company director.

Oh, what a tangled web we weave,
When first we practise to deceive!
Walter Scott.

shocked_solicitor

distresses wrote: »

Hi

I was told that my file had been transferred from Birmingham to Heald Green - no luck there trying to get it even thought we were prepared to go in for it. Then advised it had gone to Stirling Law. Despite numerous calls to them they have never got back to me and could not actually confirm that they had my file. They just said they had lists of what they were supposed to have, promised to check the list and get back to me but never did. Even if I was on their list I doubt that they would have been able to find the file. After visiting Heald Green office to try and get our deposit back you could see what chaos they worked in - files and paper everywhere!!!!

This is an alternative number for Stirling Law, I was given this during one of my telephone calls - not sure if it will help - 0161-785-7847.

try 0161 785 7845 that has voice mail on it - RS HMs former partner no less!! Good luck

LSelby

Well I am now going to go with a local (ish) recommendation. I now don't care who has my file cos I am starting from scratch (though prob had nothing done to mine anyway!). If Sterling Law has my file and they want to work on it then that is down to them. I have not asked them to do so, so therefore will not pay for something I have not asked for.

Good luck everyone. Get your steel toe cap kicking boots on.

Horrified_Solicitor

I'm a solicitor and I've been reading this thread with a sense of horror and anger. It seems clear to me there's a pattern here of setting up law firms and trawling the internet for victims. The fact that the same names, addresses and techniques are involved confirms the position.

I hope that any solicitors involved are struck off. What I cannot understand is how they have been able to get away with it for so long. My firm has to jump through hoops continuously just to survive in an honest and modest way. Just getting insurance each year involves a huge amount of effort. It beggars belief that these firms have been allowed to exist at all given that the same people are involved in so much dishonest dealing.

shocked_solicitor

Horrified_Solicitor wrote: »

I'm a solicitor and I've been reading this thread with a sense of horror and anger. It seems clear to me there's a pattern here of setting up law firms and trawling the internet for victims. The fact that the same names, addresses and techniques are involved confirms the position.

I hope that any solicitors involved are struck off. What I cannot understand is how they have been able to get away with it for so long. My firm has to jump through hoops continuously just to survive in an honest and modest way. Just getting insurance each year involves a huge amount of effort. It beggars belief that these firms have been allowed to exist at all given that the same people are involved in so much dishonest dealing.

here here!!! as a fellow professional I cannot agree more

anxious_24

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:


Also, a search on the 161 624 5777 number gives Ramsdens Firth and Whitehead solicitors rather than a Stirling law [/QUOTE]

hi hope dont mind you said hubby a solicitor stirling got my deposit from sale of house (we moved so chain didnt collapse) we have told them to release our money they say doin it today and checked with estate agents have contacted them for invoice etc.. but they have sent us email to instruct them as solicitor ,we were at final stage of completing with purchase till wolstenholmes kept mortgage money . Dont know whivh way would be best to instruct then un instruct them as soon as got money or what they say ALL files will be requested by sra relating from wolstenholmes if not instructed otherwise but i dont want it to be stuck with sra indefinately i wanted to get my money back as if still going ahead with purchase through them (a larger figure) then instruct the solicitor my buyer had to finish my purchase coz he was good. wanting best way to get file incase was nearly finished but safe its been to close for comfort and still twitching til money in bank keep insisting everything ok and will be in defo today or tomorrow depending how quick they got email off estate agent ,they was sending earlier today we phoned and check everything anybody says now, also told them they were sending it straight through so they could sort it today!!!

Conrad

As ever the choking grip of regulation only seems to impact honest traders, the crooks are always ahead of the curve. In mortgage broking we have people being fined and shut down only for them to rise from the ashes in the guise of a firm set up by a family member.

When legislation is passed, it seems little thought is given over to how the crooked fringe will slip and slide thier way around the system.

Catwoman8950

shocked_solicitor wrote: »

Please see my post above - re DWF please be patient with them as it takes a huge amount of time to contact all the clients they have files for. Files with impending completions will take priority over other files. An intervention is a massive thing to deal with by they will be working closely with the SRA to ensure that you are all protected as much as can be - I know the process as I have been an agent for the SRA (formerly all under the Law Society).

OK, but what will happen if DWF have not got my file? Unlike the other posters on this forum, Wolsteholmes acted for me in a probate matter. I have been reliably informed that my file which contains some very important documents may have "disappeared" before the SRA intervention took place.

Librachick

shocked_solicitor wrote: »

ok I am a solicitor and I have spoken to the Solicitor Regulation Authority (SRA) today. The official solicitors acting in the intervention of this firm is DWF LLP tele. 0161 603 5000. Contact name Mr Walshe. I would advise that you do not instruct any of the firms that are mentioned on this site to do your work due to the various links that have been made. These are as follows:-
1. Helen Murgatroyd (HM) one of the suspended solicitors from Wolstenholmes (W) was a member of Chartbridge Law LLP (C) until it went a while back. She was in business with a man called Schofield (RS).
2. RS was made bankrupt for £1.1 million in June 2009 at the Oldham County Court - this is on public records and is also on the SRA website as he now has a restriction on his practicing certificate - he is not allowed to run a firm. Look him up on the SRA site!!
3. C traded from Greengate Business Centre, Greengate Oldham OL4 1FN until it went into administration
4. RS is listed on the Law Society website as working at Megsons LLP - trading address Greengate Business Centre, Greengate Oldham OL4 1FN (same as old address for C)
5. Stirling Law trading address is Greengate Business Centre, Greengate Oldham OL4 1FN (sound familiar?? - yes same address again)
6. Assistant Solicitor at C was Abbie P (shown on Law Society page under Stirling Law), was then an Assistant Solicitor at Megsons LLP and is now listed as being with Sterling Law so we have Stirling claiming the files of Wolstenholmes with HM being one of the suspended solicitors from that firm having been a partner of C with RS. The trading address for all these firms is the same (except W of course) - draw your own conclusions!!! All of this information is available on public websites so feel free to check the accurancy of this information.

Another link is the phone number posted for Stirling being 0161 624 5777 - someone has traced it to a firm called Ramsdens Firthwhitehead...... this firm was RSs firm before it became C

I repeat my advice - only use the firm the SRA have appointed to intervene for your own protection.

Not all solicitors are bad - people like these give the profession a bad name and I am sorry for everyone who has been affected by this!!

Well I have just called (Stirling Law - She said it was i not e as in Sterling) and they have my file! I have asked her to send it to me, but they are only allowed to send it to DWF not to my new solicitor (which might save me some money!!), since I will be paying twice now, thanks to WH.

I was advised that they are sending them over in "Batches" as there is nothing DWF can do until the SRA have finished their investigations.

I have called DWF and it took over 7 minutes to locate Keiran Walshe, who was not at his desk. The Welsh girl on the reception asked if he was based at the Manchester office, as she was unable to find him!!! Sounds as efficient as WH!

I have left my home telephone number, so I will see if I he returns my call.

This is so frustrating, it is like pulling teeth:D