Warning - do not use wolstenholmes solicitors

Simply_Me_2

LadyLawyer wrote: »

Hi
you get what you pay for.

LadyLawyer as a member of the profession which one of the two tiers of regulation do you subscribe to? When I last looked all solicitors were regulated by the SRA, a one tier regulator making no distinction between solicitors or the fees they charged.

anotherproblem

keiran wrote: »

well I think the "system" has ensured that it has worked this way

they closed the firm just before Xmas ( good time to bury news)and I agree the whole issue has received very scant attention from the media or "overseers"

I am also exceedingly pessimistic that the SRA's role will be examined, or that any heads will roll

It actually calls for a high level review, at least parliamentary Select Committee level, but I have no doubt that lawyers will brush it all under the carpet


And complain to your MP?? will i for one, have suggested this (www.writetothem.com) but guess what ??? Parliament (both Houses) are full of these slimey lizards who will do everyhting to defend their own, inferior species

Shakespears was right " First of all, we kill all the lawyers"

I agree - and what really gets me I only found out what had happened because of a random phone call I made to the land registry. Even now I would have no idea of what was going on, because of the lack of information in the media. If we are not careful this will be brushed under the carpet even more

Catwoman8950

anotherproblem wrote: »

Also I wonder why this has been so contained as it only seems to be reported locally in the news. I think it's about time it was reported further afield so that the proffession is seen for what it's worth

Good point. I wonder if the national press has been gagged?

Horrified_Solicitor

Catwoman8950 wrote: »

Good point. I wonder if the national press has been gagged?

Hardly! It's just that in absolute terms it's not a big story. Objectively, it amounts to this:

1. Dodgy solicitors firm closed down by regulator.
2 Regulator sends in its own solicitors to sort it out.
3. No one dies and everyone who has suffered loss will be fully compensated.

It would be of more interest if none of the victims were going to get compensated.

mjmal51

Horrified_Solicitor wrote: »

Hardly! It's just that in absolute terms it's not a big story. Objectively, it amounts to this:

1. Dodgy solicitors firm closed down by regulator.
2 Regulator sends in its own solicitors to sort it out.
3. No one dies and everyone who has suffered loss will be fully compensated.

It would be of more interest if none of the victims were going to get compensated.

Probably true but I don't think any of us affected were aware that dodgy solicitors were around, especially in a large company, and certainly did not know of the hoops you have to go through to get the SRA to take action and then to get compensation.
The whole thing is wrapped up in a cloud of legalese and it would be good if an investigative journalist could follow up on the whole system which allows an event like this to occur.
Meanwhile I do hope Mark Hunter, MP, raises these issues when he meets Jack Straw.
http://www.markhunter.org.uk/news/000588/hunter_to_meet_with_jack_straw_to_secure_justice_for_wolstenholmes_victims.html

MissPomPoms

anotherproblem wrote: »

Not criticising and not looking for business - enough said!

I think that ranting on against Lady Lawyer isn't helpful to anyone else on this forum who is looking for any help or assistance in this matter. I understand your anger and frustration at the situation that a dodgy law firm has placed you in but don't take it out on a messanger form the same profession; she could be helpful to others.

From my reading of her post she wasn't trying to drum up business, just offering to use her contacts to answer specific queries for some unlucky souls who are struggling to deal with sorry mess.

robtheboywonder

anotherproblem wrote: »

I agree - and what really gets me I only found out what had happened because of a random phone call I made to the land registry. Even now I would have no idea of what was going on, because of the lack of information in the media. If we are not careful this will be brushed under the carpet even more

I echo the above post entirely, the only warning I received was from my vendors estate agent, 100 miles away, and still have not received any official notification. Even DWF have not responded to 3 emails and after a number of phone calls eventually advised that they hold my deeds (from Stirling Law). I was told they would be writing to me so I can arrange collection, that was Monday. I have no problem with them and I appreciate they have a lot to do, but they are slow.

anotherproblem

Horrified_Solicitor wrote: »

Hardly! It's just that in absolute terms it's not a big story. Objectively, it amounts to this:

1. Dodgy solicitors firm closed down by regulator.
2 Regulator sends in its own solicitors to sort it out.
3. No one dies and everyone who has suffered loss will be fully compensated.

It would be of more interest if none of the victims were going to get compensated.

Excuse me, but I have rung the SRA more than once and there is no guarantee that people will get compensated. I keep getting told "fill in the forms and we will look at it". This puts even more pressure on those of us who have had to employ other soliciters to complete transactions. I have paid LR and other fees twice. And with a solicitor that keeps upping the bill the pressure keeps building up If I ever buy another property I am going to do the work myself.

And as you are aware the 1. 2. 3. in your post was much more involved than that. The Regulaters have failed dismally - the way I see it they jumped in without ensuring that ALL clients files were safe (otherwise there would not be so many missing). Surely they could have instructed DWF to work alongside the WH staff in some way. There were good staff within WH doing a good job, under difficult circumstances.

anotherproblem

Well I finally got the letter from DWF with a form to fill in so that I can claim the few bits of paper that they found in relationship to my property. Here we go again. Part of the form indicates that one needs to send in proof of identity and residence, and guess what. They have to be a certified copies. SO I ring them up in my ignorence and ask who certifies the copies. Lo and behold they have to be certified by a solicitor or accountant. Talk about jobs for the boys!!. So I ring my solicitor who reminds me that that is not included in the payments that have already been made. It's not that I mind paying for work done it's the mentality.

Just for info for those who dont have it - I expect most do.

DWF 0161 603 5000 if they tell you to employ a solicitor and try to send you away stand your ground and they will give the information that they have - they are also able to tell you if Stirling Law have any files belonging to you.

Stirling Law 0161 785 7866.

mjmal51

anotherproblem wrote: »

Well I finally got the letter from DWF with a form to fill in so that I can claim the few bits of paper that they found in relationship to my property.

.

So are you intending to put in several claims at each stage you have to pay money out? Are the SRA OK with this? I might be just misreading the intention.
It's just that I thought we had to put in one claim for the lot when finally complete. With Stamp Duty my final bill will be over £11,000 which is a real worry. I've not spoken to the SRA for a while only the LCS which only gave info I already knew, intervention, DWF etc. Did e mail SRA last week to get an idiot's guide on compo for us all and waiting for a reply. If of any use I will post here.