Can I SAR my Solicitor?

Kavanne

I'd like to SAR the solicitor I used for conveyancing to get all the info in the file he holds so I can go to another solicitor for my future needs.

If I SAR them are they bound by the rules so would have to give me everything? Many thanks

vyle

Giving the solicitor SARS is going a bit extreme, don't you think? Could just ask them...

Kavanne

vyle wrote: »

Giving the solicitor SARS is going a bit extreme, don't you think? Could just ask them...

No unfortunately his conveyancing is just a side line his main business is debt collection (i did not find out until recently and as such want nothing more to do with him) so I cant get a reply to my email/calls as he's too busy and won't make any more money out of me .

makapo

vyle wrote: »

Giving the solicitor SARS is going a bit extreme, don't you think? Could just ask them...

I've dealt with solicitors who deserved no less.



"The first thing we do, let's kill all the lawyers."

Kavanne

So does anyone know?

Tozer

Yes you can. You can also simply ask for your file provided that you have paid all outstanding fees.

dacouch

If you are having a problem with your conveyancer eg they made a mistake and it has cost you money. Then you may find the legal protection (If you took it) under your home Insurance will cover the costs in sueing him, it is normally subject to you having the legal protection for 180 or more days before the incident

Kavanne

No they didn't make a mistake he was just disinterested and I think too long has passed for me to take action (18 months)

Basically I wanted to get the ball rolling on lease extension before I bought this place but he pretended like he didn't know anything about it but I think it was just too much work for him.

I'm coming up to 2 yrs in this place so I want to have all the info to approach another solicitor to assist with my lease extension

zzzLazyDaisy

Provided you have paid all your fees and don't owe the solicitor anything, then the file is deemed to belong to the client and you can ask for it at any time (edit: after 6 years though, many firms routinely destroy the files).

It is unlikely the solicitor will refuse, but if you don't get a response, then make a complaint to the partner responsible for the complaints procedure (just phone and ask for the name). That should definitely solve the problem, but in the very unlikely event that you still don't get the file, then you should notify the Law Society who will take such complaints seriously, but having been in practice as a solicitor I am reasonably certain that it won't come to that.

Hope this helps

scullster

Whats SAR?

Tozer

scullster wrote: »

Whats SAR?

Subject access request (under the Data Protection Act)