Abode/Action Conveyancing not responding - advise required

nav_

Hi all,

I instructed Action Conveyancing (trading name of Abode Solicitors aka Arc Property Solicitors) back in May and have had non stop issues with them from the case handler lying to me about the progress of the case to case handlers being switched off my case (old ones having left/let go) without notice or documents/searches not being requested on time.

Usually through all of this i'm able to get in contact with at least someone there to resolve the issues but the last 2 days i have been unable to contact anyone at the firm - my case handler now is usually pretty prompt but i fear he's probably been let go as there is no answer via emails or his direct dial. Even dialing random extension numbers hasn't worked (the method i used to get through to someone the last time this happened).

I really don't know what todo - they have £31k of my money not to mention the fees for searches i've already paid. I also sent them my passport on the weekend as they needed to certify it as the firm acting on behalf of the lender (Action were recently struct off the Halifax panel) required it be certified by a solicitor/conveyancer.

As they regulated by the SRA i logged a complaint with the firm the SRA recommend (Legal Ombudsman) and they have informed me that Abode Solicitors are still trading however they cannot follow up on anything for 8 weeks! Due to the delay caused by Action my purchase is about to collapse at any moment and I cannot wait this period of time.

Feeling extremely stressed, with hindsight i should have just switched firms when i had the chance but just thought it cannot get any worse, guess i was wrong. Anyone able to suggest what i should do? I want my £31k and passport back...what chance do i have of getting that anytime soon?

Cheers..

Richard_Webster

Send a recorded delivery letter (or deliver in person if you are near enough) to the Senior Partner of the practice marked "private and confidential" setting out in full your concerns and complaints. Ask them to deal with the matter promptly, telling you in writing where your matter has got to and what still needs to be done and threaten the Legal Ombudsman if they don't.

(Contacting the Ombudsman initially isn't really a help unless you have first tried to resolve the matter with the practice. Phone calls will not be recorded so are not a reliable record in this kind of case. Put it in writing and when there is a phone conversation follow it up with an e-mail confirming what has been discussed. Insist they give you an e-mail address for contact.)

notanewuser

nav_ wrote: »

Hi all,

I instructed Action Conveyancing (trading name of Abode Solicitors) back in May and have had non stop issues with them from the case handler lying to me about the progress of the case to case handlers being switched off my case (old ones having left/let go) without notice or documents/searches not being requested on time.

Usually through all of this i'm able to get in contact with at least someone there to resolve the issues but the last 2 days i have been unable to contact anyone at the firm - my case handler now is usually pretty prompt but i fear he's probably been let go as there is no answer via emails or his direct dial. Even dialing random extension numbers hasn't worked (the method i used to get through to someone the last time this happened).

I really don't know what todo - they have £31k of my money not to mention the fees for searches i've already paid. I also sent them my passport on the weekend as they needed to certify it as the firm acting on behalf of the lender (Action were recently struct off the Halifax panel) required it be certified by a solicitor/conveyancer.

As they regulated by the SRA i logged a complaint with the firm the SRA recommend (Legal Ombudsman) and they have informed me that Abode Solicitors are still trading however they cannot follow up on anything for 8 weeks! Due to the delay caused by Action my purchase is about to collapse at any moment and I cannot wait this period of time.

Feeling extremely stressed, with hindsight i should have just switched firms when i had the chance but just thought it cannot get any worse, guess i was wrong. Anyone able to suggest what i should do? I want my £31k and passport back...what chance do i have of getting that anytime soon?

Cheers..

Were they recommended to you or were they cheap?

http://www.freeindex.co.uk/profile(action-conveyancing)_222143.htm

notanewuser

Rumour has it they've ceased trading.

http://www.cylex-uk.co.uk/company-reviews/arc-property-solicitors_14005832.html

nav_

I have been complaining throughout the process and was told my complaints were being logged - last week i was told no complaints have been logged on my file so i sent them an email detailing each individual one which they confirmed was logged against my file and that they would get back to me regarding them. Unfortunately i don't live near the firms office.

I was recommended them from a family member that completed on 2 properties without any issues. I had another firm in mind at the time but changed to this one based on his recommendations...such a big mistake.

nav_

notanewuser wrote: »

Rumour has it they've ceased trading.

Yea i have that feeling, but the official standpoint is they are still trading at the moment so i cannot pursue any avenues that involve the closure of a company.

notanewuser

It doesn't sound like they are!!

Catti

Try contacting a neighbouring business and ask if they are still there??

Such as http://www.cladding.co.uk/about-us

And consider the SRA record?/
http://www.sra.org.uk/consumers/solicitor-check/537244.article?Decision-1

maas

Catti wrote: »

Try contacting a neighbouring business and ask if they are still there??

Such as http://www.cladding.co.uk/about-us

And consider the SRA record?/
http://www.sra.org.uk/consumers/solicitor-check/537244.article?Decision-1

snip

• Permitted the use of one client’s funds for the benefit of another client without authority from the first client to do so.
  
• Allowed client bank account to be used as a banking facility.

Wowsers

nav_

Catti wrote: »

Try contacting a neighbouring business and ask if they are still there??

Thanks for the advise, tried contacting that firm - they don't have much of an idea as the business park is pretty big - shall try to find another one.

nav_

Well it appears my passport was undelivered which basically means no-one is answering the doors at the office...guess thats pretty bad news.