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Legal Ombudsman Wont Help!!

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In July 2010, I had to employ a solicitor to dispute a problem that occurred with the local authority.

The solicitor passed me onto an advocate who was allocated to me in their office as she was too busy to deal with my case.

I gave repeated instructions to this advocate that I wanted them to write to the council and dispute the issue before going to court yet the advocate refused.

I also asked the same advocate to write to the council to argue about the evidence that was submitted being over 2 years old; again this request was refused.

On the day of the trial; I notified the barrister employed by the firm that there was a conflict of interest as the magistrate knew the complainant; the barrister did not act on this.

As a result of the firm loosing my case, I was forced to sell and move as I couldnt live in my own home.

There was never any itemised bill, just a rough estimate of costs.

I was charged £7000; as I could not pay due to being refused legal aid, my father kindly paid the bill.

In October this year, I asked for a breakdown of costs; I was horrified that there was things on the bill I never received, and that the firm had exagerated on travelling expenses.

They also claimed I had meetings with people I had NEVER met.

I only ever dealt with 1 person at their office.

The problem I have is that the Legal Ombudsman have sided with the firm saying they have done nothing wrong, and have refused to investigate the bill saying it was out of their time zone.

What can I do, any advice please, thank you!!

Comments

  • When did you receive the bill?
  • MUMZ2BEE
    MUMZ2BEE Posts: 381 Forumite
    My father received the bill in around August 2010, and he paid in full in September 2010, but Legal Ombudsman said they wont touch it!!
  • McKneff
    McKneff Posts: 38,857 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Why didn't you ask for a breakdown at the time.


    Surely it would have been on the invoice that they sent to you to pay.
    make the most of it, we are only here for the weekend.
    and we will never, ever return.
  • MUMZ2BEE
    MUMZ2BEE Posts: 381 Forumite
    McKneff wrote: »
    Why didn't you ask for a breakdown at the time.


    Surely it would have been on the invoice that they sent to you to pay.

    I was not legally minded back then on legal matters.

    The solicitor did not give me an actual invoice and did not say about a breakdown in costs.

    All I was given was a rough estimate in costs.
  • bris
    bris Posts: 10,548 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    The legal ombudsman will have received detailed invoices from the firm showing the breakdown, unless you can prove differently this will stand.

    There is work carried out behind closed doors to prepare the case that you never see and at around £250-£300 an hour it soon mounts up.

    If you want to take it further you need to put a figure on how much you believe you have been overcharged and take this figure to the small claims court where the judge will ask to see the firms invoices.

    Be aware though that if the invoices look to be in order then a judge would just side with them again, time to move on I think.

    Suing anyone is always going to be an expensive risk, risk being the keyword, you lost, put it behind you before it eats away at you.
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