Scammed by a solicitor - please help

brasilian

Hello

Newbie here, so please be nice..

Looking for a bit of help with a recent and ongoing issue I am experiencing with a small firm of solicitors in Glasgow.

I asked them to act for me in a fairly straightforward conveyancing transaction and a fixed fee was agreed from an outset. Then, a few months later they began adding a few 'extras' to the quote and told me that these were their 'further fees' on top of the fixed fee. They didn't explain what these further fees were for, only that they were payable on top of their fixed fee. That seemed quite under-handed to me and when I queried these additional fees I was met with quite a hardened response telling me that if I didn't pay all their fees I would be taken to court and sued for all sums plus interest and expenses. It was all quite a shock and they weren't interested in discussing the issue at all.

So, my question is- what can I do now? Is it worth me complaining to the professional regulator? I am really disgusted by their behavior and it has caused me a great deal of hurt, stress and anxiety.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

jacques_chirac

What were the further fees for? Solicitors often quote a fixed fee for conveyancing plus disbursements, could it be this?

Are there any other negative reports about them online? Feel free to name them if you wish.

haras_nosirrah

Usually it will be a fixed legal fee plus disbursement a (I.e stuff they pay on your behalf and you need to repay them for e.g searches, land registry)

bod1467

If it is as above, then why are the solicitors not making this clear to the OP?

TBagpuss

As the PPs have said, normally for conveyancing there will be a fixed fee for the costs, plus disbursements for things such as searches. The solicitors will generally also handle the payment of other money you owe, such as the Agents fees, and payment of Stamp Duty.

You should have had a clear break down of the costs and disbursements in or with your original client care letter.

For most types of fixed fee work there will also be a provision which says that the costs may increase if there is unexpected additional work.

You hav the right to ask for a breakdown of the bill, and you can make a complaint suing the firm's complaints provcedure, if you feel that the coss were not made clear up font.

You can then make a complaint to the Scottish Legal Complaints Comission, of you are not satisfied with the reply from the firm. - more detaisl about what you can do here https://www.lawscot.org.uk/forthepublic/what-the-society-can-do-for-you/making-a-complaint

Bantex_2

brasilian wrote: »

Hello

Newbie here, so please be nice..

Looking for a bit of help with a recent and ongoing issue I am experiencing with a small firm of solicitors in Glasgow.

I asked them to act for me in a fairly straightforward conveyancing transaction and a fixed fee was agreed from an outset. Then, a few months later they began adding a few 'extras' to the quote and told me that these were their 'further fees' on top of the fixed fee. They didn't explain what these further fees were for, only that they were payable on top of their fixed fee. That seemed quite under-handed to me and when I queried these additional fees I was met with quite a hardened response telling me that if I didn't pay all their fees I would be taken to court and sued for all sums plus interest and expenses. It was all quite a shock and they weren't interested in discussing the issue at all.

So, my question is- what can I do now? Is it worth me complaining to the professional regulator? I am really disgusted by their behavior and it has caused me a great deal of hurt, stress and anxiety.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

If you are sure you are being scammed, let them take you to court and you will win.

haras_nosirrah

How much were the fees op? What was the value of the property

For an under stamp duty transaction I would expect solicitor fees to be around £600 plus vat with the disbursement a taking it to between 1k and 1300 depending on if flat or house

keyser666

Bantex wrote: »

If you are sure you are being scammed, let them take you to court and you will win.

Perfect !!!!

brasilian

Thanks so much for the responses.

To answer some of the questions:

The fixed fee quoted was £500 plus VAT and a number of outlays (searches, registration dues etc) which was fine.

However, what I took issue with was the further fees for what I was told was telephone calls and letters on my behalf; receiving ID documents from me; further revising documents; receiving deposit money (is it okay for them to charge me to receive deposit money?); noting my enquiries about progress and the transaction. These were all over and above the fixed fee, whereas I thought these activities would be included in my fixed fee - am I wrong for thinking that?

And another point I really didn't understand was that they sent me a SDLT form to complete (which I filled in and completed by myself) and then said that I am liable for a fee of £80 for completing this - which makes it as though I am paying for my own time? Or is that normal?

There aren't any reviews about them online and their website does suggest that they are a professional and reputable outfit. The firm is called (text removed by MSE Forum Team) and solicitor who has been dealing with everything is a chap called (text removed by MSE Forum Team). The main reason for me going with them was because of the fixed fee they quoted me. However, when I raised these issues with them they threatened me with court action and said I am liable for all costs they have billed me and if I don't pay them they will simply go ahead and raise court action. I thought all of that was a bit heavy-handed.

I am to averse to paying them what was agreed (the fixed fee quote), however I just think they have been very unprofessional, under-handed and threatening and nowhere near what I would expect from professional solicitors, especially when this firm describe themselves so well on their website. Or, am I wrong and are they entitled to increase fixed fee quotes for type of activities that I listed above?

Thank you for the reference to SLCC - I will definitely look into that. All in all, I really don't want to get involved in any court action as the whole thing has caused me a great deal of hurt, stress and shock but I am not sure if I have just been naive with my expectations from professional solicitors?

Ilona

I think solicitors have a habit of adding to the bill. I had half an hour free consultation. Afterwards I sent them a letter and they replied, also I phoned them a couple of times. They sent me a bill for over £100. I asked what it was for and was told it was for reading my letter and replying, and speaking to them on the phone. Very underhand I thought because they didn't tell me these things in the first place. I understand your frustration.
Ilona

gik

Ilona wrote: »

I think solicitors have a habit of adding to the bill. I had half an hour free consultation. Afterwards I sent them a letter and they replied, also I phoned them a couple of times. They sent me a bill for over £100. I asked what it was for and was told it was for reading my letter and replying, and speaking to them on the phone. Very underhand I thought because they didn't tell me these things in the first place. I understand your frustration.
Ilona

You had a free half hour, anything over that will obviously be chargeable surely?