Complaining about an Employment Lawyer

lincroft1710

vincent.waldorf wrote: »

The lawyer has offered me a 10pc discount to the fees he didn't deserve. I want to make a complaint as her rudeness really annoyed me and I've probably not spent much time writing my OP

Would I be able to get the fees cancelled on the basis he didn't treat me like a client and was very insensitive and rude? He did little than read the settlement agreement back to me ...

Was it a male or female lawyer?

There is no legal requirement for anyone you pay for advice to be sensitive and polite.

Mersey_2

lincroft1710 wrote: »

There is no legal requirement for anyone you pay for advice to be sensitive and polite.

I'm not sure what you mean.


No, it's not a criminal offence to be rude; but it is a breach of the SRA handbook & Code.


For example, 28 solicitors were disciplined in 2015 for being rude or aggressive to clients.


Indeed they have to ensure specifically that:


* clients are informed at the outset of their right to complain to the Legal Ombudsman;


* they do not harass clients;


and around 20 other conduct requirements.


Although it never surprises me how many solicitors - particularly those of a certain age - are completely unaware of the above: which is in itself a breach!


The Bar Council and all professions who give 'advice' all have similar codes, so yes, there usually are professional and regulatory requirements to be polite to clients.

TBagpuss

There is a huge gap between harassment and being impolite.