Manak Solicitors, Kent

mungo73

I should say that I don't /thnk/ that this particular letter I receieved is a scam, but it sure as hell looks like one.

I just receieved a Letter from Manak Solicitors who appear have incorporated the solicitors that handled our house purchase last year.

It is titled "Re: Your Matter". It says "For clarity, please note your matter was brought to this firm by [first name provided only] as he moved and joined this firm immediately after the closure of [name deleted] solicitors." I do not know what "Your matter" refers to. It does not give a surname or any other detail regarding "our matter".

The letter informs us that they "continue to hold a sum of £135 to your credit on our ledger relating to your above matter [i.e 'Re: Your Matter'!]." This is news to me, although perhaps possible. Here's the thing though, they sign off saying "Finally, please note, any further work that may need to be carried out after today [i.e yesterday, the date the letter was written], to include dealing with realeasing your money, will be chargeable at an hourly rate which in this instance will be for £250 per hour, £25 per letter, telephone call made"<snip>. What, like, including posting a cheque say?

Just wanted to check, isn't this illegal? Do any of you knowledgeable lot know what the specific law is that prevents people from writing letters offering money but sneaking in unreasonable charges. If it's not illegal, am I able to counter them with a quick letter saying that any calls, emails or unreasonable charges from them will result in charges of, say, £600?

They appear to be regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, currently.

Thanks!

davidmcn

If there's actually any further legal work involved in your case then they can charge for it. If the money can simply be sent out to you then no, they shouldn't be charging fees for that.

davidmcn

Manak_Solicitors wrote: »

Dear Mungo73,

This thread has only recently been brought to our attention.

We apologise if the wording in our letter was unclear.

To clarify, we are simply trying to restore the balance funds that we hold on account for you (which was transferred to us when upon their firm closing).

We would only raise additional charges should any further or additional legal work be required – there is categorically no charge for us sending a cheque to you for the balance funds and we apologise for any misunderstanding.

You are welcome to contact us should any issue require clarification (quoting reference BF/MSE).

Sincerely,
Manak Solicitors

(a) you need MSE's consent to be posting here as a business, and
(b) your client last logged in here in October, so you should probably find alternative ways of contacting them