Divorce: Should I change my solicitor?

trojan10_om

I am the respondent in a divorce case. The initial paperwork has been sent to the court. We have drafted a financial order, and the other party have counter offered (which I won't be accepting).

I'm pleased with the standard of work provided by my solicitors, but not by the way they operate. In 6 months since my first appointment, my file has been handled by 5 different solicitors due to staff changes.

Crucially, the first one was at a rate £195/hour, and the latest now wants £275/hour as she has 25 years of experience. They don't have a junior option.

Another firm has an £180/hour junior or £225/hour Head of Department.

They estimate around 1 hour of costs to read back on my files to date. I feel like I should switch based on costs, and based on the fact I'm not happy about all the staff changes at my original solicitors.

Opinions?

Marvel1

trojan10_om wrote: »

I feel like I should switch based on costs, and based on the fact I'm not happy about all the staff changes at my original solicitors.

Opinions?

There is your answer.

trojan10_om

cjdavies wrote: »

There is your answer.

Sounds a no brainer, doesn't it.

Just wanted opinions, as I'm quite anxious about starting with a new firm.

Comms69

Why not speak to the firms complaints handler about this?


I suspect they'd rather charge slightly less to keep you.

keith969

Comms69 wrote: »

Why not speak to the firms complaints handler about this?


I suspect they'd rather charge slightly less to keep you.

I'd agree. You have no way of knowing if, by switching, you will get a better service or a worse one. Only a possibly cheaper one.

trojan10_om

Yes maybe I should raise the question via the complaints procedure. I suspect they may offer a discount, but certainly not near the fees they quoted for the junior staff a few months ago.

If I did move, would this put me in a disadvantage in anyway for be divorce case, other than the short time it will take them to catch up? I mean changing solicitors doesn’t look good does it, from the point of view of the other side.

crv1963

Yes maybe I should raise the question via the complaints procedure. I suspect they may offer a discount, but certainly not near the fees they quoted for the junior staff a few months ago.


I would raise a complaint before changing solicitors, if they don't know you're unhappy how can they change their service to you or others. Also the process is about the quality of the work. Experience helps and may not need as many hours of work?


If I did move, would this put me in a disadvantage in anyway for be divorce case, other than the short time it will take them to catch up? I mean changing solicitors doesn’t look good does it, from the point of view of the other side.

I don't see how a move would disadvantage you. Your getting divorced so what the other side thinks should not be a consideration for you.

trojan10_om

Good news. I was put straight through to the Senior Partner when I explained my experience. My current solictor with 25 years of experience will continue, but at a reduced rate of £225/hour.

Primrose

It pays to complain! A lot of solicitors are going into liquidation these days or having to amalgamate practices now Legal aid has practically been withdrawn by the government so its always worth querying charges.