Solicitor not responding - what are my options?

alsa1

Hello

I recently put in a successful offer for a house, and by September 30 had given all client information paperwork followed by confirmation that a loan offer is due in late October.

However the lender has told me it is delayed as they have contacted the conveyancing solicitor on 4 different occasions to confirm some details. But they’ve had no reply, so cannot formally send out my offer?

I’ve called up every week, and sent emails to the solicitor to ask why they aren’t responding only to be told she is either away from her desk, on annual leave or at a conference.

She hasn’t replied to me once, and now I am amazed to hear from the unhappy seller that their solicitor has not had a single enquiry from our’s regarding the purchase.

What exactly are my rights here? I have no confidence in this solicitor anymore, but I’m worried if I don’t do it properly then even if I go to another firm they could chase me for payment (despite the unprofessionalism shown from them).

Any advice would be appreciated.

Murphybear

Have a look at The Law Society website. They have a good article about how to complain about a solicitor.

Skiddaw1

I should start by raising a complaint with whoever the head of practice is. There must be an internal complaints procedure.

SmashedAvacado

Have you :
1) provided them with ID documents?
2) agreed their engagement with them?
3) paid them some money on account?
Not all of the above are needed - but if not, then you need to give them what they've asked for. In any event, they should not be ignoring you. They are bound by strict codes of conduct that have become stricter from today (25 November). By not responding to you or anyone else they are not acting in your best interests. If you make this point to them, and the complaints partner, they should take note.

alsa1

Yes I will raise an internal complaint immediately. But my seller is threatening to pull out (especially after he found out they haven’t contacted his side even once in 6 weeks), and I do worry that if I remain with this current solicitor there will be inevitable further delays, while we wait for the complaint to go through the system.

If I instruct another firm and deal with this separately - is that something others have done previously?

alsa1

SmashedAvacado wrote: »

Have you :
1) provided them with ID documents?
2) agreed their engagement with them?
3) paid them some money on account?
Not all of the above are needed - but if not, then you need to give them what they've asked for. In any event, they should not be ignoring you. They are bound by strict codes of conduct that have become stricter from today (25 November). By not responding to you or anyone else they are not acting in your best interests. If you make this point to them, and the complaints partner, they should take note.

Yes to all, I have paid money on account, and returned all client information they needed. Having spoken briefly to her secretary, she was said they had all they needed from us, the entire issue revolves around the failure of the solicitor herself to do anything on this case.

supa34

You have already paid into account?

If I was you I'd get the money back first. Something doesn't sound right. I have heard of hackers intercepting email and pretending to be the solicitor and provide their own bank account details.

If I get any bank details by email or post I always call to confirm

G_M

As advised follow the complaints procedure.



I'd be tempted in my letter of complaint to say you are withdrawing your instruction to them and expect to receive back in full the money you've paid them on account.


Of course, that presupposes you have identified a new local solicitor who is on your lender's panel, and who have visited and been impressed by.

alsa1

supa34 wrote: »

You have already paid into account?

If I was you I'd get the money back first. Something doesn't sound right. I have heard of hackers intercepting email and pretending to be the solicitor and provide their own bank account details.

If I get any bank details by email or post I always call to confirm

Oh no, I didn’t do it by BACS, I paid by card in their office when I went in to return all their initial client forms.

alsa1

G_M wrote: »

As advised follow the complaints procedure.



I'd be tempted in my letter of complaint to say you are withdrawing your instruction to them and expect to receive back in full the money you've paid them on account.


Of course, that presupposes you have identified a new local solicitor who is on your lender's panel, and who have visited and been impressed by.

Thanks, that is what I will highlight in my complaint. I have already got a quote ready from another firm who were recommended by someone but I regret not going with first.

My main fear is that if I make a complaint and then wait for them to reply it will only add more time on to the process

G_M

alsa1 wrote: »

My main fear is that if I make a complaint and then wait for them to reply it will only add more time on to the process

Not if you de-instruct them and instruct the new one. There will be some delay of course, as the new solicitor will start from scratch, but it sounds like the current one is still at that point anyway!


Getting your refund may well take time, and maybe some argument though.