“I’ll instruct my solicitor...”
Discussion
I’ve seen it on here and on other forums.
When someone has received shoddy service or their insurer have offered them £250 less than market value in settlement for the write off of their pride and joy they always invariably say that they will get “their solicitor” involved. As if they have someone who has been retained in the family for years and they are on first name terms with them.
It always makes me chuckle because in this day and age, does anyone actually have a personal solicitor on hand and ready to leap into action at a moment’s notice?
Normally the only types of people who have a solicitor or a firm of solicitors ready to act are millionaires or those in the upper echelons of organised crime. This maybe based on all the films I’ve watched though.
In my experience, if you’re involved in an RTA, you either get a firm who is on the panel of your insurers or who works with your LEI insurer.
Buying a house or property dispute? You use whichever property lawyer comes recommended or is tied to your mortgage provider.
So, does anyone actually have a solicitor they keep on retainer to deal with all of their personal legal issues?
When someone has received shoddy service or their insurer have offered them £250 less than market value in settlement for the write off of their pride and joy they always invariably say that they will get “their solicitor” involved. As if they have someone who has been retained in the family for years and they are on first name terms with them.
It always makes me chuckle because in this day and age, does anyone actually have a personal solicitor on hand and ready to leap into action at a moment’s notice?
Normally the only types of people who have a solicitor or a firm of solicitors ready to act are millionaires or those in the upper echelons of organised crime. This maybe based on all the films I’ve watched though.
In my experience, if you’re involved in an RTA, you either get a firm who is on the panel of your insurers or who works with your LEI insurer.
Buying a house or property dispute? You use whichever property lawyer comes recommended or is tied to your mortgage provider.
So, does anyone actually have a solicitor they keep on retainer to deal with all of their personal legal issues?
Do you have a hairdresser or a barber? Are they on retention? Do you nevertheless think of them as 'your' hairdresser?
Having a solicitor doesn't mean you own them, and there's nothing in the phrase "I'll instruct my solicitor" which suggests otherwise. Anyone who thinks it does is a melt.
Whatever the f
k that is...
Having a solicitor doesn't mean you own them, and there's nothing in the phrase "I'll instruct my solicitor" which suggests otherwise. Anyone who thinks it does is a melt.
Whatever the f
k that is...Reminds me of my dad's narcissistic widow who royally fked me and my sister over when he died, I chased and chased certain things with her, via email, one of which was making sure that my dads ashes were interned where he had requested verbally where he wanted them to go, of which she knew; took 23 months after his death!
Anyway I received a letter from the solicitor who wound up his estate, sent on her behalf, detailing what they had done and what she will do; 1 thing of which I am still waiting for 5 years later.
I sent her a stty email, I think along the lines of dad would be proud of her, given the shafting she gave us and she didn't even have the guts to tell me face to face so had to get a solicitor to do it, she responded saying she wanted no further direct contact from me and if I needed to contact her then to "go through my solicitor", which summed her up completely.
Anyway I did contact "her solicitor" about that 1 thing and they said they had no powers to act on her behalf and there was a note on her file stating that she had requested they were to have no contact with her.
ked me and my sister over when he died, I chased and chased certain things with her, via email, one of which was making sure that my dads ashes were interned where he had requested verbally where he wanted them to go, of which she knew; took 23 months after his death! Anyway I received a letter from the solicitor who wound up his estate, sent on her behalf, detailing what they had done and what she will do; 1 thing of which I am still waiting for 5 years later.
I sent her a s
tty email, I think along the lines of dad would be proud of her, given the shafting she gave us and she didn't even have the guts to tell me face to face so had to get a solicitor to do it, she responded saying she wanted no further direct contact from me and if I needed to contact her then to "go through my solicitor", which summed her up completely. Anyway I did contact "her solicitor" about that 1 thing and they said they had no powers to act on her behalf and there was a note on her file stating that she had requested they were to have no contact with her.
My other favourite is “take you to court” like it’s as simple to do as just say those 4 words ! Hear it all the time “if they don’t do what I’ve asked I will take them to court”. I think say “I will tell my mum if you don’t” would be more effective.
This reminds me of a scene in X Files
Crim = “I’m not saying another thing till my lawyer gets here”
Mulder = “who’s your Lawyer?”
Crim = “ I represent myself !”
This reminds me of a scene in X Files
Crim = “I’m not saying another thing till my lawyer gets here”
Mulder = “who’s your Lawyer?”
Crim = “ I represent myself !”
I've only used a Solicitor, 3-4 times in my life and mainly for house purchasers, and one traffic matter. Surely a person uses a different firm of Solicitors dependant on the matter anyway? A Solicitor doing the convayancing on a house purchase in my experience will not deal with matters relating to Road traffic etc?
My favourite one is people saying they will press charges against someone when they believe something Criminal has happened to them- Unless they are taking a private prosecution that decision lies with the Police and/or CPS, anyone can make a complaint but it doesn't mean charges will be brought.
My favourite one is people saying they will press charges against someone when they believe something Criminal has happened to them- Unless they are taking a private prosecution that decision lies with the Police and/or CPS, anyone can make a complaint but it doesn't mean charges will be brought.
Doofus said:
Do you have a hairdresser or a barber? Are they on retention? Do you nevertheless think of them as 'your' hairdresser?
Having a solicitor doesn't mean you own them, and there's nothing in the phrase "I'll instruct my solicitor" which suggests otherwise. Anyone who thinks it does is a melt.
Whatever the fk that is...
Quite right. I remember a conversation with a daft ex MIL who took exception to me referring to the people reporting to me in a work department as "my team". She thought this was presumptuous as they technically worked for the company not me personally. What can you do with people this thick?Having a solicitor doesn't mean you own them, and there's nothing in the phrase "I'll instruct my solicitor" which suggests otherwise. Anyone who thinks it does is a melt.
Whatever the f
k that is...I have 'retained' solicitors for want of a better word. In reality for most people it just means the last solicitor you used, whether it was for making a will, conveyancing or a dispute. Saves googling for one. It follows that I might then say "my solicitor". You can't read anything into that at all.
I think it used to have a lot more clout. I can think of elderly relatives who would be frightened just by receiving a letter from a Solicitor whereas I'd be only interested in the content of the letter. The fact it might come from a solicitor just means someone has shelled out a couple of hundred quid. What would get my attention is if it was a big firm.
Threats are pretty useless unless you're able and willing to back them up.
Edited by Taylor James on Friday 17th April 13:58
Doofus said:
Do you have a hairdresser or a barber? Are they on retention? Do you nevertheless think of them as 'your' hairdresser?
Having a solicitor doesn't mean you own them, and there's nothing in the phrase "I'll instruct my solicitor" which suggests otherwise. Anyone who thinks it does is a melt.
Whatever the fk that is...
Agreed. Same goes for "my doctor", "my accountant", "my gardener" etc. They are somebody you employ/use regularly, but not necessarily exclusively.Having a solicitor doesn't mean you own them, and there's nothing in the phrase "I'll instruct my solicitor" which suggests otherwise. Anyone who thinks it does is a melt.
Whatever the f
k that is...matjk said:
My other favourite is “take you to court” like it’s as simple to do as just say those 4 words ! Hear it all the time “if they don’t do what I’ve asked I will take them to court”. I think say “I will tell my mum if you don’t” would be more effective.
This reminds me of a scene in X Files
Crim = “I’m not saying another thing till my lawyer gets here”
Mulder = “who’s your Lawyer?”
Crim = “ I represent myself !”
For small claims the county court system is cheap and easy so it's not as throw away as you might think. These days it's done on line so even easier.This reminds me of a scene in X Files
Crim = “I’m not saying another thing till my lawyer gets here”
Mulder = “who’s your Lawyer?”
Crim = “ I represent myself !”
We live in a rural area and there is a Solicitor based in the nearest small town - the only one for miles.
He has dealt with issues for our family over the years and is well known locally, working for most farmers etc
I can't say I have ever said I would "Instruct my Solicitor", but in rural communities these circumstances and this relationship isn't uncommon.
He has dealt with issues for our family over the years and is well known locally, working for most farmers etc
I can't say I have ever said I would "Instruct my Solicitor", but in rural communities these circumstances and this relationship isn't uncommon.
My wife's family have a pet solicitor and we've used him a couple of times.
Also the daughter of close friends of ours is a solicitor and she was handy recently for proof of identity. I wouldn't use someone so close for proper stuff though.
As someone pointed out above, taking small claims court action (for amounts under £10K) is very easy.
Also the daughter of close friends of ours is a solicitor and she was handy recently for proof of identity. I wouldn't use someone so close for proper stuff though.
As someone pointed out above, taking small claims court action (for amounts under £10K) is very easy.
I think most don't.
Our family have a firm, and a solicitor there that we have always used. From house purchases to occasionally less enjoyable things. I don't feel particularly special as a result. I see it much the same way as having a gardener/decorator/mechanic/insert other service that you've used before and you'll therefore use again.
People shouting it out is very American though and quite crass.
Our family have a firm, and a solicitor there that we have always used. From house purchases to occasionally less enjoyable things. I don't feel particularly special as a result. I see it much the same way as having a gardener/decorator/mechanic/insert other service that you've used before and you'll therefore use again.
People shouting it out is very American though and quite crass.
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