Solicitors - What Are Your Experiences With Them?
Discussion
For the first time in my life I'm having to use a solicitor to facilitate a house purchase.
My experience to date is:
Solicitor firm 1 -Sent me forms, all is well and asked for payment. Gave no payment details, 6 phone calls, 3 emails and no response. Couldn't get a hold of him at all. Stopped working with him as he simply would not answer. Gave him 3 weeks.
Firm 2 - Sent the wrong forms, incorrectly filled out and thought I was selling not buying. Came across as overworked/incompetent so decided to avoid
Firm 3 - Asked for details which I gave and they said they will get the ball rolling, radio silence since. I phone and ask for an update and get told I will get an email straight after the call which never arrives. Still waiting for a call. Has been 2 weeks today.
Firm 4 - Recommended by a friend, tons of good reviews and down the road from me, asked for deposit which I gave given the positive reviews and personal recommendations. Not a word from him since, I call and he says he will do xyz and never does.
Im tied in with firm 4 now and I can appreciate they are busy with the stamp duty change but how can 4/4 be so terrible to deal with?
I'm genuinely surprised at how poor my experiences with them has been.
My experience to date is:
Solicitor firm 1 -Sent me forms, all is well and asked for payment. Gave no payment details, 6 phone calls, 3 emails and no response. Couldn't get a hold of him at all. Stopped working with him as he simply would not answer. Gave him 3 weeks.
Firm 2 - Sent the wrong forms, incorrectly filled out and thought I was selling not buying. Came across as overworked/incompetent so decided to avoid
Firm 3 - Asked for details which I gave and they said they will get the ball rolling, radio silence since. I phone and ask for an update and get told I will get an email straight after the call which never arrives. Still waiting for a call. Has been 2 weeks today.
Firm 4 - Recommended by a friend, tons of good reviews and down the road from me, asked for deposit which I gave given the positive reviews and personal recommendations. Not a word from him since, I call and he says he will do xyz and never does.
Im tied in with firm 4 now and I can appreciate they are busy with the stamp duty change but how can 4/4 be so terrible to deal with?
I'm genuinely surprised at how poor my experiences with them has been.
Generally been ok. Couple of house sales and probate etc went smoothly.
The only slight gripe would be the Solicitors we used when we purchased this house. They dragged their heels a fair bit and when questioned blamed our sellers for the delay. Which would have been fine except we knew the people we were buying from so knew there was no delay their end. Needless to say when we sold another property we used someone else.
The only slight gripe would be the Solicitors we used when we purchased this house. They dragged their heels a fair bit and when questioned blamed our sellers for the delay. Which would have been fine except we knew the people we were buying from so knew there was no delay their end. Needless to say when we sold another property we used someone else.
Edited by SistersofPercy on Friday 5th March 12:24
Edited by SistersofPercy on Friday 5th March 13:22
I'm currently in a tangled web of a boundary issue that stopped us selling our house 18 months ago.
Solicitor engaged 16 months ago.
So far has recommended and carried out a lot of work that it's clear (from Land Registry's reply) was unnecessary and inappropriate i.e. asking LR to do things they aren't mandated to.
Has not done the one fairly simple thing they should have actioned in January 2020.
Has only been consistent in that they've been insanely difficult to get hold of.
Has missed every single deadline they set themselves, apart from when sending invoices. Not exaggerating - complete radio silence by phone, mobile or email for 1-2 weeks following every single (self-imposed) deadline.
Has been very careful with wording to suggest there's not much more expense to come, leading me to reluctantly stay with them for that bit longer rather than bin them off for someone competent because it'll only cause more delay and cost, only to find later that we're nowhere near the finish line.
Has quoted up front for the next stage of work then done in excess of what they said they'd do, then tried to bill for it.
TL;DR: meh, felt good to get that off my chest
Solicitor engaged 16 months ago.
So far has recommended and carried out a lot of work that it's clear (from Land Registry's reply) was unnecessary and inappropriate i.e. asking LR to do things they aren't mandated to.
Has not done the one fairly simple thing they should have actioned in January 2020.
Has only been consistent in that they've been insanely difficult to get hold of.
Has missed every single deadline they set themselves, apart from when sending invoices. Not exaggerating - complete radio silence by phone, mobile or email for 1-2 weeks following every single (self-imposed) deadline.
Has been very careful with wording to suggest there's not much more expense to come, leading me to reluctantly stay with them for that bit longer rather than bin them off for someone competent because it'll only cause more delay and cost, only to find later that we're nowhere near the finish line.
Has quoted up front for the next stage of work then done in excess of what they said they'd do, then tried to bill for it.
TL;DR: meh, felt good to get that off my chest
Regarding houses - I asked around for a recommendation and was given the number of a guy I've now used five times, he is excellent and I'd thoroughly recommend him however he's now a partner and I'm struggling to justify his prices for what is a very simple process
Regarding legal disputes - horrific, charge high sums for very poor work and exaggerate their hours. Unfortunately I couldn't get a recommendation as all my friends say similar.
Regarding legal disputes - horrific, charge high sums for very poor work and exaggerate their hours. Unfortunately I couldn't get a recommendation as all my friends say similar.
TheGreatDane said:
For the first time in my life I'm having to use a solicitor to facilitate a house purchase.
My experience to date is:
Solicitor firm 1 -Sent me forms, all is well and asked for payment. Gave no payment details, 6 phone calls, 3 emails and no response. Couldn't get a hold of him at all. Stopped working with him as he simply would not answer. Gave him 3 weeks.
Firm 2 - Sent the wrong forms, incorrectly filled out and thought I was selling not buying. Came across as overworked/incompetent so decided to avoid
Firm 3 - Asked for details which I gave and they said they will get the ball rolling, radio silence since. I phone and ask for an update and get told I will get an email straight after the call which never arrives. Still waiting for a call. Has been 2 weeks today.
Firm 4 - Recommended by a friend, tons of good reviews and down the road from me, asked for deposit which I gave given the positive reviews and personal recommendations. Not a word from him since, I call and he says he will do xyz and never does.
Im tied in with firm 4 now and I can appreciate they are busy with the stamp duty change but how can 4/4 be so terrible to deal with?
I'm genuinely surprised at how poor my experiences with them has been.
Conveyancing solicitors are very busy at present. They are also struggling with staff WFH and off sick or shielding.My experience to date is:
Solicitor firm 1 -Sent me forms, all is well and asked for payment. Gave no payment details, 6 phone calls, 3 emails and no response. Couldn't get a hold of him at all. Stopped working with him as he simply would not answer. Gave him 3 weeks.
Firm 2 - Sent the wrong forms, incorrectly filled out and thought I was selling not buying. Came across as overworked/incompetent so decided to avoid
Firm 3 - Asked for details which I gave and they said they will get the ball rolling, radio silence since. I phone and ask for an update and get told I will get an email straight after the call which never arrives. Still waiting for a call. Has been 2 weeks today.
Firm 4 - Recommended by a friend, tons of good reviews and down the road from me, asked for deposit which I gave given the positive reviews and personal recommendations. Not a word from him since, I call and he says he will do xyz and never does.
Im tied in with firm 4 now and I can appreciate they are busy with the stamp duty change but how can 4/4 be so terrible to deal with?
I'm genuinely surprised at how poor my experiences with them has been.
Also, increasingly solicitors are moving more towards the model where one solicitor manages a team of paralegals who do the grunt work. Sometimes this is a good thing, because some paralegals are efficient and well trained. Others shouldn't be trusted with a paperknife.
If you want an actual solicitor doing your work you'll pay for it. You will also be dealing with someone who feels that the work is beneath him, which it is to some degree. The senior partner deals with some of our conveyancing work and it can be like trying to manage Madonna.
There is 100% an element of "get what you pay for" when instructing solicitors, particularly on property purchases. My colleague used the panel firm that his lender reconmended for £400 and was constantly on the phone chasing them etc. We used a 'proper' firm for £1,500 and the process literally could not have been any smoother.
Unfortunate that most people's only interactions with lawyers is when buying / selling property (and I say 'lawyers' in the loosest possible sense) as the margins are miniscule in that practice area and the quality of work is often poor
Unfortunate that most people's only interactions with lawyers is when buying / selling property (and I say 'lawyers' in the loosest possible sense) as the margins are miniscule in that practice area and the quality of work is often poor
I mentioned in another thread about the speed and utter stress free process buying our first house was coming up 2 years ago.
From first viewing to getting the keys was a little over 3 weeks. All solicitor & conveyancer communication was perfect, never chased them once, they constantly provided updates throughout.
Think their fees from memory were £900 which only cost us £400 after cashback offer from Nationwide.
I think using someone who relies on their reputation helps.
From first viewing to getting the keys was a little over 3 weeks. All solicitor & conveyancer communication was perfect, never chased them once, they constantly provided updates throughout.
Think their fees from memory were £900 which only cost us £400 after cashback offer from Nationwide.
I think using someone who relies on their reputation helps.
I have been somewhat disappointed by my experiences with the legal eagles I’ve had to use.
Forgetting house buying/selling because as said above it’s mostly Conveyancers that do the work.
I had a tricky situation with a business partner some years ago. The lawyer helping me was probably out of his depth and he brought in the services of a fairly new silk early on. New to keep the costs down (!). He did tell me about this help at the time. I just went along with his advice.
I had to fly in from Europe especially to attend the meeting and the silk had to drive 2 hours to attend.
The total lack of any help/advice was astonishing and the meeting was a total waste of time and should’ve been a quick phone call. None of my main queries were delt with and the advice I received could’ve been got from the CAB.
Of course I had to pay up front a health 5 figure sum, because a court case was on the cards.
I had next to nothing returned so I went to a different practice and asked them to cost the work that I was charged for.
I think the guy was embarrassed for his profession as he told me they had paid themselves most handsomely indeed on what was a straight forward case. No expertise needed yada yada. Basically they ripped me off but to take them to task would need more money and my business was failing.
A few other similar tales of woe that would only increase my blood pressure unnecessarily if I type them out.
Left me feeling that if my daughter came home and said “Dad, my new boyfriend is a drug dealer” I wouldn’t be best pleased, but i would think, “it could be worse, might’ve been a lawyer”.
Good and bad/indifferent in all professions and I hope the resident legal guys don’t get wound up.
I’m 50/50 on them.
Forgetting house buying/selling because as said above it’s mostly Conveyancers that do the work.
I had a tricky situation with a business partner some years ago. The lawyer helping me was probably out of his depth and he brought in the services of a fairly new silk early on. New to keep the costs down (!). He did tell me about this help at the time. I just went along with his advice.
I had to fly in from Europe especially to attend the meeting and the silk had to drive 2 hours to attend.
The total lack of any help/advice was astonishing and the meeting was a total waste of time and should’ve been a quick phone call. None of my main queries were delt with and the advice I received could’ve been got from the CAB.
Of course I had to pay up front a health 5 figure sum, because a court case was on the cards.
I had next to nothing returned so I went to a different practice and asked them to cost the work that I was charged for.
I think the guy was embarrassed for his profession as he told me they had paid themselves most handsomely indeed on what was a straight forward case. No expertise needed yada yada. Basically they ripped me off but to take them to task would need more money and my business was failing.
A few other similar tales of woe that would only increase my blood pressure unnecessarily if I type them out.
Left me feeling that if my daughter came home and said “Dad, my new boyfriend is a drug dealer” I wouldn’t be best pleased, but i would think, “it could be worse, might’ve been a lawyer”.
Good and bad/indifferent in all professions and I hope the resident legal guys don’t get wound up.
I’m 50/50 on them.
In the misery of conveyancing at the moment. It's a shambolic industry that uses outdated communication and processes.
Have gone online, local, online - online experience was better and less of a drain having to take time off going into an office for pointless signing and identity checks.
Have gone online, local, online - online experience was better and less of a drain having to take time off going into an office for pointless signing and identity checks.
Not possible at the moment but whenever we've moved we've chosen local smaller solicitors. It's amazing how much things speed up when you turn up in person to deliver and pick up paperwork. You cut out the post delays, especially if it's just signing some papers and then also there's the fact that you're in their face and they can't ignore you.
The last time (around 12 years ago now) I chose a place that was on my way back from work. I used to pop in every other week or so just to 'check on progress'.
The last time (around 12 years ago now) I chose a place that was on my way back from work. I used to pop in every other week or so just to 'check on progress'.
I had some relatively very simple conveyancing done for me last year, involving removing a charge on my place & a single CHAPS payment. Medium sized 'specialist' legal firm.
Every single time I emailed the 'senior partner' who was dealing with my case resulted in an auto-response 'Mrs XXX' will be returning to her office on such & such a day between such & such time. She was mysteriously NEVER directly available, seemingly working the weirdest shift patterns I have ever come across. Close to £1,000 & 6 weeks to fill in a couple of Land Registry forms......
Every single time I emailed the 'senior partner' who was dealing with my case resulted in an auto-response 'Mrs XXX' will be returning to her office on such & such a day between such & such time. She was mysteriously NEVER directly available, seemingly working the weirdest shift patterns I have ever come across. Close to £1,000 & 6 weeks to fill in a couple of Land Registry forms......
t lease as well which was good! On our last house move ( to the one we are in now) our solicitors failed to exchange on exchange day as both the solicitor and his secretary were out of the office ill and no one had bothered to pick up their work.
They also failed to submit the documentation to the correct authorities here in Wales for the Land Transaction Tax so we received a fine in the post! (They did sort this after the event).
Luckily the solicitors had a customer service policy in place that if any customer wasn't happy with any aspect of their service they could claim 10% of the fees back...yet they were surprised when I claimed!!!!
They also failed to submit the documentation to the correct authorities here in Wales for the Land Transaction Tax so we received a fine in the post! (They did sort this after the event).
Luckily the solicitors had a customer service policy in place that if any customer wasn't happy with any aspect of their service they could claim 10% of the fees back...yet they were surprised when I claimed!!!!
Interestingly as I boringly posted before, my work interactions with lawyers has been very good and I've thoroughly enjoyed working with bright people who know their stuff and deliver a good service. Clearly there's a lot more money involved, as in higher fees.
Even though high street fees for conveyancing, property and wills seem a lot they are actually very small amounts of money! Bert
Even though high street fees for conveyancing, property and wills seem a lot they are actually very small amounts of money! Bert
BertBert said:
Interestingly as I boringly posted before, my work interactions with lawyers has been very good and I've thoroughly enjoyed working with bright people who know their stuff and deliver a good service. Clearly there's a lot more money involved, as in higher fees.
Even though high street fees for conveyancing, property and wills seem a lot they are actually very small amounts of money! Bert
Except that compared to the minimum wage, they are very high fees for the very simple tasks requiredEven though high street fees for conveyancing, property and wills seem a lot they are actually very small amounts of money! Bert
Forums | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff