Complaining About A Solicitor

[SteveD]

I understand that, if a formal complaint to the solicitor in question does not produce results after a specified time, the next course of action is to lodge a complaint with the Legal Ombudsman. However, does the Legal Ombudsman have teeth? In other words, do they heve the power to oblige the solicitor (or firm of solicitors) to get on and do the job that they are being paid to do? It concerns being the executor of the estate of a deceased person which is dragging on interminably.

[murraymints]

go to Law Society before Ombudsman..I have several times and things have been sorted

[SteveD]

On the Law Society website it seems to suggest that the first course of action is to send a complaint to the Legal Ombudsman.

[murraymints]

I put my complaints to Law Society matters were sorted on a more informal..and less costly route !! sometimes a "word from them" is all that is needed..and tell the solicitor involved you are taking such steps.... amazing how attitudes and application changed !

[SteveD]

Many thanks, murraymints. Does anybody else have any experience of this?

[Peter Pedant]

the firm will have its own complaints system which you MUST follow (because no one will take it further otherwise )

then follow the law society advice - it used oo er 1990 be the Solicitors Complaints Bureau - I am case D in the document that led to its reform when a report commented - the SCB really really must do better ! - it morphed a few times including the solicitors regulation authority

I am surprised there is a jump to the ombudsman

after my 1990 case - it is an easy hop to find: (an SRA determination)
"He had no surviving relatives in this country and Milne and Lyall looked after his affairs.

The SRA agreed outcome said that Mr White, Mr Lester and Mrs Blair admitted: l that they failed to obtain the written consent of all parties where the firm acted for seller, buyer and lender in the same transactions l that they failed to act in the best interests of lender clients by failing to report material information as to the costs and incentive in property transactions; l that Mr White derived a personal gain from his position as trustee; Mr Lester indirectly as a partner in the firm; and Mrs Blair as trustee indirectly as an employee of the firm l that Mr White and Mrs Blair failed as trustees ."

oh dear dear - SRA was solicitors regulation authority
it has doubtless changed again

and I think naughty milne and lyall have stopped trading - what 18 y later?
Jesus. no no see here: https://www.solicitor.info/milne-lyall-1/bridport/
those that can read will find there is an obvious breach of trust / conflict of interest in the above dealings.

another site quotes Mr White; Milne and Lyall Solicitors in Bridport closes. Mr White, who started working for Mr Lyall in 1972, said: “We are just going to have to close, it is a great shame but there is absolutely no choice..."