My troubles with a small law firm

[Amethyst]

Re: My troubles with a small law firm

Are they registered elsewhere or are they holding themselves out as a solicitor falsely ?

[heisenberg]

Re: My troubles with a small law firm

I have done a search on the law society website and only one registered solicitor (registered with the SRA) is listed. I understand the website does not hold a complete list though.

This organisation employs more than one person and the person I deal with on a day-to-day basis seems not to be listed on the law society website.

What really concerns me is that this organisation can knowingly deliver a really poor and reckless service (as it has been doing) and there is absolutely nothing I or others in my position can do about it. Needless to say, professional standards are simply non-existent.

[Amethyst]

Re: My troubles with a small law firm

Ok so the person you are dealing with isn't a solicitor ? A litigation executive or a paralegal maybe - in which case they won't be listed. The firm is listed though?

[heisenberg]

Re: My troubles with a small law firm

Ok so the person you are dealing with isn't a solicitor ? A litigation executive or a paralegal maybe - in which case they won't be listed. The firm is listed though?

I'm not sure what his qualifications are. Presumably if you are highly qualified you would not be working for an unregulated organisation.

The firm is listed on the law society website though it is outside the legal ombudsman's jurisdiction (meaning they can get away with murder).

[EXC]

Re: My troubles with a small law firm

Who is the firm?

If they're listed by the Law Society they must be regulated.

[heisenberg]

Re: My troubles with a small law firm

Who is the firm?

Hi EXC,

I have sent you the name of the firm in a private message.

[heisenberg]

Re: My troubles with a small law firm

Who is the firm?

If they're listed by the Law Society they must be regulated.

Not according to the legal ombudsman. They have sent me written confirmation that they are not regulated.

[EXC]

Re: My troubles with a small law firm

Correct, they're a charity.

Type: Not an SRA-regulated law practice

[heisenberg]

Re: My troubles with a small law firm

Correct, they're a charity.

So if you are a charity and provide legal services it means the legal ombudsman can't look into your conduct? Seems a really poor show on LeO's behalf.

[EXC]

Re: My troubles with a small law firm

It's not LeO's fault. Their jurisdiction will only allow them to accept complaints about SRA regulated firms.

Though I must say that I'm surprised the Law Society list unregulated firms when their website says:

Run by the Law Society, find a Solicitor is a free service for anyone looking for information about organisations or people providing legal services in England and Wales that are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA).

[heisenberg]

Re: My troubles with a small law firm

It's not LeO's fault. Their jurisdiction will only allow them to accept complaints about SRA regulated firms.

Though I must say that I'm surprised the Law Society list unregulated firms when their website says:

Indeed.

Personally I feel that if you cannot be regulated you should not be in operation. Law firms are regulated for very good reason otherwise it is very much a case of 'do what you like'.

Moreover, vulnerable people that have no consumer choice are being shoehorned into dealing with this organisation and, from the reviews I have seen, the feedback has not been good.

Ah, but no guessing why they are sent in this direction - because their services are the cheapest in the country. Bloody Ministry of Justice!

[EXC]

Re: My troubles with a small law firm

They're not a law firm, they're a charitable community law centre and as such I don't think it's reasonable or realistic to hold them to the same standards or expect to receive the same level of service as a professional law firm.

[heisenberg]

Re: My troubles with a small law firm

Here's to you MoJ:



- - - Updated - - -

They're not a law firm, they're a charitable community law centre and as such I don't think it's reasonable or realistic to hold them to the same standards or expect to receive the same level of service than a professional law firm.

Why should we receive poor service simply because we are unable to pay for legal services and access to justice?

I note that the only other two providers in the country are regulated. Again, why should the poorest and most vulnerable in society be shoehorned into this organisation? In my case I am beginning to think they are more troublesome than helpful.

[EXC]

Re: My troubles with a small law firm

That's how the world works I'm afraid.

[heisenberg]

Re: My troubles with a small law firm

That's how the world works I'm afraid.

Indeed, the poor have no access to justice. Arguably, in some cases the poor even get poorer by trying to access justice when the other side instruct a high profile barrister to recover legal costs.