More Straw

[tamaranth]

At the beginning of the week the consensus seemed to be that my flat sale might get to exchange in the next fortnight.

But no.

An Estate Agent Writes: "I am afraid there is a delay. Apparently your solicitor did not look at the replies to enquiries which they received and sent them to your buyers solicitor."

I add: Apparently my solicitor is an idiot not doing her job, because I've now seen a copy of what she sent the buyers' solicitors, and it is stamped all over with 'refer to managing agency' -- even on the enquiries where I have provided information. (How the hell would the managing agency know the plan for handing over the keys? Or whether the property is actually empty?)

Your starter for ten: Can I sack my solicitor? Can I demand a new one? What are the implications?

Comments

[http://users.livejournal.com/la_marquise_de_/]

Oh, that is just infuriating. You solicitor is being incompetent and you have every right to change her -- either within her firm or by going to another firm. Keep hold of the paperwork as this shows she was not following your instructions.

[drpete.livejournal.com]

I would ring and ask wtf she thinks she's doing; why you are such a low priority for her, what she's going to do about it, and how much she's going to take off your bill.

Sacking your solicitor this late in the day may incur even more delay since your new one will have to go through everything again and may lead to your buyer pulling out. If you're in touch with your buyer, an email expressing your exasperation and explaining what's happened may calm their jitters.

[camies.livejournal.com]

My commiserations! I hope you can change sols in mid sale, as it were, because while the solicitor who handled my flat sale and house purchase was quick, efficient, and didn’t charge too much (I can give you her details if you like, she’s based in Cobham) – some are nightmares and seem to think simply being a solicitor is good enough for competence to be assumed.
The one who handled my dad’s will took ages over a very simple will, so long that I was fined by the Inland Revenue for late payment; charged me £3k even before the case was closed; and was so crap that the rest of my family, who have been dealing with that firm of solicitors for decades, have withdrawn their custom and will now go elsewhere when they need legal work.

[marypcb.livejournal.com]

ask a new solicitor for a quote and an estimate of how long it will take (would recomend one but he's in Bath). Ask current solicitor for a reduction in the bill based on what they've done wrong and compare the two. You can certainly drop current idiot, but find out if it will take longer than your worst case scenario with current idiot.

Write up the issues, copy the documents and consult the law society because you can get compensation for bad soliciting that causes financial problems. Law society helpline 0845 608 6565 offers to tell you "what help is available to resolve your complaint". Average award is £450 but you have to have tackled the issues with current idiot and given them a chance to fix. http://www.legalcomplaints.org.uk/financial-compensation.page

And I'd drop a quick note to the buyer saying it's issues you're actively working on fixing so they feel they're in the loop, without actually promising them anything.

[zoo-music-girl.livejournal.com]

If you do change solicitors I can wholeheartedly recommend David Wootton at Tollers, who was recommended to me by DrPete, as he was absolutely brilliant during my flat selling hassles.

Good luck.