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How to Make a Complaint

Our Complaints Policy

We are committed to providing a high-quality legal service to all our clients. When something goes wrong we need you to tell us about it. This will help us to improve our standards.

Our Complaints Procedure

If you have a complaint please contact the Head of the Team with conduct of your matter, alternatively, please write to the relevant supervisor, who is named in the firm’s Engagement letter. Ideally, this should be in writing, detailing specifically the issues of concern you have, as this will ensure we address all issues in full.

Time limits

We will respond to your complaint subject to the following time limits, which are in line with the current guidelines set by the Legal Ombudsman:

(a)   One year from the date of the problem you are complaining about occurring; or

(b)   One year from the date when you first realised there was a problem.

What will happen next?

  1. We will send you a letter acknowledging your complaint. We will also let you know the name of the person who will be dealing with your complaint. You can expect to receive our letter within one week of us receiving your complaint.
  2. We will record your complaint in our central register. We will do this as soon as it practical after receiving your complaint.
  3. We will then investigate your complaint, if necessary we may contact you to request further information. The Head of Team may delegate the investigation if circumstances require it. Our Designated Complaints Handler, Jill Graham, oversees the firm’s complaints procedure and the Head of Team will consult with her if appropriate.
  4. We will send you a detailed reply to your complaint within four weeks of the acknowledgement letter being sent to you. This will include our suggestions for resolving the matter.
  5. The detailed reply will be the end of our complaints procedure. However, external methods of resolution can be sought instead as set out below:
  • You can contact the Legal Ombudsman, within 6 months of our final response. Your complaint should also be brought to the Legal Ombudsman no later than;

(a)   One year from the date of the problem you are complaining about occurring; or

(b)   One year from the date when you first realised there was a problem.

The Legal Ombudsman can be contacted by telephone on 0300 555 0333, by minicom on 0300 555 1777, by email at enquiries@legalombudsman.org.uk or by post at Legal Ombudsman, PO Box 6167, Slough SL1 0EH. Please refer to the ‘scheme rules’ on the Legal Ombudsman website at www.legalombudsman.org.uk for information on your eligibility to take your complaint to the Ombudsman. Please do not send any original documents to the Legal Ombudsman. They will scan any documents you send to make computerised copies and then destroy the originals.

  • You may wish to go to independent mediation. We shall let you know how long this process will take.
  • Alternative Complaints Handling Body: Under the SRA Standards & Regulations, we are required to inform you that alternative complaints handling bodies (such Pro mediate: 01928 732455, www.promediate.co.uk) exist which are able to deal with complaints about legal services should both you and we wish to use such a scheme. However, given that the decision of a mediator is not binding on you or us we see no benefit in this and it will be unusual for us to agree to a reference to such a body.
  • Complaining to the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA): The SRA can help if you are concerned about our behaviour. This could be for things like dishonesty, taking or losing your money or treating you unfairly because of your age, a disability or other characteristic. Visit their website to see how you can raise your concerns at: https://www.sra.org.uk/consumers/problems/report-solicitor/ .
  1. All of the timescales set out in this procedure are clearly subject to review depending on how quickly it takes each individual to receive the information they require. There may be unavoidable delays such as absences of colleagues on annual leave or sickness. You will be notified if the timescales as set out above cannot be met.

Updated July 2024