Legal Compensation - land registry fail
Legal Compensation - land registry fail
Author
Discussion

JSP440

Original Poster:

60 posts

40 months

Monday 22nd September
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Hi, has anyone had any experience with chasing a conveyancing solicitor for compensation?

Long story short: about 3 years ago a conveyancing firm extended my lease but never actually registered it, even though they told me they had. The Land Registry had asked them to correct some paperwork, but they never replied. This mistake caused a house sale and purchase to fall through, and I’ve spent the last 2 years chasing them to fix the job I’d already paid them for.

In January this year their internal complaints department accepted fault and asked me what I wanted as compensation. A solicitor friend suggested around £25k due to loss of house sale/removal costs/ value of the flat falling a full itemised and evidence based spreadsheet was sent to the solicitors. Since then (10th January onwards) I’ve sent over 30 emails. Every reply I’ve had back is basically the same: “that’s a large figure, we’re looking into it and will get back to you.” I even cc’d the whole company at one point to try and get movement, but got the same stock response. Last week I gave them a clear deadline of Monday just gone to either give me a compensation figure or at least a timeline but I’ve heard nothing back.

I raised it with the Legal Ombudsman about 6 weeks ago, but they’ve told me it could be up to 14 weeks before they pick it up. In the meantime the solicitors are just ignoring my emails completely or replying to every other one.

Has anyone been in a similar position, or know if there’s any other way I can put pressure on them to respond instead of just waiting for the Ombudsman? It’s been really stressful and I feel like they’re just stringing me along.

TLDR How do I get a solicitor who has accepted fault to actually give me a compensation figure after they admitted fault.

Amateurish

8,213 posts

242 months

Monday 22nd September
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I think at this stage the best thing to do is wait for the LeO to deal with it.

Your alternative is the start a civil claim against the firm, but I wouldn't recommend that. It will be more expensive and slower than the ombudsman.

MickTravis665321

60 posts

36 months

Monday 22nd September
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If you haven't done already, detailing this in a Google and Trustpilot review may light a fire up them. £25k is only 10 lost potential clients.

Tango13

9,771 posts

196 months

Monday 22nd September
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It's been 8 months since you put your claim in? Email them back right now saying the amount you're claiming has gone up by a further £8k and will rise by £1k on the 1st of every month until they cough up some money.

£1k a month is totally unreasonable but fk 'em, they've fked you about and caused you all sorts of grief so they can now find out what it's like to deal with someone being equally awkward.

StevieBee

14,616 posts

275 months

Monday 22nd September
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Would suggest you move this to the Business thread. Lot's of experts knowledgeable on these things there who rarely venture to these parts!

JSP440

Original Poster:

60 posts

40 months

Monday 22nd September
quotequote all
MickTravis665321 said:
If you haven't done already, detailing this in a Google and Trustpilot review may light a fire up them. £25k is only 10 lost potential clients.
I did think this, but wasn't sure if this would go down well on my side and cheapen my argument as being seen as unprofessional


JSP440

Original Poster:

60 posts

40 months

Monday 22nd September
quotequote all
Tango13 said:
It's been 8 months since you put your claim in? Email them back right now saying the amount you're claiming has gone up by a further £8k and will rise by £1k on the 1st of every month until they cough up some money.

£1k a month is totally unreasonable but fk 'em, they've fked you about and caused you all sorts of grief so they can now find out what it's like to deal with someone being equally awkward.
I would love to, I never really had thought about compensation in the first place, I just wanted to raise a complaint. because it was shocking service.

when I sat down and broke it all down with another solicitor they were the ones that pointed out the real loss of money occurred.

the company at fault were the ones that came back and asked what figure I wanted. I thought this would possibly open up negotiation, but all I get back is "once again the amount you are asking for is going to take serious discussions before we get back to you"

I feel like if I added extra money on now my grandchildren would of retired by the time they get back to me, if ever.

SydneyBridge

10,677 posts

178 months

Monday 22nd September
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Now the Legal Ombudsman are involved, let them sort it, the solicitors will hate them being involved and have to pay the LO to investigate

Shnozz

29,742 posts

291 months

Monday 22nd September
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Whole thing sounds odd.

The solicitors themselves shouldn't be involved. If an issue has been identified, it should be in the hands of their professional indemnity insurers and, if needed, a law firm appointed by the PII.