Complaints
We want to give you the best possible service. However, if at any point you become unhappy or concerned about the service we have provided then you should inform us immediately, so that we can do our best to resolve the problem.
In the first instance it may be helpful to contact the person who is working on your matter to discuss your concerns and we will do our best to resolve any issues at this stage.
Our complaints procedure
If you wish to make a more formal complaint, please send full written details to Fiona Sutherland, or, if your complaint relates to Fiona, to Bernard McIlroy. She (or he) will then obtain the file and discuss the matter with the person involved, and (where different) the person in charge of the matter involved in your complaint. Your complaint will then be dealt with as set out below. If we have to change any of the timescales set out below we will let you know and explain why.
What will happen next?
- We will send you a letter acknowledging your complaint and, if necessary, asking you to confirm or explain any details. If we believe it would be appropriate or helpful, we will suggest a meeting at this stage.
- We will record your complaint in our central register and open a file for your complaint. We will also investigate your complaint by examining the relevant file.
- We will write to you with the result of our investigation, usually within 14 days of receipt of your written complaint. Our letter will fully set out our views on the situation, and any redress that we would feel to be appropriate. If appropriate or necessary, we will then also invite you to meet Fiona or Bernard as appropriate to discuss and hopefully resolve your complaint.
- If any meeting takes place, we will write to you within two days of that meeting to confirm what took place and any suggestions that we have agreed with you.
- At that stage, if you are still not satisfied, you should let us know. Fiona or Bernard (as appropriate) will consider any further concerns that you wish to raise and will review our decision in the light of these. We would generally aim to do this within 14 days.
- We will write to you to let you know the result of that review once it has been completed. That will be our final position on your complaint, and our letter to you will explain the reasons for our decision.
Making a complaint will not affect how we handle your matter.
What to do if we cannot resolve your complaint
The Legal Ombudsman can help you if we are unable to resolve your complaint ourselves. They will look at your complaint independently and it will not affect how we handle your matter.
Before accepting a complaint for investigation, the Legal Ombudsman will check that you have tried to resolve your complaint with us first. If you have, then you must take your complaint to the Legal Ombudsman:
- Within six months of receiving a final response to your complaint
and - No more than six years from the date of act/omission; or
- No more than three years from when you should reasonably have known there was cause for complaint.
If you would like more information about the Legal Ombudsman, please contact them.
Contact details
Visit: www.legalombudsman.org.uk
Call: 0300 555 0333 between 9.00 to 17.00.
Email: enquiries@legalombudsman.org.uk
Legal Ombudsman PO Box 6806, Wolverhampton, WV1 9WJ
What to do if you are unhappy with our behaviour
The Solicitors Regulation Authority 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 with the Solicitors Regulation Authority.