424 reviews (4/5) and information for Birchall Blackburn, Manchester
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20 Kennedy Street, Manchester, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M2 4BY
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Conveyancing/property
31/10/23 - Reviewed by Anonymous
This has been one of the worst experiences imaginable. Throughout the process information has been sparse and slow, we always need to chase and there is no sense of urgency.
Completion was due to take play yesterday (monday), it still has not on Tuesday. Our bank sent the fund on Friday however BB lost them in a barclays holding account for the whole of Monday, missing the completion date entirely! Once they found the fund they transfered them to the incorrect sort code on the far side.
So now we still have no idea when or even if they can complete and we will have to cancel our move and incur the costs and massive massive inconvenience this has caused.
Still there is no sense of urgency, they are sitting around, doing nothing till at least lunch time before changing their bank again. There is no excuse for this level of incompetence.
Please avoid this company at all costs, I wouldn't wish this experience on anyone
Conveyancing/property
17/11/22 - Reviewed by Nara
It was a terrible experience since the beginning. It took ages for the first team to kick off my documentation process and they were very disorganised, asking several times for docs that they had already. This delayed the process in many days and resulted in high costs with Airbnbs and huge levels of stress to me. Then when it moved to the solicitor, he didn't advise/inform me on critical things that ended up being very disruptive e.g. that the seller had a mortgage and a date to leave the property and to leave it earlier – around the date that the solicitor told me would be possible – they would be breaking the contract and need to pay a fee. Because I was desperate with nowhere to go, I paid the fee, but this should be on BBL. Finally, now, 3 months after the completion date, the estate management still hasn't got the service charge money from BLL (that I paid the day BEFORE the completion date), therefore they couldn't transfer the property to my name and haven't sent any orientations/correspondence re the flat to me. 3 months!
Conveyancing/property
25/09/22 - Reviewed by Poor communication and unhelpful
The most unhelpful and rude conveyancing solicitor I have come across. From start to finish there was lady of informative commutation. Delay after delay. Some were justified but getting the information was like getting blood out of a stone. Transfer of completion funds left to the last minute resulting in delays further up the chain. Totally inconsiderate for the rest of the chain.
Conveyancing/property
01/07/21 - Reviewed by Disgruntled
1 Star is far too many for this company. Trying to get information from them is like trying to get blood out of a stone. VERY POOR service. Refusal to correspond to agents is high on the list. AVOID AT ALL COSTS if you want a quick professional service.
Conveyancing/property
15/02/21 - Reviewed by Refuse to answer
I bought my property with BB 8 years ago and had no issues so chose to use them again when selling. They have been atrocious at every step of the way.
Refusal to answer the phone and communicate is chief among my complaints.
This being the first property I have tried to sell there have been numerous occasions when I have not understood simple forms or requirements and had to ask multiple times for explanations.
These were only forth coming after I raised a complaint.
I am now 7 months in and still trying to sell a no chain flat. BB keeps coming back to me with further requests for documents which I believed And was told 2months were no longer needed.
It has been a hugely stressful process exacerbated by lack of communication and poor administration.
Having had to source all legal documentation myself once I had googled enough to understand what it is and then submit I still have not reached a point to complete on the property.
BB’s service was dreadful and has amounted to no more than a disorganised email forwarding service.
I can not recommend looking elsewhere enough.
15/02/21 - Response by Birchall Blackburn Law
Hi Martyn,
Thanks for letting us know about this. We’re sorry to hear about your concerns with our service. Your case has been referred to the Client Services team and they will be in touch with you soon.
Many thanks,
Birchall Blackburn Law
Conveyancing/property
14/10/20 - Reviewed by Lydia Playfoot
Absolutely AWFUL firm. DO NOT USE THEM. They took 8 months to complete on a very straight forward house purchase with no chain. Incompetent, slow, and bad manners the whole way through. Horrendously stressful experience.
Conveyancing/property
06/10/20 - Reviewed by angela bunting
terrible service, total lack of communication, slow to start searches and in fact, to do anything despite being instructed weeks ago. Would avoid at all costs in the future, isn't the space to list the outright nonsensical reasons they've given for a total lack of progress in my sale. Dire.
Conveyancing/property
05/07/20 - Reviewed by Allan & Lynn Dindar
Service was disgusting, no communication, took from October 2019 to June 2020 to complete, kept blaming other solicitors in the chain, ignored calls and emails, very bad service, never recommend them
Conveyancing/property
19/06/20 - Reviewed by KF
Avoid, Avoid, Avoid. Absolutely dreadful and incompetent firm. This review will be deleted I'm sure as I'm a third party casualty of their Non communicative, evasive, inept practice. Should be investigated by the Law Society
19/06/20 - Response by Anonymous
Please could you ask your instructed solicitor to call our Client Service Team on 0800 614 722 or email enquiries@birchallblackburn.co.uk, we can then investigate this for you. Thank you.
Birchall Blackburn Law
04/09/20 - Response by Anonymous
Not the only one to be a 3rd party hugely stung by their incompetent ways. Both buyers and ourselves hugely put of pocket because of the appalling service.
Family
01/05/20 - Reviewed by Mr disappointed
If you want something doing from this firm
It will take 10x longer than you think.
I recomend posting all your communications and demands in social media
Trust pilot
Facebook
Twitter.
It seems to help them to reply. Threatening to take legal action against the places you post the demands.
You have ever weight to be disgruntled with this firm and any firm.
Vent your anger and frustration.
I can not recommend this firm.
Conveyancing/property
18/11/19 - Reviewed by John bannister
They spelt my wife's name wrong and they job share and when that person is out all the stuff is on their computer. Just found out that upon selling our house they have missed information about our house which has cost me more money. Not a good company for us I wouldn't recommend them.
19/11/19 - Response by Anonymous
Hi,
We're sorry to hear this - please call Stacey, our Head of Client Services, on 0161 238 5634 and she will discuss your complaint with you.
Many thanks,
Client Services
Birchall Blackburn Law
Conveyancing/property
29/10/19 - Reviewed by Anonymous
First person we had was fantastic however we decided to change properties and the second person has been worse then useless. We wanted to be in over 4 weeks ago. There is no chain and the property is empty we have no question or request so simple but still waiting!! Trying to get hold of this solicitor has been a nightmare and often emailing all the email address we can find for this place. AVOID AT ALL COSTS! Where recommend by halifax so disappointed
31/10/19 - Response by Birchall Blackburn Law
Hi there,
We're sorry to hear this - please do contact Stacey, our Head of Client Services, on 0161 238 5634.
Many thanks,
Client Services
Birchall Blackburn Law
Conveyancing/property
09/09/19 - Reviewed by Jimbo
17 weeks and counting these clowns have been dealing with our conveyancing - not a complicated transaction, no disputes etc, just simply they operate at a snail's pace.
They have the efficiency of a chocolate teapot, Lloyds should be ashamed to recommend them.
Conveyancing/property
02/08/19 - Reviewed by Anonymous
Stupidly Slow!! Would never use again! Lots of mistakes, meaning more wasted time!! Highly advise against using these fools!
Conveyancing/property
04/05/17 - Reviewed by Mike
The worst firm I came across. I was put through so much stress as a result of the delays of this firm. It cost me further financial loss (£1500) to hire another firm. Don't even go near them and don't even consider them.
Conveyancing/property
25/04/17 - Reviewed by Mike
“To call you stupid would be an insult to stupid peopleâ€
You might have read many who will warn of not even going near this firm who are a bunch of imbeciles let alone calling themselves legal professionals (A joke of the year as far as I am concerned). Wait until you read about my experience of being a victim of the Nightmare of Birchall Blackburn Movie, which began when an “independent†broker introduced me to them to arrange the simple task of re-mortgage. Everything seemed to be going well and the offer came on 1st September 2016 from the lender despite them dragging their feet over technical issues. Nevertheless, the firm contacted me and I received the introduction papers, which is designed to allure you into a sense of security by giving all the contacts you need if you have a problem. But as soon as you hit a rock then the cracks begins to appear and that’s what I experienced with this nightmare firm.
It began when I had an issue with my buy to let mortgage, and rather than them helping to resolve it (which they could have) they made me get external litigation advice which costed me over £1000. I contacted the firm to request a call back from the partner Michael Foxford (I advise you to look at his previous work history-it will alarm you) or any litigation lawyer that can assist me. Eventually, I got a call from one of the staff and I explained that I have a problem which requires a litigation lawyer’s advice and offered to pay for the service as well. My requests fell on deaf ears, and instead I was informed that this matter is really serious which can threaten the offer (wrong advice which any one can easily find on the UK government website). The money I spent could have been paid to this firm but their conduct in the case lost them an opportunity to make more money, let alone my confident in them as law firm -so to call them stupid is an insult to stupid people, don’t you think?
After I began to get suspicious that the case handlers were deliberately delaying the completion, nearly causing me to miss the deadline I had to get other solicitors to move the case forward. What was worse than this is I discovered that the staff had no clue what they were doing because they or their seniors did not know how to think out of the box. A particular staff named Mahbuba Choudhury (3 years’ experience) was not only rude but did not even know how to be a professional when my solicitor called and pointed out the obvious.
Needless to say, I had continuous stress for 3 months and no thanks to the partners who ignored my complaints. It was only by accident that I was put through to a complaints officer and a when a very stern letter from my solicitor was sent was when things started moving. I should not have had to go through this stress and financial loss of getting other lawyers involved.
This firm should be struck off by reporting them to the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). DO NOT GO NEAR THEM EVEN IF YOUR MORTGAGOR OR BROKER INSTRUCTS THEM – WORTH PAYING FOR A BETTER FIRM. Always look at reviews or a recommendation when searching for a good firm. My conclusion from this experience is:
• When told by a broker about the firm I should have researched Solicitors reviews websites such as (solicitor.info) and others as well which have all given them 1 star. Then, I should have informed the broker of this and requested a better firm or found one myself even if I have to pay more for the service.
• Never believe the website that gives them higher than 3 stars (only one website and its information is out of date) so be vigilant.
• Seek independent legal advice and threaten to remove them and contact your broker and inform them that the firm is causing the delay.
This is a dreadful incompetent firm and many have written that this firm is not to be trusted and is unreliable. If you want a peace of mind and hassle-free conveyancing, then stay away from this firm.
My advice to you who has just became one of the victims of the Nightmare of Birchall Blackburn Law like myself is to do one simple thing- DON’T GET ANGRY, GET EVEN. It’s a simple task to search on Google the Solicitors Regulation Authority and go to ‘complain about a solicitor’ section and pour your anger there. Don’t be afraid of them, they are only a business, and by the way the more people complain the more their justification gets weaker and makes it easier for the firm to be struck off. I did it already, so please take this advice write to the SRA and SHUT THEM DOWN.
General Legal advice
15/03/17 - Reviewed by secret
Shocking - over a month in to the sale and they have not contacted the seller's solicitor. I have instructed them and they refuse to get back to me. Never use again.
26/06/17 - Response by Anonymous
This firm has a history, look at the previous 1star rating they got. Oh I came a cross Mike who wrote a great piece of complain against them as well. Worth reading
Conveyancing/property
20/02/17 - Reviewed by A.S.
Absolutely disgusting service - as an estate agent I would never recommend this firm, the staff are rude and unhelpful. Trying to get an update for a mutual client was apparently too much to ask and the member of staff hung up on me as I was trying to explain a situation! Avoid like the plague!
Conveyancing/property
07/02/17 - Reviewed by Anonymous
I like to think of myself as a rational and fair person, so here is my honest review of Birchall Blackburn Solicitors. I selected this solicitor after they were suggested by my Estate Agent as a good recommendation for handling my house sale as well as a separate house purchase. I was assigned Ted Kingsnorth to look after my flat sale and the early management of my case was handled relatively well by Ted and his assistant Daniel Edwards. However, towards the end of the process, there were one or two searches which had been outstanding for an excessive period of time. Having raised the necessary inquiries with Ted Kingsnorth to understand why the process had not progressed, I was met with the most ABUSIVE and SHOCKING phone call that I have ever encountered with a professional. When asked simple questions which most sellers in my position would ask, Ted Kingsnorth refused to answer the questions and instead proceeded SHOUT aggressively down the phone and demand that I refrain from contacting my own freeholder (to raise inquiries myself), otherwise he would "pull out". When I questioned him as to what he meant by pulling out, given that I was the customer and he was in no position to "pull out" from anything, he continued to shout at me in an incoherent manner. I thought for a second that I might be in the midst of a row with an unhinged individual - not an educated, professional with years of experience in his field. Ted Kingsnorth's shouting continued to escalate to the point that I could no longer continue the conversation and had to hang up the phone, which was a first for me given the fact that I am able to resolve disputes in a civilised manner. Now this is where things take a peculiar turn. I received a surprise phone call from Ted the very next day. When he called, I was hesitant to answer given the abuse I received the previous day. However, I cautiously answered his call only to be met with a nice and breezy tone from Ted - almost nonchalant with no remnants of the phone call from only 24hrs earlier. I thought for one second that I was in the twilight zone and the verbal attack from yesterday had not happened. It turns out that Ted had called to tell me that the searches had now been completed and I was ready to exchange contracts i.e. the work he should have done many weeks ago had now finally been completed. Strange. Anyway, to conclude; I would understandably not recommend this solicitor to anyone unless you like a challenge and have no problem dealing with the stuff of nightmares. However, despite my poor review of Ted 'Peculiar' Kingsnorth, I highly recommend his assistant Daniel Edwards who is a gentleman and a scholar and should be quickly promoted to whatever position Ted is currently occupying. So thanks Daniel for proving that not all solicitors are like Ted. I am now not too scared to sell my house when the time comes.
Conveyancing/property
23/01/17 - Reviewed by Lucy
the absolute worst solicitors ive ever had the displeasure of dealing with - avoid like the plague. never return calls or keep you updated you have to keep on chasing up for anything to happen, surprised they are allowed to do business really. quite rude on the phone and with emails too. pay for a proper solicitor please!!
Conveyancing/property
23/01/17 - Reviewed by Gary
Sadly I can't give the firm 1 star. This firm is a recommended solicitor for Lloyds and they have a tie in clearly for profit purposes only. Not only would they not start the legal work until the mortgage was approved (wasting 6 weeks within our chain), they NEVER return phone calls or emails without them having to be chased. When you do get email back, they are snappy and short and certainly not helpful. They ask for things just to delay the process and it literally has taken 4 parties (buyer, seller, agent and another solicitor) chasing up on a daily basis for weeks, to get close to exchange (after over 3 months for a really simple transaction). Without this I think we'd be looking at 4-5 months for a simple 3 person chain (chain free at both ends!)
If you are a first time buyer in particular - please avoid this firm. For the sake of a few hundred pounds saved, potentially the purchase or sale will fail and your stress levels will go through the roof! If offered a special deal through the mortgage company, say thanks but no thanks and pay for a local well reputed firm to carry out your work. In the scheme of buying a house this is important.
Please avoid this company, they are literally the worst I have EVER dealt with. It almost cost us our purchase and sale and certainly has caused everyone in the chain so much stress.
Conveyancing/property
19/01/17 - Reviewed by Anonymous
Could not agree more with the reviews already on here, this lot truly are a bunch of cowboys. We are first time buyers, had no chain either side and were recommended these clowns by our mortgage advisor. Offer accepted 6 months ago and still no exchange or completion date in site. They never return calls, they lie about what work they have done/will do, they stall on everything and have probably caused a 2 month delay at least so far to our house buying process.
Pay more and use a proper solicitors, not these useless mouth breathers.
Conveyancing/property
15/01/17 - Reviewed by Mike
“To call you stupid would be an insult to stupid peopleâ€
You might have read many who will warn of not even going near this firm who are a bunch of imbeciles let alone calling themselves legal professionals (A joke of the year as far as I am concerned). Wait until you read about my experience of being a victim of the Nightmare of Birchall Blackburn Movie, which began when an “independent†broker introduced me to them to arrange the simple task of re-mortgage. Everything seemed to be going well and the offer came on 1st September 2016 from the lender despite them dragging their feet over technical issues. Nevertheless, the firm contacted me and I received the introduction papers, which is designed to allure you into a sense of security by giving all the contacts you need if you have a problem. But as soon as you hit a rock then the cracks begins to appear and that’s what I experienced with this nightmare firm.
It began when I had an issue with my buy to let mortgage, and rather than them helping to resolve it (which they could have) they made me get external litigation advice which costed me over £1000. I contacted the firm to request a call back from the partner Michael Foxford (I advise you to look at his previous work history-it will alarm you) or any litigation lawyer that can assist me. Eventually, I got a call from one of the staff and I explained that I have a problem which requires a litigation lawyer’s advice and offered to pay for the service as well. My requests fell on deaf ears, and instead I was informed that this matter is really serious which can threaten the offer (wrong advice which any one can easily find on the UK government website). The money I spent could have been paid to this firm but their conduct in the case lost them an opportunity to make more money, let alone my confident in them as law firm -so to call them stupid is an insult to stupid people, don’t you think?
After I began to get suspicious that the case handlers were deliberately delaying the completion, nearly causing me to miss the deadline I had to get other solicitors to move the case forward. What was worse than this is I discovered that the staff had no clue what they were doing because they or their seniors did not know how to think out of the box. A particular staff named Mahbuba Choudhury (3 years’ experience) was not only rude but did not even know how to be a professional when my solicitor called and pointed out the obvious.
Needless to say, I had continuous stress for 3 months and no thanks to the partners who ignored my complaints. It was only by accident that I was put through to a complaints officer and a when a very stern letter from my solicitor was sent was when things started moving. I should not have had to go through this stress and financial loss of getting other lawyers involved.
This firm should be struck off by reporting them to the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). DO NOT GO NEAR THEM EVEN IF YOUR MORTGAGOR OR BROKER INSTRUCTS THEM – WORTH PAYING FOR A BETTER FIRM. Always look at reviews or a recommendation when searching for a good firm. My conclusion from this experience is:
• When told by a broker about the firm I should have researched Solicitors reviews websites such as (solicitor.info) and others as well which have all given them 1 star. Then, I should have informed the broker of this and requested a better firm or found one myself even if I have to pay more for the service.
• Never believe the website that gives them higher than 3 stars (only one website and its information is out of date) so be vigilant.
• Seek independent legal advice and threaten to remove them and contact your broker and inform them that the firm is causing the delay.
This is a dreadful incompetent firm and many have written that this firm is not to be trusted and is unreliable. If you want a peace of mind and hassle-free conveyancing, then stay away from this firm.
My advice to you who has just became one of the victims of the Nightmare of Birchall Blackburn Law like myself is to do one simple thing- DON’T GET ANGRY, GET EVEN. It’s a simple task to search on Google the Solicitors Regulation Authority and go to ‘complain about a solicitor’ section and pour your anger there. Don’t be afraid of them, they are only a business, and by the way the more people complain the more their justification gets weaker and makes it easier for the firm to be struck off. I did it already, so please take this advice write to the SRA and
SHUT THEM DOWN.
01/11/17 - Response by Jeannie
Hi i need to complaine too i have also just informed my est agent to find me another solicitor as the firm in churchtown southport are terrible, my landlord was told by them to ask me for a deposit as i was renting his shop, once i agreed they said to my landlord they would now need to compile a deposit deed at a further cost he was not happy and told them he didnt want a deposit from me and to quickly proceed which they replied that if he was not happy paying the fee they could put it onto me total #@#@#. So i am going to write to someone to complain i have the proof too my landlord forward there mail to me.
General Legal advice
07/01/17 - Reviewed by Alex
Terrible service, no work is done in file until you call them and pester. General incompetence: address wrong in land registry forms. Yes it's cheap but I'm 4 months into a no-chain sale and no exchange in sight. Avoid like the plague and don't be fooled by the reviews on comparison sites that are clearly done by them.
Conveyancing/property
21/12/16 - Reviewed by Anonymous
AWFUL AWFUL AWFUL, TOTALLY INCOMPETENT. RECOMMENDED BY OUR MORTGAGE ADVISOR, I WISH I'D SEEN THESE REVIEWS BEFORE THEY MADE A TOTAL PIGS EAR OF EVERYTHING.
Conveyancing/property
15/12/16 - Reviewed by BBL User
I used the BBL/Southport office in the past and was happy with service, but this time I used Preston BBL and this was a big mistake:
- no proper system for updates
- no reply to emails, you might get a reply to one in 10 emails.
- no reply to voice mails
- unable to speak to anyone over the phone. You get to secretary and she puts you through to solicitors, but no one answers the phone.
- 5 months to complete on sale/purchase.
Will never use them again and will advise all the people I know to be aware of this firm.
Conveyancing/property
15/12/16 - Reviewed by JC
Birchall Blackburn were recommended to us by our mortgage advisor. He normally gives us good advice but on this occasion he didn't!!! BB have no communication skills, they are disorganised, they will never return your calls and they will never chase anyone unless you chase them. So there we , there are 4 good reasons not to use them.
Conveyancing/property
27/11/16 - Reviewed by Kegsclan
Would not recommend. Representing our buyers and currently stalling the small chain. They provide no communication and have shown a total lack of professional integrity. Have dealt with a range of solicitors in my time and they are the most incompetent firm that I have ever had misfortune to be involved with.
Conveyancing/property
22/11/16 - Reviewed by S eildon
Terrible service so far no communication unless you constantly call them, even then information is out of date and inaccurate , call backs rare and sporadic it's all very frustratin. Conveyancer is out of office more than in and assistants (there have been a few) admit they don't know how to use some systems. Our estate agents say they are the worse solicitors that they have ever dealt with I only wish that I had read reviews before employing them They are so slow I'm starting to give up hope of ever moving
General Legal advice
15/11/16 - Reviewed by mr peed off
Do not use these bunch of Cowboys at any cost we are on the verge of losing the chain due to these people absolute crap service they are our buyers solicitor. DO NOT USE THEM they won't even speak to my solicitor or buyer
If your buyer is using them tell them to use someone else or you will regret it
I only gave them one star as it would not let me proceed but one star is a total over rating
Conveyancing/property
14/11/16 - Reviewed by Claire
Worst solicitors ever dealt with! So slow at doing anything, rarely answer phone or respond to emails. Have had a document for over a week and still not looked at it. started proceeding early August and still no completion date even though paperwork and enquiries are complete. I wish I had seen all these reviews before instructing!
General Legal advice
01/11/16 - Reviewed by Angry Guy
I was relying on this joke of a company to remove my name off some deeds. They sent the forms to the wrong address and it took me 3 weeks after to find out they hadn't got a response. I did all the work for them in the end as they don't pro actively manage anything. Oh and if the person dealing with your case is off don't expect anyone to pick up the work.
So if you're after a completely incompetent solicitor, who doesn't like to chase, respond back to emails then these are your people.
Conveyancing/property
29/10/16 - Reviewed by L Rey
AWFUL AWFUL AWFUL. These were the buyers' solicitors (I am the seller). It was fortunate that I knew the buyers and that they were able to apologise to us for using this company. They were first time buyers and had been passed on to this company by their broker. What an awful first experience they have had. SLOW SLOW SLOW. My solicitor had to constantly follow up things, ask them to re-issue incorrect documents and chase things up. They repeatedly got the figures wrong and insisted they were right. Thank goodness my solicitor stood his ground in order to get the correct figures on the documents. Emails went for days without an answer. We were ready to complete but were kept waiting for weeks for BB to get moving. This impacted on things our end. At one point my solicitor even emailed me to ask if I was still selling the property ... he had waited that long! We'll all be steering clear of this company in the future.
Conveyancing/property
24/10/16 - Reviewed by frustrated purchaser
Avoid! Never returned a call, rarely responded to an e-mail. Given a completion date only then to be told on said completion date that we hadn't even exchanged! Then denied giving us the completion date?! Kept being told everything was in place to go ahead, only to find out a day later it was not. Given false information, which they then denied giving me! Buying/selling property is always going to be stressful - these cowboys do not make the process any easier.
Conveyancing/property
19/10/16 - Reviewed by Carolyn vale
Really crappy service, no communication conveyancing team don't know how to use a phone. They don't give a damn about you & your circumstances. I strongly recommend if you want fast reliable service do not use this firm. Go local.
Conveyancing/property
11/10/16 - Reviewed by Angry
Avoid Avoid Avoid - worse solicitors ever - always an answer machine - holding my property up for completion requesting information which has been sent numerous times
Conveyancing/property
29/09/16 - Reviewed by Anonymous
My buyers are currently using them and they are absolutely horrendous! We have been ready to complete since mid July and still no actual completion date.
Conveyancing/property
11/07/16 - Reviewed by susan reed-jones
They are not easy to deal with at all. They tell you who you will be dealing with but never hear from that person, instead the only contact you have is some office boy.
got totally confused about the whole organisation and i was only selling not buying. Changed to a real solicitor after getting very frustrated. They only communicate via email not telephone so very difficult to get hold of quickly.
Conveyancing/property
30/06/16 - Reviewed by Anonymous
Shocking service. They have to be the worst company I have ever delt with. They are so slow and holding up the chain where all others are complete. No communication, poor excuses. Avoid at all costs.
Conveyancing/property
13/06/16 - Reviewed by Darryn Almeida
I used the Southport branch for a purchase/sale in Oct 2015 seeing as they were the cheapest on comparison sites. They successfully took inefficiency and procrastination to a new level.
I had repeated assurances of timelines being adhered to but numerous things kept popping up at the last minute which delayed exchange. This is in spite of my initial sale falling through giving them ample time to get their act together.
The senior contact assigned to my case went missing in the middle of the sale leaving me with a Simon Taylor who basically lost the plot. Absolutely horrible at chasing the other side for crucial documents, failed to highlight key points (e.g. no chancel repair liability insurance on purchase), pretty much rude when pushed for answers or asked to explain anything. If it wasn't for another senior contact intervening, I'm pretty sure the whole thing would have fallen through.
I would stay clear.
Conveyancing/property
09/02/16 - Reviewed by Anonymous
dont bother using these people absolute waste of time, they are slower than a snail, very rude and just use stalling tactics so make up for their complete lack of professionalism, when you call them you just get passed around and no one seems to know who or what is going on, they lose paperwork then say they havnt received it, then it just reappears, total and utter rubbish, avoid these people as all costs, its stressful enough moving house without the added grief these people cause !!!!!
General Legal advice
26/01/16 - Reviewed by Anonymous
Absolute waste of time never answer calls or emails 7 months into house selling and still nowhere near
General Legal advice
12/01/16 - Reviewed by Anonymous
If you don't want additional stress added to a house move, don't use Birchall Blackburn.
Conveyancing/property
08/12/15 - Reviewed by Dame123
AVOID AT ALL COSTS!
I can't even tell you how terrible they are.
Even the solicitors of the place we're buying from have said they're contacting the financial ombudsman about them.
Phone calls not responded to, emails ignored, gave us the TOTALLY wrong figure owed and got our mortgage withdrawn once for a reason I still don't understand.
I've had to do all their chasing for them. We'll probably be taking them to small claims over their terrible service.
Go elsewhere, don't even consider them. Pay more for a decent service, you won't regret not using these cowboys.
Conveyancing/property
04/12/15 - Reviewed by Chris
The service from this firm was pitiful. The were instructed on the 5th June and the sale has only just completed on the 1st December. This was for the sale of a flat to a cash buyer, chain-free. They blatantly lied, placing the delays upon any other party but themselves. The solicitor was clearly unknowledgeable, sometimes I questioned if she even knew what day it was. Weeks would pass without any progress, when questioned I would hear the same response that I had heard two weeks earlier.
Conveyancing/property
21/09/15 - Reviewed by Fluff33
This is the worst legal firm I have ever come across. It is a wonder they get any property deals to completion. I am using them for my sale/purchase we are now in month 4 with no sight of completion. For 2 months my solicitor had been contacting the wrong solicitor and never thought to tell me of the issue. Said she sent me an email with 9 attachments but only received 8, some how one dropped off in transit, I don't think so!!! Have to chase them continuously and never get any answers, have asked them several times for answers to queries I have about my purchase, they are just ignoring these queries. They are part of the 'conveyancing quality scheme' and clearly breach the charter. NOTHING QUALITY ABOUT THIS FIRM. I will probably lose my dream home and it will be thanks to the incompetence of this firm.
Conveyancing/property
04/08/15 - Reviewed by M
The worst possible service.
Taken three months from instruction - still not got searches completed,
Passed from Manchester to Preston for no reason - highly inconvenient.
Solicitor assigned - after endless chasing, I was told she had left the business.
Assigned to another - only for the situation to repeat. Four weeks of chasing and the second has left the business.
Given a completion date by them, which they have failed spectacularly to meet.
Called and left messages EVERY DAY FOR TWO WEEKS without getting a SINGLE RETURNED CALL or letter that was promised.
Held on the phone for 23 minutes when I refused offer 'to be called back' only to discover my new solicitor has also 'now left the business' and the person I spoke to admitted he was working through her cases "trying to find out where they are up to",
Three months after appointing them I have almost ZERO confidence I will complete.
I will be writing to the law Society because, based on other reviews, it is clear they do not take any complaints seriously.
And during every call I have to listen to the on-hold recording telling me that "Birchall Blackburn are always there for all my legal needs"
They are a joke.
Conveyancing/property
28/07/15 - Reviewed by Brad
Birchall Blackburn acting on behalf of the purchaser of my property.
What a useless solicitor firm absolutely shambles, no one can get hold of them, neither Estates Agents, nor buyer or my solicitor.
Never returning phone calls, doesn’t not reply to emails either.
Its already 16 weeks of conveyance sand we still haven’t exchanged !!!!.
My personal suggestion is to stay away from this firm, AVOID AVOID AVOID
03/10/17 - Response by Howard
Buying a property is always stressful but buying and using this company is NOT recommended its just not worth the extra problems caused ,I am still in the middle of a potential disaster with these people I was introduced to them by my IFA and from the beginning I began to feel uneasy the word incompetent doesn't come near to describing their inadequacies total ,incompetence and inability to communicate they were not even cheap and having bought a large number of properties over the last 40 years as homes to live in , as buy to lets and investment properties , I have never dealt with a company who are so inefficient downright careless , incapable and rude and I should know better! so in spite of the reviews I have read that say otherwise, find another properly qualified solicitor and dont use this bungling conveyancer its just not worth the stress and the delays and the costs
Conveyancing/property
18/05/15 - Reviewed by B Bunter
I am currently buying a property widh Birchall acting as my solicitor. I wish to God Id read some of these reviews before I decided to use them. They are probably the worst organisation Ive had the misfortue to deal with my entire life. It amazing that staff can be so rude and unhelpful when Im paying them. Even more amazing is their lack of ability to do even the most simple of tasks. Avoid these guys whatever you do. Emma Hill in particular is a nasty piece of work who cant do her job.
General Legal advice
15/05/15 - Reviewed by Anonymous
I would not recommend this solicitor I buy rentals and had to use them on this occasion as they met criteria for lender but they are really bad. Communication is poor, turnaround poor in fact I don't have one positive comment...my advice keep away
Conveyancing/property
22/04/15 - Reviewed by An unhappy customer
If anyone is considering using this solicitors to buy or sell a property then please keep reading and have a look at some of the other reviews posted online! Their customer service is nothing less than a joke. I have never come across such a disorganised, unprofessional and rude company in all my life. My mortgage process was especially long and tedious and I contantly had to prompt them for updates, often going weeks with no correspondence. When I called the staff were so rude and unhelpful and I never actually got to speak to the person dealing with my mortgage. I cannot believe they are still in business.
Conveyancing/property
17/04/14 - Reviewed by Anonymous
Sent emails for an update as had confirmation sellers solicitor had sent everything - received no response so sent a subsequent email saying I would expect them to have acknowledged my email. Received a reply saying 'they had only just got round to looking at my file' - the person sending the email could do with an attitude adjustment - I responded saying I was sorry for 'appearing pushy and being an inconvenience'.
paperwork received for someone else, replied and confirmed I had destroyed and hoped none of my paperwork had been sent elsewhere - no response, not even an apology
have not identified two signatures required as two sellers - have highlighted this, no response. This will probably delay things further and why did they not pick this up?
I received an email and I asked for clarification on a point tracking the email to see when it has been read - still no response and not read, despite the fact their email says 'if you have any queries, please contact us'.
I am a FTB so have no comparison, however I am a professional person working for an Independent Financial Advisers and have done for 10 years and if I treated my clients this way, regardless of the fee being paid, I probably would not have a job.
To say they are cheap and you get what you pay for is an invalid statement, I am still paying for a service, regardless of what it is and as a client I would expect a certain level of courtesy - if they are too busy to carry the workload, they should employ more staff OR not take on more work.
I still haven't exchanged contracts yet, although this is not Birchall Blackburns fault and I remain hopeful that they can redeem themselves in the next few weeks, but thought I would put my experiences to date here.
I am currently less than impressed with them and it seems as though I am not in a minority. I hope that I can come back after completion and change my views.... ever the optimist.
Conveyancing/property
18/12/13 - Reviewed by Anonymous
I dealt with Birchall Blackburn for the purchase of a property back in May of this year after they were recommended to me. It turns out this is one of the worse decisions I have ever made!
Right from the very start to end I had so many problems....
Firstly, a price was agreed for the work to be done and then to be told it would cost more as "there was more work involved than originally quoted for"
I was assured they were very experienced with my "type" of purchase so I paid the additional fee and carried on.
They got my mortgage offer wrong 3 times which caused big delays. Communication was shocking from start to finish and I only heard anything if I chased. On more than one occasion I was told that all the required paper work had being received only to be told days later that that wasn't the case.
On two separate occasions I received other clients (confidential) paper work - Very careless and I'm sure the clients in question wouldn't be impressed!
I have recently received a letter, 8 months after completion to tell that there is still some paper work outstanding and that they require a further £300!
I can assure you that will not be getting paid by me!
Avoid at all cost - They are cheap for a reason.
Conveyancing/property
22/07/13 - Reviewed by Anonymous
The buyer of my property is using this firm, probably because they are cheap. And as usual cheap also means not very good! My solicitor, the estate agent, the buyer and myself have all left them messages for 3 days in a row, as we are all wanting to exchange now, and they don't even have the courtesy of ringing back. It was 2 months after they were instructed by the buyer to act on their behalf before they even started the searches. Their biggest issue is that they simply do not communicate and have to be chased and chased and chased at every point to even get updates from. I would suggest that you avoid them and choose a local and reputable firm for you conveyancing work. Save yourself the headache!
Conveyancing/property
09/07/13 - Reviewed by Raymond K
They seemed really cheap compared to other firms. In hindsight, I should have realised why this was.
No-one to take calls (the phone rings and rings when you are put through to your "team"), if anyone is on holiday the whole system collapses and they have so much (presumably less than profitable) work that its piled high and dealt with on a "which client shouts the loudest" basis by the poor overworked sap its been "assigned" to.
On top of this, when they correspond with other firms, they don't send a fax, they don't call them, they don't send an email, they don't send a letter by first class post - that's right - everything is sent by second class post to give them a week to get on with other work before the letter is received!
Avoid, unless you want a conveyancing transaction to take 12 weeks to get to exchange (and the other party to possibly walk away due to frustration), rather than the usual 4 weeks.
Conveyancing/property
12/06/13 - Reviewed by aa
This firm is absolutely rubbish. Their solicitors are unprofessional and we had to change our solicitor. For weeks we were told that house sale is going smooth and searches are being made. But then one day they just called and informed that we have not sent them the form. When we personally went to give the form to their Manchester office. Anyway dealing with this firm was a nightmare and considering there are many solicitors out there please don't bother with birchall Blackburn.
11/06/21 - Response by N/A
Very bad reviews!
Birchall Blackburn solicitors should not get too big for their boots because your clients are your bread and butter and are far more superior than solicitors as clients pay your wages.
Conveyancing/property
09/05/13 - Reviewed by Anonymous
I received a terrible service from Birchall Blackburn. I always try and read reviews to investigate the services of a solicitor before using them and the reviews for this company all seemed fairly good. Unfortunately this did not prove to be the case for me. The service was agonizingly slow and on two separate occasions they gave out incorrect information to our estate agent despite my complaint after it happened on the first occasion. My initial solicitor went on maternity leave and I only found out when I telephoned them to complain about incorrect information and breach of confidentiality. No-one had advised me my case had been passed on to someone else for completion. The new solicitor did not prove to be very good either, he made mistakes on the paperwork when the process started to show signs of completion and failed to send paperwork stated as included in the documentation. Unfortunately I would not recommend this company to anyone based on my own experience.
Conveyancing/property
02/04/13 - Reviewed by Anonymous
I hate to say, I received an awful service. The sale was only finalised on the day my mortgage offer expired; the only reason the deadline was made was because I took time out of work, on the day, to obtain the paperwork required to enable completion (which it came to light had already been sent a week prior). The sale was a no chain attached sale, which it took 7 months to complete (I was advised this would usually take 8 weeks at the most). I complained about the service I received and was advised it was normal for their firm to heavily rely (based on my experience) on their customers when purchasing a property. In which case, it would have been easier, faster & possibly cheaper for me to have arranged the sale myself (or with another firm with a higher standard of service). Given the work I ended up having to put in to complete the sale, I felt like I paid a lot of money for nothing. I even rang with a query at one point in regards to the sale and they were unable to advise me, so I was left to investigate myself. I would strongly advise, based on my experience, to avoid using this solicitors if at all possible. Unfortunately, the glowing reviews I saw online did not reflect the service I received and it has come to light that I am not alone in my experiences. In fact, in my area, it was apparently widely known to the locals that I should have avoided Birchall Blackburn at all cost, which I, unfortunately, only became aware of after their services were enlisted. I only hope, despite an unsatisfactory response to my queries in regards to the poor service I received, their firm handles future cases with more care and takes steps to prevent unnecessary delays. However, judging by the response I received, it appears they felt the service they provided was satisfactory, which does not bode well, as this is contrary to what other agencies, those involved with the sale and others who have purchased their own properties via other solicitors believe/would advise. I hope this review either serves to save others from the extra stress and delays I suffered as a result of using this firm or encourages Birchall Blackburn to shape up.
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