1 reviews (1/5) and information for Longmores Solicitors LLP, Hertford

13/11/21 - Reviewed by Anonymous

Appalling service by this firm. AVOID AVOID AVOID this firm at all costs and save yourself high bills and the distress
Came to them to deal with a breach of contract matter, was told it would cost worst case £20k if it went to full hearing, later it became a revised amount of £105k+. An early opportunity to settle the matter was totally missed when no one handled the case, despite being told they could take it on. The solicitor originally assigned to me then barely worked on it and so it was moved to the senior partner at considerably more expensive where bills seem to have escalated. I was not informed of that happening it just appears to have drifted that way.
The bills were sprung on me when I believed I was working to £1400 limit of alert which I agreed with them, only to be told that say it was at £4000+ then. I was led to believe a case management hearing was £1200 and yet after the hearing I queried what the cost would be and was told £18,000+!!!! Needless to say I was shocked and massively disappointed.
Then for querying the bill I was given an ultimatum to terminate them in 7 days or be terminated, forcing me to terminate them. I have been treated appallingly by this firm. They did not act swiftly or efficiently or in my best interests. I was not correctly informed about potential costs either.
Exploited, and worse still misled on the matter and my instruction were not actioned despite being discussed and agreed, I was misled about mediation and negotiation costs. A matter that should have settled around Feb21 was not and left to run on, and then after they have run up a massively high bill without my agreement or knowledge just put me in a position that was untenable and drop you when it suits them having run up their bill. The lawyer concerned told me "the only thing solicitors can charge is their time" repeatedly and clearly this is at the forefront of his mind and actions. Letters were often long and convoluted, which then required me to follow up and so increased costs.
This firm is awful, I wish I had never come to them. Totally poor case management in respect of correctly advising me the client of costs, even who was handling my case. Now being chased for a £18000+ bill I knew nothing of, that I'd never have agreed to, for a case management hearing prep when it was led to believe it was a matter of about £1200 approx. and with my case left in a worse state than before it went to them, as well as a huge amount of stress.
Leaving me exposed to even greater risks due to their poor advice and lack of safeguards to me. I would therefore not recommend this firm at all, save yourself the grief, avoid at all costs. I have been totally exploited, not informed correctly about costs, I was very vulnerable, and they have taken advantage of that too. Though I can only speak for my experience with the firm. They even agree I had agreed with them to have limits of £1400 alerts for the finance and failed to adhere to that, yet tell me the bill was at £18,000+ only after having run that up totally ignoring any limits put in place. Even then I only found that out when I asked otherwise they would not have! His response being, I didnt tell him to stop. Very poor service and very unprofessional. There is no regard to me at all or how I have been treated or dealt with. I feel exploited and misinformed.
I have logged the matter with their complaints team, and despite even acknowledging they had agreed a £1400 limit with me are still chasing me for £17k+. At one point I was also told you can't settle the matter and ask for your costs when it is not in the court, which is wrong, and this by the "head of dispute resolution". Another time I was told by him, "all litigation can result in you losing your house," but he didnt say that before when I made my initial inquiries to come to their firm, and I do not believe that is correct anyway. Very poor way to deal with clients and not clear or professional upfront.
They've caused my matter to not be resolved, huge additional distress, time to pass little/no progress, made my situation worse; what an awful experience.
For the "head of dispute resolution", who I later realised was also an owner of the firm, to be repeatedly telling me, "the only thing a solicitor can charge is their time", speaks volumes about his primary goal, and I am being told that by him at my expense!
Of course all firms act to make money, but there are rules and practices about how they case and cost manage clients, none of which I believe have been followed by this firm.
AVOID AVOID AVOID this firm at all costs and save yourself the high bills and distress.

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