Stay well clear of this firm
I was in the process of buying a home in Fettercairn, Scotland. that I made an offer on which was accepted in February 2013.
I was unable to use my own English solicitor so had to engage a Scottish one in Laurencekirk to act for me due to the Scottish system.
I was quoted £750.00 for the work, with a possibility it may be less. I was told this verbally, but also had a written estimate later, a statement was also sent as I needed to transfer the funds for the property and stamp duty, and fees etc in advance.
The solicitor was clearly not up to the job, and I had to check the law myself and send links to the solicitor, so involved a lot of work, and e mails, but i feel this was due to the fact I was being told to break the law which I would not accept and was not willing to do. (regards registration of the septic tank etc) The property was due to complete on the 18th March 2013, but due to delays with the paperwork it did not compete until July 2013 (using another solicitor, who had to start over and charged a reasonable fee)
It was suggested when it was dragging on, that I changed solicitors, (by CAB as I had contacted them about the problems) but decided to stick it out, but then as soon as I had a e-mail saying that the solicitor may need to charge more than the estimate, I stopped the work and asked that all my funds were returned to my bank.
It was bad enough having a solicitor who clearly did not know what she was doing, but then to be asked to pay more for me telling her how to do her job, was the last straw.
At no time prior to this was I told that the est/quoted fee of £750 was going to be any different, if it was I would have had to transfer more money as the money held was for buying the property and agreed fee. The papers says it is an estimate, but I entered a verbal agreement of the fee of £750 in person at her office, where I also have a witness who was with me at the time.
I was then told the funds had been returned along with a bill showing the solicitor had taken over £6500.00 of my money. (the bill came after the funds were returned and the fee had been deducted) At no time did I know, or agree that this money was being taken from the funds to buy the property. They have also only added £5 interest but charged £20 to send my funds back.
This left me short of money to buy the property.
I have contacted the police and they say it is a civil matter, but as far as I can see it is daylight robbery.
I contacted the Scottish Law society who could not help, and passed me to the SLCC, who after months and months have upheld some of my complaint for investigation but say it will be 8 months before they can investigate it, meanwhile I am out of pocket by several thousand pounds. The Scottish Legal Complaints Commission (SLCC) who eventually got £2000 back for me so far, still fighting for the rest.
Also reported to The Scottish Law Society and my MP & MSP
I recently spoke to a Police Officer from Laurecekirk and mentioned it to him, he asked which solicitor it was, when I mentioned it was Beckley Kenny he said "bad news, they have a terrible reputation"
My advice is stay clear of this firm.