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Seeking legal advice is rarely an enjoyable experience. After all, it is prefaced by the fact that something has gone wrong in your personal or professional life, and it’s now gotten to this severe stage. However, when we do approach a legal expert for guidance, we expect the best effort and care from them. A solicitor has a duty to operate in your best interests, but sometimes, unfortunately, this isn’t always what happens. If you’ve been given bad advice from a legal professional, we’re here to tell you what you can do to rectify this problem.
Keep A Record
Whenever dealing with a professional in which money changes hands in exchange for a service, you should always keep a full log of everything. This includes how much has been paid, what that money was specifically for, and also, in this case, what the advice was which you were given. It’s so important to keep a full record of these things so that if something goes wrong based on the advice you were given, you’ve got evidence if you need to make a legal claim against that solicitor. Don’t forget that these records may also help you and your solicitor decide if it’s worth making a professional negligence claim based on how likely you are to succeed based on your evidence. Either way, if you fail to keep a detailed record of your interactions, you may risk the credibility of your case, making it more difficult to pursue compensation.
Speak To A Professional
You may feel that you can no longer trust solicitors after an event like this, but it’s important to note that receiving bad legal advice is not common. Solicitors are generally very talented and knowledgeable when it comes to the law. However, you should look at speaking to a solicitor that specialises in what is known as professional negligence. Expert solicitors like those at Hugh James will be able to guide you on what to do for your specific case. Bear in mind that the legal process can often take a significant amount of time, so be prepared for this.
Arrange A Meeting
You should consider sitting down with your previous solicitor to discuss the problem alongside your solicitor. While this isn’t going to be the most comfortable experience, it’s important to try to rectify the problem outside of court so that you can move on without worrying about lengthy proceedings. However, try not to be put off if they try dragging the process out. Your professional negligence solicitor will know how to handle this situation and will help you to decide on the next course of action.
Go Forward With A Claim
If talks aren’t getting anywhere, you may benefit from making a compensation claim against your former solicitor. You won’t be required to deal with a majority of this as your new solicitor will handle the process. However, you’ll want to learn everything you can about professional negligence claims so that you fully comprehend the process. Don’t forget that your solicitor will be able to provide you with the answers to any questions you have, of course. A claim can take up to 12 months, so be prepared for a lengthy process.