Sting in the tail
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Morning everyone, hope everyone is ok. Thought I would come on and share our experience with solicitors that people may find useful.
It was my son under investigation, devices taken end of November no arrest no interview just we will get back to you once examined.
Now my son is a student and would have qualified for legal aid. In the new year we started looking for legal representation for him.
Probably I would guess like most people on here we had zero experience on how to get good legal representation. We were massively anxious about not making a mistake hiring the wrong firm. Of course due to the horrible secrecy that surrounds this type of crime we couldnt reach out to friends or family for advice or recommendations. Believe it or not my dad is a long retired policeman who after retirement worked for a firm of solicitors. But I never told him,because he is an 84 year old man who I didnt want to burden with this worry.
I was looking for a firm in our area who had a good understanding of these offences. I spoke to a couple but they didnt really inspire confidence. I reached out on here but I believe it is against guidelines to recommend particular firms. I was given good advice and Lee in particular warned me to be careful not to get ripped off by firms offering pre charge engagement.
Anyway I did read a post by some one who mentioned a firm of solicitors in our area who they had a really good experience with. I contacted them and straight away I could tell they had a real understanding of these crimes , importantly my son found them really easy to talk to as they put him at ease.
Problem was they did not do legal aid up to charges being made.They would have applied for legal aid once charges were brought.
There were two options hire them on an hourly basis for £375 per hour (if the used litigation support they cost extra £225ph) or a fixed fee of £9000 plus vat(1800).
After long discussions myself and my husband decided to opt for a fixed fee. We would borrow the money and at least would know an exact amount rather than another worry about escalating bills.
We appointed them on 28th March. We agreed to pay £3600 up front and 5 monthly payments of £1440.
Both my son and myself had a conversation with the solicitor on appointment. I went through everything that happened and we discussed my sons mental state etc. She gave me confidence that we had made the right choice.
I sent her an email confirming everything and she emailed me a schedule of what she wanted us to do re counselling for my son preparing references giving authority to contact my sons doctor etc.
She contacted police to advise she was our representation and to get an update on timescale. She emailed us 24th April to say police advised devices were with forensics and she expected to hear from them by June at which point she said she would go through the evidence and liase to agree a mutual convenient time for interview.
The very next day 25th April the OIC called me direct to say nothing found on devices no further action. We were not expecting that but massive relief all round.
I emailed the solicitor next morning, she called me straight away and said she was delighted with the outcome for us. I thanked her for her time and asked in view of the case not proceeding would the fees be reviewed. She said she would pass it to finance dept to review.
Finance dept got back straight away to say full bill £9000 plus vat would be payable. Helpfully highlighting the part of the contract we signed saying full fees payable regardless of the stage the case was finalised.
We did a bit of research and you can challenge solicitors fees(even fixed fees) if you think you have bern overcharged for the work undertaken. There is an ombudsman and a legal route . We decided to challenge them direct we offered to pay one more payment of £1440.00 which would bring total paid to £5000. Still too much for work undertaken but we were prepared to pay it. They accepted this.
Well done if you have lasted this long. So yes mixed feelings, I know most people on here would be happy if the only outcome from all this was being £5000 down and we certainly are.
I would hope that with the advent of direct messaging on here people will be able to share good experiences with legal aid solicitors . If you feel a solicitor is doing a really good job for you, mention it and then people can dm you for more info. Its really hard to make these decisions when you are consumed with stress and worry and you are terrified to make a bad choice that will affect the outcome for your person.
It was my son under investigation, devices taken end of November no arrest no interview just we will get back to you once examined.
Now my son is a student and would have qualified for legal aid. In the new year we started looking for legal representation for him.
Probably I would guess like most people on here we had zero experience on how to get good legal representation. We were massively anxious about not making a mistake hiring the wrong firm. Of course due to the horrible secrecy that surrounds this type of crime we couldnt reach out to friends or family for advice or recommendations. Believe it or not my dad is a long retired policeman who after retirement worked for a firm of solicitors. But I never told him,because he is an 84 year old man who I didnt want to burden with this worry.
I was looking for a firm in our area who had a good understanding of these offences. I spoke to a couple but they didnt really inspire confidence. I reached out on here but I believe it is against guidelines to recommend particular firms. I was given good advice and Lee in particular warned me to be careful not to get ripped off by firms offering pre charge engagement.
Anyway I did read a post by some one who mentioned a firm of solicitors in our area who they had a really good experience with. I contacted them and straight away I could tell they had a real understanding of these crimes , importantly my son found them really easy to talk to as they put him at ease.
Problem was they did not do legal aid up to charges being made.They would have applied for legal aid once charges were brought.
There were two options hire them on an hourly basis for £375 per hour (if the used litigation support they cost extra £225ph) or a fixed fee of £9000 plus vat(1800).
After long discussions myself and my husband decided to opt for a fixed fee. We would borrow the money and at least would know an exact amount rather than another worry about escalating bills.
We appointed them on 28th March. We agreed to pay £3600 up front and 5 monthly payments of £1440.
Both my son and myself had a conversation with the solicitor on appointment. I went through everything that happened and we discussed my sons mental state etc. She gave me confidence that we had made the right choice.
I sent her an email confirming everything and she emailed me a schedule of what she wanted us to do re counselling for my son preparing references giving authority to contact my sons doctor etc.
She contacted police to advise she was our representation and to get an update on timescale. She emailed us 24th April to say police advised devices were with forensics and she expected to hear from them by June at which point she said she would go through the evidence and liase to agree a mutual convenient time for interview.
The very next day 25th April the OIC called me direct to say nothing found on devices no further action. We were not expecting that but massive relief all round.
I emailed the solicitor next morning, she called me straight away and said she was delighted with the outcome for us. I thanked her for her time and asked in view of the case not proceeding would the fees be reviewed. She said she would pass it to finance dept to review.
Finance dept got back straight away to say full bill £9000 plus vat would be payable. Helpfully highlighting the part of the contract we signed saying full fees payable regardless of the stage the case was finalised.
We did a bit of research and you can challenge solicitors fees(even fixed fees) if you think you have bern overcharged for the work undertaken. There is an ombudsman and a legal route . We decided to challenge them direct we offered to pay one more payment of £1440.00 which would bring total paid to £5000. Still too much for work undertaken but we were prepared to pay it. They accepted this.
Well done if you have lasted this long. So yes mixed feelings, I know most people on here would be happy if the only outcome from all this was being £5000 down and we certainly are.
I would hope that with the advent of direct messaging on here people will be able to share good experiences with legal aid solicitors . If you feel a solicitor is doing a really good job for you, mention it and then people can dm you for more info. Its really hard to make these decisions when you are consumed with stress and worry and you are terrified to make a bad choice that will affect the outcome for your person.
Thanks Lee. Yes NFA after the initial relief brings its own set of challenges. We are picking up our son this weekend from uni and a long conversation will be had.The OIC called exactly a week ago yesterday and said he just had some paperwork and then we could pick up devices.We have heard nothing since, which is making me anxious.
Re solicitors yes I agree looking at the situation without the crippling stress and anxiety makes you view things more logically.
To be honest my husband was more sold on the "pre charge" work than I was.
When going through old posts I could see lots of people had good experiences with legal aid solicitors but a few bad as well. The point of my post was to make people aware of the pitfalls but also encourage people to share(as you have) good experiences and a rough idea of where they are located (north west, midlands..) so now with direct messaging people could get a recommendation which would be a good starting point for them.
Re solicitors yes I agree looking at the situation without the crippling stress and anxiety makes you view things more logically.
To be honest my husband was more sold on the "pre charge" work than I was.
When going through old posts I could see lots of people had good experiences with legal aid solicitors but a few bad as well. The point of my post was to make people aware of the pitfalls but also encourage people to share(as you have) good experiences and a rough idea of where they are located (north west, midlands..) so now with direct messaging people could get a recommendation which would be a good starting point for them.
@anotherworriedmum the police have a habit of deliberately delaying the return of property. In the end I requested the location and contact details of our property by email together with a reference number. The property could have been picked up long before but there was always an excuse. Be prepared for its collection. I thought it would all be handed over discreetly in an appropriate location. Ours was handed over in zip locked police evidence bags in the street. Disposing of these was a task in itself.
I wish you and your family the very best of luck on your journey forward xx
I wish you and your family the very best of luck on your journey forward xx
Thanks Life. Yeah I think my husband will go alone to pick it all up. I havent had the conversation with my son yet but my instict is to destroy and bin it all anyway. Just want closure on this stage really.Concentrate on my son taking advantage of this fresh start and put all our efforts into him addressing his issues.
Jeez..three years Lee. Thats staggering. I will leave until next week and then be brave and contact the OIC.