Conned By Bogus Solicitor

[AKALI]

We (buyer/seller) wanted some conveyancing work to be done relating to sell of a restaurant. A friend of mine recommended to go to a solicitor that he knows. We paid the solicitors mostly money in cash some by cheques.

After waiting long time nothing much happened, when went to see him, he makes all kind of excuse for the delay. After writing to tell him that we will report him to police, he produces a draft lease. Then gain nothing much happened by then I searched on the Law society website and noticed he was banned from practicing, I asked my friend he said he didn’t know about it.

We approach him again he said all kind of lies about this. However he said that he will get 2 solicitors to deal with the matter. Fearing we will lose all our money we accepted. One of them is his friend Victor Stockinger, he is registered with the Law society. Unfortunately nothing is happening, I wrote to both but no response.

I really don’t know what to do. As these people know the law, I can’t see me wining them. They will make it expensive and time consuming. I paid over £5000. Should I take my losses?

[bednobs]

i don't understand what you paid £5000 for. As you will have reciepts, i would suggest you write them a letter before action, then file a small claim online

[Buenchico]

Start with the obvious:
http://www.lawsociety.org.uk/for-the-public/faqs/complaining-about-a-solicitor/

[Eve]

I would go straight to the SRA about this, given the circumstances.

See the part:

How to report a solicitor or firm to the SRA

http://www.sra.org.uk/consumers/problems/report-solicitor.page#how-report-sra

[AKALI]

Thank you to everyone for your advice.