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[DIY Anyone? Help for Litigants in Person (LIP's)]

Highly Recommended NEW website

Please join our pilot project and help to build Britain's largest database of law firms, solicitors, barristers and other legal practitioners, together with individuals who are willing to share their experiences and inside knowledge with others.

Testing and very MUCH Under Construction - all enquiries mailto:admin@legalxchange.co.uk

Members can...

Non-members can...

Click here for more details on how it works, here for the FAQ or here to join the pilot.

Do we need them?  Click here if looking for information for Litigant's In Person.

Most of us employ a solicitor or other legal professional only occasionally.  With hourly rates often in excess of £150, such individuals are likely to be the most expensive we ever engage.

Sometimes this is money well spent.  Sometimes such "service" is simply poor value for money.  Sometimes things are much worse... and when things go wrong they can go badly wrong.  Many legal professionals overcharge - an alarming number each year are convicted of fraud, theft or other appalling crimes.  If things go wrong you may find that there is almost no regulation of this profession and nothing you can do.  There is good and bad in all walks of life... so how do you tell the difference before things go wrong?

One way is word of mouth and personal recommendation.  Unfortunately, unless you invest a huge amount of time and effort up-front and ask a lot of people, there is potential to come unstuck.  Just because one partner in a Firm gives good service it does not mean they all do and expertise in one area of law does not necessarily carry over into another.  Sadly, most people only put in the necessary effort after things have gone badly.  Only, when it is too late, do the warnings and the truth emerge.

Sound legal advice and good legal practitioners can save you money.  Bad advice, poor service (or worse) can cost you £1,000's and leave you feeling very aggrieved.  How can you tell?  Isn't it worth putting in some effort?

It is human nature to want to want to tell others of good fortune and recommend those who have given good service.  It is also human nature to want to warn others of crooks, rogues and con-men... if only to hurt the bad guys in the pocket by putting a stop to them.  The LegalXchange can do both... encourage the good with extra business and hurt the bad.  It would be nice to think that the bad guys would either have to reform or become extinct.  Sadly, as long as there are lawyers there will be bad lawyers... but this site can make a positive difference in many directions and ... every little helps!

You may already have "problems" with a legal professional.  Contacting other users to gain inside knowledge and information could help you both - two (or more) may succeed where individually all are doomed to failure.  You may already be using legal services... again, inside information could be reassuring or help you to take steps to prevent things going wrong for you.  There are as many reasons to join as there are people out there. [More Reasons to join] [How it works]

Finally, we are in pilot.  These ideas are mostly the result of a "one-man think tank" which is almost never a good idea.  This service should evolve and grow and be driven by the genius of our Members.  All suggestions welcome... please use the Forums... The LegalXchange... Find the truth...

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Other Notes - In case you missed clicking "Service" above

Top ten complaints about solicitors in England and Wales (from Which?’s survey)

1. Excessive delays in the handling of clients’ cases -71 per cent
2. They were negligent (i.e. they did not carry out the service with reasonable skill or care) – 59 per cent
3. They made mistakes in the work they did for clients – 57 per cent
4. They often didn’t reply to clients’ letters and / or phone calls - 57 per cent
5. They didn’t keep clients informed about the progress of your case – 54 per cent
6. They behaved unprofessionally – 52 per cent
7. Clients were given inaccurate or incomplete information – 48 per cent
8. Clients’ instructions were not followed / carried out – 46 per cent
9. Clients were given bad advice – 38 per cent
10. Clients were not treated respectfully – 37 per cent

Wouldn't it be nice if you could avoid having to complain at all?

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