Complaints Handling Procedure
In this Complaints Handling Procedure the words “we”, “our” and “us” mean Steadfast Solicitors Ltd The firm is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
Steadfast Solicitors Ltd is committed to promoting equality and diversity. This Complaints Procedure will be applied in accordance with our Equality and Diversity Guidance and Policy. Should you require an adjustment to be made to our complaints process, then you should not hesitate to request the same and we will do all that we can to accommodate your needs.
Our complaints policy
We are committed to providing a high quality legal service to all our clients. However, we also accept that mistakes, misunderstandings, delays and other errors can occur.
When something goes wrong, we need you to tell us about it. This will help us to improve our standards.
We will not charge you for handling your complaint.
What will happen next?
We will send you a letter acknowledging receipt of your complaint and enclosing a copy of this procedure, within three working days of us receiving your complaint.
1. We will send you a letter acknowledging receipt of your complaint and enclosing a copy of this procedure, within three working days of us receiving your complaint.
2. We will then investigate your complaint. This will normally involve passing the file to the Director / Solicitor (Chris Tuckett), who will review the matter.
3. You will then be invited to a meeting to discuss and hopefully resolve your complaint. This will be done within seven working days of sending you the acknowledgement letter.
4. Within three working days of the meeting, we will write to you to confirm what took place and any solutions or remedies agreed with you. Such solutions or remedies may include but are not limited to,
• An oral or written apology
• A review of our policies and procedures
• An appropriate and proportionate reduction in our fees
• An appropriate and proportionate refund of our fees
5. If you do not want a meeting or it is not possible to hold one, we will send you a detailed written reply to your complaint, including suggestions for resolving the matter, within twenty one working days of sending you the acknowledgement letter.
6. At this stage, if you are still not satisfied, you should contact us again. With your consent, arrangements will then be made for a member of the Solicitors Sole Practitioners Group or the local Law Society or another solicitor/Barrister to review your complaint. You will be advised of how long this will likely take.
7. You will be advised of the outcome of the review within five working days of the end of the review.
8. If you are still not satisfied, you can then contact the Legal Ombudsman at enquiries@legalombudsman.org.uk or PO Box 6806, Wolverhampton WV1 9WJ, about your complaint. Any complaint to the Legal Ombudsman must usually be made within six months of receiving our final written response about your complaint or within 12 months of the act or omission about which you are complaining occurring (or you becoming aware of it). Further information can be obtained from the Legal Ombudsman (tel: 0300 555 0333 or enquiries@legalombudsman.org.uk).
9. Alternative complaints bodies (such as ProMediate: www.promediate.co.u) exist which are competent to deal with complaints about legal services should both you and our firm wish to use such a scheme.
If we have to change any of the timescales above, we will let you know and explain why.