CMC
No Good For Fathers. Separation, child abduction or Parental Alienation Cases - Look Elsewhere
From the off - no face to face meetings...other than to take £750 up front retainer - even then when I asked to see Selina (apparently a Family Law Specialist Solicitor) I was told by Cameron she was working from home, but just as my card was swiped in reception - who should walk out of the office but Selina herself. The first lie then - should have trusted my gut there and then. Did have an initial telephone discussion with Selina - this was fine - she said all the right things and that filled me with confidence, to get me on board. However, it became evident that Selina only becomes a name/signatory on the paperwork pantomime of the back and forth between her and her fellow solicitor pal in Perth representing my other half. On the initial phone discussion with Selina - she advised that she and Duncan MacKinnon of McCash and Hunter both sit side by side on the Family Panel (or a board to that effect within the court) and when I directly asked her if that was a problem for her to go head to head with the other solicitor - she said no but I realised about a few weeks in that I was getting played - the back and forth being a pantomime production of us asking A,B,C and only getting answers (or half answers) to A. Completely strung out in a bid to extend your bill. The mothers side calls the shots. This is extremely concerning as BOTH these solicitors are meant to have the child's welfare at heart (both sit on the family panel or whatever they called it at the court) but actually are following the age old line - if the mother is clearly telling her side of the story then that is what they go with. The dad doesn't stand a chance but will get drained of their wages. In summary - two months in, a £1150 bill and nothing to show for it. No parental agreement (for the child), no further forward with selling the house or buying my partner out the property, four hours contact (dictated by the mother) with my child in nearly 3 months now. That is not in the child's best interests or welfare. Other areas of concern - you think you are signing up to Selina - I spoke to her once - all emails come from underlings with mis-spellings, bad grammar etc. Not what you expect at a huge hourly rate. Also sign you up to a £250 a month standing order but then refuse to proceed with your case unless you give them interim payments (£500) over and above. Felt like just a number on their books. Perhaps taking too many clients on or too many holidays - or both. Good at mis-spelling my name, as well as rushed Friday 4.30pm calls about the Saturday/next day contact from yet another underling who I have never dealt with - Darci this time. Sounded like an intern/young apprentice as yet again - the person I should have been dealing with was on holiday/not in the office. Walked away from this firm as don't mind spending money and seeing progress - but for this large sum of money achieved absolutely zero. Am compiling my complaint to put to the ombudsman / Scottish Legal Complaints Commission. I am not putting this review on here for a response from W&AS Bruce - but rather to make aware other Fathers to not use this solicitor. It is not good value for money, you will achieve nothing here other than stress and wage drain.
Caroline Beattie
As you will appreciate solicitors, given the nature of our work, do not have the ability to respond to a review in the same free manner in which it is written. This is the first time that I have had to be given advanced warning of review content due to review platform’s concerns over false and defamatory content. After reflection, I have not taken issue with the printing of the contents on the basis that we are permitted to provide a response. Myself and my team - Helen (my trusted Paralegal, who does not appear to have a mention in your commentary) Cameron (our Paralegal in training) and Darci (our Trainee Solicitor and newest recruit), all of whom you derogatorily refer to as “underlings” have a very different view of our brief but intensive period of interaction. I will be provided the opportunity to provide an unfettered response in due course, within what my governing body views as the appropriate forum. What I am able to say in this forum is that we do not “lie” to clients. You arrived at our office just after opening. Cameron was unaware I was changing my arrangements for that day. Myself and Mr MacKinnon are among a number of trustees on the board of the charity, Relationships Scotland. I am grateful to say that I have, over my last twenty years of practice, developed strong and amicable relationships with many solicitors in the Fife Faculty as well as Perth and Dundee. This has improved my ability to do good work for my clients. The nature of court work is such that there is a professional camaraderie that is not found in other areas of practice and I am privileged to be part of it. Despite our amicable connections, solicitors always act in the best interests of their client. Clients are provided a clear indication of fees at the outset, and prior to any formal instruction. The level of fees represents the intensity of the work undertaken, not necessarily the length of a case. I always voice concerns with my clients if I feel they are accruing unnecessary legal fees by not using my time wisely. I am pleased to say, with our new trainee having started that the Dunfermline office is once again able to offer Legal Aid to those who are eligible. Appointments are available for face to face, telephone call or teams. Lastly, your review exhibits the highly emotive nature of a solicitor’s day to day work. We deal with a volume of cases. This is necessary to survive as a business and to enable us to continue providing much needed services for which there is a heavy demand. We must prioritise certain cases over others where necessary, but treat all cases with equal importance. The content of your email significantly undermines the time and attention provided to your case and the sound advice (whether agreeable or not) provided. Selina Mackay Partner
