Matter Type:
Divorce
Heath
Collected on:
Cautionary Tale: Disappointing Legal Representation by Mark Heptinstal
Regrettably, the legal services provided, particularly by recently promoted partner Mark Heptinstall, fail to meet professional standards. The initial engagement appeared promising but quickly devolved into a situation where unnecessary work was generated, billed at exorbitant rates, with threats of financial consequences if questioned. Despite assurances that his assistant would handle much of the workload, billing discrepancies arose, suggesting inflated invoicing practices.
Furthermore, Mark Heptinstall abruptly withdrew from representation just five days before a critical court hearing, failing to provide adequate notice or guidance on next steps. This departure left us without representation and unprepared for the hearing, as well as failing to inform us of crucial procedural requirements, such as the submission of a legal document known as a 'bundle'. Despite previous assurances that the hearing was a mere formality, it resulted in an adverse ruling against us, with significant financial implications.
Of particular concern was the inadvertent sharing of sensitive information with the opposing party and the inclusion of a questionable "disclaimer" in documentation presented to us. These actions raise doubts about the solicitor's professionalism and commitment to client confidentiality.
Given these issues, we feel compelled to highlight our dissatisfaction and caution others against engaging with this firm. We have also sought recourse through appropriate channels, including lodging a formal complaint regarding the breach of solicitor duty of care and code of conduct.
In conclusion, our experience with Mark Heptinstall and the firm's handling of our case has been deeply disappointing, and we urge others to exercise caution when considering their services.
Was this review helpful?