Dutton Gregory LLP

Friendly, fast, efficient and effective service delivered in simple understandable terms

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Charley Peters

Dutton Gregory Solicitors helped us resolve a complicated, disputed family law matter, avoiding going to Court and saving us a lot of money and hassle. We were expertly guided through a lengthy and complicated process, and all our questions were answered promptly and in a way we could understand. We had invaluable advice that helped us avoid a very tricky situation. We were kept informed every step of the way and given peace of mind that our matter was dealt with in a professional, confident manner. I am particularly grateful to Jonathan Whettingsteel and Oliver Chandler for their assistance at a later stage, when they went out of their way to help me finalise the matter during one of the most difficult moments of my life. Thank you very much!

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Jonathan Mark Whettingsteel

Beverley was amazing all throughout and very quick in sorting our matter. Highly recommended

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Beverley Nias

Very professional, effective and focused on our case.

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Nadia Choudhury

You met all expectations (having had bad past experience with other solicitors) and would always come back in future.

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Amy Briscoe

Where to begin? I think disastrous and expensive would be a good start, quickly followed by one of the worst legal experiences to date. Got "allocated" this outfit some time ago as the litigator for a lease extension. Began reasonably well in the hands of a Dispute Resolution Executive who subsequently disappeared into the vapour on maternity leave but without the courtesy of telling me. Impending absence only discovered from tiny type in the email signature strip. How very professional. To be replaced by a full-blown Senior Associate Solicitor at a much, much higher hourly rate. Her profile described her as a "Property Specialist" but clearly not specialist enough to be able to explain anything coherently, not to change her mind at the 11th hour and not to have any idea of where things were at any given time. From my particular experience I'd say her "specialities" were more an inability to communicate clearly and concisely - including that old chestnut answering a direct question - long, rambling contradictory emails with just a dash of inaccurate cut and paste thrown in to spice things up, racking up her very substantial fees with her indecision and stretching the matter out interminably due to an overarching terror of "the litigation risk". Discussion at later date with a different legal firm told me that whereas a litigation risk does exist in every case, all the adjournments were unnecessary in such a simple matter and, very unsurprisingly, even the Courts got sick of it all and threatened to dismiss. A request to speak to someone who could explain better was met with a wall of silence and repeated requests to keep costs down by handing the matter to another Legal Executive or junior got the same shocking inaction. The little in her favour was that - after a number of challenges - she made a few meagre attempts to reduce costs and shaved a bit off her bills. Her final shining triumph was, however, to tell me I must pay the other side's costs when she had negotiated to the contrary. So, definitely no recommendation for this lot, and especially not her. Just another long, rotten and ridiculously expensive drag. And before this firm rushes to tell me that it was all the fault of the non-cooperative Freeholder, it's true that he dragged his heels but that does not in anyway impact my view of the poor service dispensed by the so-called "specialist".

I cannot recommend Amy at Dutton Gregory Solicitors highly enough. Throughout the entire process, she has been a great pleasure to work with. From the very beginning, Amy demonstrated exceptional professionalism. She is incredibly hardworking and efficient, often moving things forward much faster than I expected. What truly set her apart, however, was her communication; she was always quick to respond. Even when I offered to send a small gift as a token of my appreciation for her outstanding work, she kindly said it was not necessary, showing her true professional integrity. It is rare to find someone who combines such high-level expertise with a genuinely kind and approachable manner. Amy is proactive, communicative, and truly cares about her clients. I am very grateful for all her hard work and support. Thank you very much!

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Amy Briscoe

We were absolutely astounded to receive an invoice for over £3000. for supposedly 2 months work, when we are no further forward than we were a year ago. How any company can run a business but never have any communications with the client is beyond us. When I complained that I wasn't happy with there service 6 months ago, I got sent an invoice. If they got on with the job as quickly as they issue invoices then it would be done by now. Avoid at all costs

I have only ever dealt with Mackrell Turner Garrett in the past but as they are now Dutton Gregory I thought the service would be as good as it had been with the other company. , Maybe I had the wrong person as my solicitor but found it very hard to have any communication with her when needed . As a non resident I needed all the help I could get not knowing how house sales work but found it very difficult to get answers to my emails. Sorry that this hasn’t been the glowing review that others have given but I was not happy with the service.

Solicitors are not generally known for their attention to customer service. But when handling my conveyancing, Dutton Gregory reach a new low, tarnishing the reputation of all solicitors everywhere. Dutton Gregory handled my conveyancing in Nov 2021. My solicitor went on holiday not once, but twice, at crucial points in the process, including two days before exchange. Nobody contacted me to tell me this - I found out that my buyers were ready to exchange from my estate agent - and everyone seemed surprised that I should expect it. A simple email would have done, explaining that my solicitor was away, when she would be back and who was handling my file in her absence. It's not rocket science, it's easy. Instead, I was left with urgent and important legal questions and nobody to answer them. Let me repeat - I found out that my buyers were ready to exchange from my estate agent! Not the solicitor that I was paying over a grand to handle the legal side. She didn't even know, because she was on holiday! When I complained, I received a haughty email from Sarah Sams, a partner at the firm, offering no apology, defending and justifying everything that had happened, and saying, "... it is not possible not [sic] notify all client’s [sic] individually when a member of staff is due to take annual leave." This is such obvious nonsense that it beggars belief that anyone would write it. It would take less than 10 minutes to send an email to a list of clients. The problem isn't just that this wasn't done, it's that nobody at Dutton Gregory thinks it is worth doing. Sarah Sams' email displays the root of the problem at Dutton Gregory perfectly. It comes from the top. Nobody cares about customer service there - they don't even know what it is. So this dreadful vacuum where customer service should be isn't going to get better, because the partners at Dutton Gregory cannot see it. As a result, they provide a lazy, complacent service, accompanied by an arrogant, high-handed manner. If you make the mistake of using them, expect the bare minimum, low interest in your situation, late responses or no reply at all to emails and messages, and your solicitor disappearing without notice with no cover. ###### UPDATE 2023 ##### I thought it worth adding that subsequently I've moved again, and this time my legal affairs were handled by a solicitor in Bath. They were absolutely superb, providing a stark counterpoint to the dreadful customer experience at Dutton Gregory by providing a really personal, sensitive, attentive service to customers. Interestingly, the solicitor handling my case went on holiday, just like the one from Dutton Gregory did. However, my new solicitors managed the "impossible task" (if you believe Sarah Sams) of emailing me beforehand to let me know she was going away, and telling me who would be handling my case in her absence. When I called with a question, the person covering for my solicitor had the file to hand, knew all about my situation, and was able to swiftly answer my questions, reassure me and take the necessary action. Dutton Gregory would do to take note! Meanwhile, if you're considering using Dutton Gregory for your conveyancing, PLEASE DON'T!