Janes

After much searching I decided to retain Janes Solicitors, London, in connection with a historic allegation. I returned from France to the UK late October 2020 to defend this.

At the Magistrates Court representation was via a local affiliate who quite honestly was not up to the job – I could have argued my bail appeal better myself – all she did was read out what I had told her – no passion or persuasive manner whatsoever.

So...no bail. I was assured by Janes that if I had a UK address then Bail would have been granted.....but they provided zero assistance in obtaining accommodation, even though I
suggested employing a property company.

I subsequently was on remand for four months. During that time I put many questions and documents before Janes, to which there were very few answers/response. I went through all the written documents and ‘evidence’, and made my case against the allegations.

I constantly requested that they follow up issues raised – they did not.
I constantly reminded them that I did not wish to leave everything until the last few weeks to get resolved – but that is exactly what happened.

It was a very passive defence, simply responding to the CPS allegation rather than investigating further afield. Passive, not aggressive.

I was assured early on that they could work with my chosen Barrister...then a ‘faite accompli’ in that they chose a different one whom they had worked with before.

I was not introduced to my Barrister until about a month before the trial – one video meeting. Despite repeated requests, issues supporting the case were not followed up.

On the trial day itself I actually met my Barrister for the very first time in person.

Forty five minutes before the trial was due to start I was handed my defence proposal – the content of which was what I had written 6 months before – although not at all well formatted as my original was. My Barrister then informed me that the defence consisted of ‘conjecture’, and it would come down to ‘who the jury ‘liked’ the most.’’.....and suggested that it may be possible to agree a lesser sentence for a guilty plea.

Although I was not guilty I could not take the chance, and had to be pragmatic and expedient, so did as suggested so that I could return to my family in France with a nominal suspended sentence.

This is not what justice is supposed to be...and hey... to spring this on me 45 minutes before the trial was due to open – they had 6 months to say this.........is that a correct way to act?

Janes were pleasant enough, and although I was on Legal Aid I was constantly assured I would be treated the same way as if privately funded. I cannot believe that was the case. Would I use them again – I cannot say that I would.