Zoe
Worst solicitor - errors made that nearly cost a sale of a flat
Peter Burton has made numerous errors in a lease extension template document (missed the end date of a lease extension, missed that there was an entire floor missing from the floor plan etc). He took 18 months to complete this template document due to ill health, however when completed it was wrong but there was no apology for his errors (obviously no refund). During the sale of my flat, the buyers solicitor spotted all his errors which, instead of an apology and speedy resolution, he became indignant and rude with everyone he dealt with, went on holiday without warning and on his return insisted we all wait for him to check the documentation again, then said he would no longer represent me - despite having paid him already for the work. Fortunately my neighbour who recommended him (as he was his family solicitors) stepped in and insisted he completed the work. Peter Burton then continue to slow the process nearly costing the sale and was actually accused in writing by the buyers solicitor of deliberately hiding essential information that would have allowed the sale to go through. At the very best, Peter Burton is inefficient, at the worst I believe I was treated this way because I am female and stood up to his rudeness and questioned his errors. To warn people not to use him is the very first action I am taking, however I am also looking into what recourse I have formally with the law society as I would say my treatment was widely viewed as outrageous. At the time of the sale I did not dare raise my concerns for fear what retaliation he would take. Now the sale is completed I feel free to seek to ensure no one else has to suffer at his hands. Oh as a last insult, even when he did charge me, he sent me the wrong banking details!
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