UK Wedding News
28/02/2013
A Legal Ombudsman report suggests poor legal services and inaccurate costs may be making the divorce process more difficult for customers in some cases, citing examples of bills that exceeded estimations by more than £30,000.
And in one standout case, a woman was even told to pay £4,000 for photocopying.
However, the Ombudsman also warned people against running up unnecessary costs by using their lawyer as a support mechanism or taking out their anger on their former partner using the court process.
The report, released today, reveals that 18% of the 7,500 complaints it resolved last year were about divorce or family law related cases, making it the most complained about area of law in England and Wales.
Featuring stories of real people who used a divorce lawyer and then needed Legal Ombudsman help, the report also reveals that around a quarter of divorce complaints relate to poor cost information, with one in five (21%) customers saying they were not given an estimate of fees when they first consulted a lawyer.
The average cost of divorce is estimated to be £1300. Despite this, the report highlights case studies in which people were charged thousands more than they were originally quoted. In addition, 18% of complaints investigated related to the lawyer failing to provide adequate legal advice, resulting in further distress for clients.
Chief Legal Ombudsman, Adam Sampson, said: "This report shows that there are legitimate reasons for there to be more complaints about divorce than other areas of law. Some customers also create their own problems by letting emotions take over in the divorce process. However clearly lawyers could be doing more to reduce complaints by providing accurate cost information, providing decent service levels and by taking
complaints seriously.
"I think this report challenges lawyers to raise their game and make the
divorce process less painful for consumers."
The Legal Ombudsman has also published a consumer guide to using a divorce lawyer with tips on finding the best deals, understanding legal jargon and using mediation. In addition, it has republished a guide to good cost practice for lawyers to help them raise standards and prevent complaints.
Dean Dunham, founder of YouandYourRights.com and qualified lawyer, said: "Instructing a divorce lawyer is no different to agreeing to use the services of a plumber; you need to know that they have the expertise you need, what they are going to charge and how long it will take.
"The Legal Ombudsman’s report rightly challenges lawyers to improve standards and ensure that consumers aren’t caught out by hidden or surprising costs. In addition, the consumer guide to choosing a divorce lawyer is a "must read' for anyone about to use a divorce lawyer, providing clear and concise guidance."
(GK)
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Divorces Unhappy With Legal Services
Excessive charges, poor service and customers who unfairly blamed lawyers for the outcome of a case feature in the latest Ombudsman report on divorce related legal complaints.A Legal Ombudsman report suggests poor legal services and inaccurate costs may be making the divorce process more difficult for customers in some cases, citing examples of bills that exceeded estimations by more than £30,000.
And in one standout case, a woman was even told to pay £4,000 for photocopying.
However, the Ombudsman also warned people against running up unnecessary costs by using their lawyer as a support mechanism or taking out their anger on their former partner using the court process.
The report, released today, reveals that 18% of the 7,500 complaints it resolved last year were about divorce or family law related cases, making it the most complained about area of law in England and Wales.
Featuring stories of real people who used a divorce lawyer and then needed Legal Ombudsman help, the report also reveals that around a quarter of divorce complaints relate to poor cost information, with one in five (21%) customers saying they were not given an estimate of fees when they first consulted a lawyer.
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The average cost of divorce is estimated to be £1300. Despite this, the report highlights case studies in which people were charged thousands more than they were originally quoted. In addition, 18% of complaints investigated related to the lawyer failing to provide adequate legal advice, resulting in further distress for clients.
Chief Legal Ombudsman, Adam Sampson, said: "This report shows that there are legitimate reasons for there to be more complaints about divorce than other areas of law. Some customers also create their own problems by letting emotions take over in the divorce process. However clearly lawyers could be doing more to reduce complaints by providing accurate cost information, providing decent service levels and by taking
complaints seriously.
"I think this report challenges lawyers to raise their game and make the
divorce process less painful for consumers."
The Legal Ombudsman has also published a consumer guide to using a divorce lawyer with tips on finding the best deals, understanding legal jargon and using mediation. In addition, it has republished a guide to good cost practice for lawyers to help them raise standards and prevent complaints.
Dean Dunham, founder of YouandYourRights.com and qualified lawyer, said: "Instructing a divorce lawyer is no different to agreeing to use the services of a plumber; you need to know that they have the expertise you need, what they are going to charge and how long it will take.
"The Legal Ombudsman’s report rightly challenges lawyers to improve standards and ensure that consumers aren’t caught out by hidden or surprising costs. In addition, the consumer guide to choosing a divorce lawyer is a "must read' for anyone about to use a divorce lawyer, providing clear and concise guidance."
(GK)
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