1. Introduction
We do everything we can at Edwards Duthie Shamash to deliver a quality service for our clients. Our goal is to conduct ourselves in a professional manner that will leave a favourable impression on all those with whom we come in to contact during the course of our business.
Nevertheless, we recognise that if someone is dissatisfied with any aspect of our service then we must make available a means for them to register a formal complaint.
This leaflet explains how and to whom you should make a complaint, and describes how it will be dealt with. Our objective is not to place unnecessary obstacles in your way when making us aware of your concerns. Rather, we hope to make our procedure simple and straightforward.
2. How to Complain
Ideally, we would like you to present your complaint to us in writing. This will allow you to set out your concerns in detail and to highlight the issues which are important to you.
However, we do not insist on complaints being presented in writing and we appreciate the difficulties which this can present to some of our clients. Therefore, we will register any complaint you make to us irrespective of how you present it. This means you can put your representations to us:
- in writing
- on the telephone
- by e-mail
- in person
In sections 3 and 4 of this leaflet you will find details of the person to whom complaints should be directed, together with their contact details.
3. To Whom Should I Complain?
When you first instructed us you will have received a client care letter which set out the terms on which we would advise and or represent you. Included in that letter were details of how to make a complaint. However, if you do not have that letter, then do not worry. You can direct your complaint as follows:
Mr Jamie Brown
Practice Manager
Edwards Duthie Shamash Solicitors
Bank House
269-275 Cranbrook Road Ilford Essex IG1 4TG
Tel: 0208 514 9000
Jamie.Browng@edslaw.co.uk
4. Service Standards
How quickly will you deal with and reply to my complaint?
Our objective is to register your complaint, investigate it and then send you a reply within 15 working days.
What if you cannot reply that quickly?
Then we shall contact you and advise you when we expect to be able to reply.
Who will investigate my complaint?
Generally the Partner who heads the relevant department will investigate your complaint. If your complaint concerns that Partner, your complaint will be investigated by another Partner in the Firm, or the Senior Partner. Where circumstances dictate that your complaint should be handled differently, we shall tell you so and explain why.
How quickly will you reply to subsequent letters and calls about my complaint?
We will reply to subsequent letters and calls within a maximum of 10 working days from receiving them, or if we cannot do so, we shall tell you when we expect to return to you.
Legal Ombudsman
If we have been unable to settle your complaint using our internal complaints process you have the right to complain to the Legal Ombudsman, an independent complaints body, established under the Legal Services Act 2007, that deals with legal services complaints.
You have six months from the date of our final letter to you to complain to the Legal Ombudsman.
The address is as follows:
Legal Ombudsman
PO Box 6806
Wolverhampton
WV1 9WJ
Telephone: 0300 555 0333
enquiries@legalombudsman.org.uk
www.legalombudsman.org.uk
The time limits for referring a complaint to the Legal Ombudsman are not later than:
- 6 months of receiving a final response from us about your complaint ; or
- 1 year from the date of the act or omission being complained about; or
- 1 year from the date when the complainant should have realised that there was cause for complaint.
You can also contact the Legal Ombudsman if we have not issued a final response to your complaint within a period of 8 weeks from the date of your complaint
Head Office: 269-275 Cranbrook Road
Ilford Essex IG1 4TG
Telephone 0208 514 9000
allinfo@edslaw.co.uk