When something goes wrong i.e. you are scammed out of a timeshare deal, what most people do is turn to a Solicitor.
It is the general consensus that Solicitors are reliable and trustworthy, they work in the Legal industry after all right?
What people forget is that they are just people. They work to make a living and they are as susceptible to making mistakes just like everyone else.
A reputable Solicitor will work relentlessly to assist a Client and charge a reasonable fee to do it. They are recognised on the “Roll” – (For information regarding the Roll – HERE), have strong ethics and work on the right side of the Law.
But then there are the rogues.
A YouGov survey of 1,702 adults found that 42% trust lawyers to tell the truth, down from 47% in 2011. The research suggests the public are also less confident that their consumer rights will be protected when they use lawyers.
This is because people abuse other peoples trust. They take advantage of their authority. Just because they have succeeded in becoming a “Solicitor” does not mean that they are above board.
Struck off Solicitors
You can gain access to the list which provides the name and details of the case brought against a Solicitor HERE
On the first page alone there are details of over 30 cases in which a Solicitor has been tried on a matter. All of these cases where in the last year.
If you are not fortunate enough to know a reputable Solicitor who can assist you, our advice is to treat all professionals the same. Do your background work, just like you would with a timeshare company.
The Law Society have a very useful tool on their website which anyone can use. It allows you to search a Solicitor and see what they practice, what their current status is and if there have been any reports made against them. You can also use it as a tool to check up on a firm. To access the “Find a Solicitor” tool click HERE
At the very least you should run their name and/or practice through Google to see if any reports can be found.
If you have someone in mind and would like to investigate before committing to their service then call the TCA, and we will assist you.
Always bear in mind that you are not doing anything wrong by checking up on a person to ensure they are reputable. Any decent professional will encourage you too.
For more information regarding this article or assistance in any other timeshare related issues please contact the TCA on 01908 881058 or email: info@TimeshareConsumerAssociation.org.uk