FM Pratt

Reviews by FM Pratt

IR

Irwin Mitchell

View company profile →

Nov 22, 2024

A simple enquiry for help with a…

A simple enquiry for help with a Medical Negligence claim against a former GP Surgery. I gave a brief summary of what happened and fully hoped to speak to a solicitor about the matter - getting free advice. I then got an E-Mail starting Dear Pratt (not Dear Mr. Pratt) from a Client Experience Expert saying that he's looked at my case and decided that Irwin Mitchell can't help me as the case doesn't meet their criteria. He doesn't explain what the criteria is. Sent stiff but polite E-Mail to him requesting further explanation of his snap decision. He is not a legal expert in any sense of the word. The majority of responses on Trustpilot from Irwin Mitchell are from Client Experience Experts aka Customer Services Agents judging by the E-Mail address. Maybe they do only help rich people. I had a bad experience with this firm a few years ago, so things haven't changed much judging by the one star Trustpilot reviews. Update: After liaising with Customer Service, I received an explanation, apology and a reassurance that the person concerned would be spoken to regarding their behaviour and the fact that they sent me an E-Mail which was incorrect and inaccurate. Therefore, this was a reasonable resolution and no further action was needed.

LE

Legal advice services

View company profile →

Jul 2, 2023

Not so Which? Legal services.

Which? Legal services used to be very efficient. As far back as 2015, I sought help after a hotel stay that went wrong and they advised me on what sort of letter to write. This had the desired outcome and the money was refunded. The Lawyer who helped me was so pleased when I rang him up to tell him. In 2018, again the Lawyer I spoke to was very helpful with her advice. By 2020, however, the team members had changed and service level dropped and it remains thus to the present year, although a female lawyer did assist me a few months ago, but then never followed the matter up with me. I asked them for help with various things after that and the advisor was so rude that I said a few choice words politely, but firmly, to him and hung up. I asked to speak to his supervisor, but he refused the request. Lawyer who rang was not much better and then it turned out that he was merely a Paralegal and not a qualified lawyer at all. He can only practice Law under the Alternative Business Structure system. In addition, they told me the issues I rang up about were not in their remit and advised me to pay for independent legal advice or go to Citizens advice. Awful way to treat a customer. In May of this year, I rang them up for advice and an appointment with Lawyer was booked for the 17th May, which was the next available appointment. I pointed out that I would be out all day and could not guarantee that I could get back home in time to take the call. Wherefore, I suggested that they ring me on my mobile and they agreed to do this. So, I am out all day and don't get back until after 6pm, only to find that they rang me and left a message on my landline phone. They never tried to call me on my mobile. So shortly after that, I went online and requested a callback from Which? Legal Team service. Never got the call. My partner is now going to cancel the subscription for Which? Legal services, as it is clear it is not worth paying for. It is a mystery how these cases featured in the magazine happen as I was told that they don't accept documents by E-Mail, only advise, not represent clients - unless you pay them to write a letter. They don't reply if you send them an E-Mail - yet they say that their lawyers are only a phone call or E-Mail away. What is the point of that when I ring up, but can't speak to a lawyer there and then as I am forced to make an appointment for someone to call me? I certainly wouldn't use them again. I have had better results in my searches for answers, on-line, and drawing on my acquired knowledge of Consumer Rights Law.