Complaints Policy

We are committed to providing a high-quality legal service and to dealing with all our clients fairly, so if you feel that something has gone wrong we need you to tell us.

Procedure

If you have a concern or complaint please contact us in writing (by letter or email) or by speaking with Clare Hancox on 01273 704525 or info@be-legal.com.

To help us to understand your complaint, and in order that we do not miss anything, please tell us:

Your full name and contact details
What you think we have got wrong
What you hope to achieve as a result of your complaint, and
Your file reference number (if you have it)

If you require any help in making your complaint we will try to help you.

How will you deal with my complaint?

1. We will record your complaint and will write to you by post or email within five working days acknowledging your complaint, enclosing a copy of this procedure.

2. We will then investigate your complaint. This will usually involve reviewing your complaint, reviewing your file(s) and other relevant and related documents.

3. The complaint will normally be investigated by our Complaints Officer, Clare Hancox, who may need to ask you for further information or documents during the course of her investigation. If so, we will ask you to provide the information within a specific period of time. We will update you on the progress of your complaint at appropriate times.

4. We may also, if appropriate, invite you to a meeting to discuss your concerns and, it is hoped, resolve your complaint. You do not have to attend if you do not wish or if you are unable to do so. We will be happy to discuss the matter with you on the telephone.

5. We will write to you at the end of our investigation to tell you what we have done and what we propose to do to resolve your complaint. Where possible, we will aim to do this within 21 days of the date of our letter of acknowledgement.

What if I am not satisfied with the outcome?

If you are unhappy with the outcome of our complaints handling procedure please let us know and give your reason(s) why, and we will review the matter. We will write to you within 14 days of receiving your request for a review stating our final position on your complaint and explaining our reasons. If we have to change any of the above timescales we will let you know and explain why. If you are still unhappy you can ask the Legal Ombudsman to look into your complaint. You can contact the Legal Ombudsman:

• By post at PO Box 6806, Wolverhampton, WV1 9WJ

• By telephone: 0300 555 0333 between 9.00 to 17.00 Monday to Friday, or

• By email: enquiries@legalombudsman.org.uk

You must usually refer your complaint to the Legal Ombudsman within six months of our final written response to your complaint and within six years of the act or omission about which you are complaining having occurred (or within three years of you becoming aware of it).

Further details are available on the website: www.legalombudsman.org.uk.

Alternative complaints bodies exist which are competent to deal with complaints about legal services should both you and our firm wish to use such a scheme. We have, however, chosen not to adopt an alternative dispute resolution process. If, therefore, you wish to complain further, you should contact the Legal Ombudsman.

What will it cost?

We will not charge you for handling your complaint. Please note however that if we have issued a bill for work done on the matter, and all or some of the bill is not paid, we may be entitled to charge interest on the amount outstanding. The Legal Ombudsman service is free of charge.

What to do if you are unhappy with our behaviour

The Solicitors Regulation Authority can help if you are concerned about our behaviour. This could be for things like dishonesty, taking or losing your money or treating you unfairly because of your age, a disability or other characteristic. Visit their website to see how you can raise your concerns with the Solicitors Regulation Authority