At some point in our lives, we require legal help to go through personal or commercial matters. Unfortunately, this doesn’t always live up to expected standards and can be detrimental to our situations. It’s important to know how to spot the signs of negligent advice or ineffective services so you know to go elsewhere or have professional negligence solicitors act on your behalf. With the Legal Ombudsman resolving 7,918 complaints in 2023/24 and finding poor service in 69% of investigated cases, recognising these warning signs early can save considerable time, money, and frustration.

1. Lack of Progress

There should be a clear strategy for your case, and your solicitor should be making measurable progress. If you find months pass without any real difference, this could indicate your case has been pushed to the bottom of the pile. A competent solicitor will establish realistic timelines, set achievable milestones, and communicate regularly about developments or delays. They should explain what steps they’re taking, what responses they’re awaiting, and what the next stages involve. Ask them to set some short-term objectives and meet them. If they consistently fail to deliver on promised deadlines or cannot provide reasonable explanations for delays, you may choose to go elsewhere where you’ll be treated as a priority.

1. Poor Communication

Whilst it’s common for there to be certain periods where you don’t receive frequent updates from your solicitor, consistent unresponsiveness could signal a problem. If you call and are repeatedly told you’ll receive a response but never do, this is poor professional service. According to recent Legal Ombudsman data, inadequate communication remains one of the most frequent complaint categories, with solicitors failing to keep clients updated or respond to messages. Even when matters aren’t urgent, a response within a reasonable timeframe is a legitimate expectation. Professional solicitors acknowledge correspondence promptly, even if only to confirm receipt and provide estimated response times for more detailed queries.

1. Incorrect Billing and Legal Fees

This is a particular issue if you’re being charged on an hourly basis. Numerous people might work on your case who earn different hourly wages, and any records or bills should clearly state who worked on the case, what they did, and how long it took them. Transparent billing includes detailed descriptions of tasks performed, dates of work completed, and time spent on each activity. If you find them unable to justify charges or provide adequate breakdowns of work completed, it could raise concerns about billing practices. Professional firms maintain good time records and can explain fee structures clearly. Be wary of unexpected charges, vague descriptions of work performed, or reluctance to provide detailed billing information when requested.

1. Imprudent Conduct

If you find they’re always late to appointments or cancel at the last minute, it shows that your case isn’t essential to them. Failure to arrive at meetings with the right documentation or filing things incorrectly indicates it’s time to part ways. You could even lose your case because of this incompetence. Professional conduct encompasses reliability, preparation, and attention to detail. Solicitors must maintain high professional standards and treat clients with respect and consideration. This includes punctuality, thorough preparation for meetings, accurate record-keeping, and proper case management. Repeated instances of unprofessional behaviour suggest fundamental problems with the solicitor’s approach to client service and case management.

Recognising these warning signs empowers you to take action before poor service impacts your legal matter. Whether seeking alternative representation or pursuing complaints through appropriate channels, addressing these issues promptly protects both your interests and your case outcomes.