Should your solicitor prove elusive, endeavor to establish contact through alternative means, be it via electronic mail or dispatching a composed missive of a more formal nature. Should these endeavors prove futile, it may behoove you to contemplate engaging the services of an alternative legal representative and seeking counsel regarding the appropriate course of action.
If you require more information, continue reading
If you find yourself in a situation where your solicitor is not returning your calls, it is important to take proactive steps to address the issue and ensure your legal matters are properly attended to. Here are some detailed suggestions to help you navigate this situation:
-
Utilize alternative means of communication: If your solicitor is proving elusive and not responding to your phone calls, try reaching out through alternate channels. Send an email or a written letter to their office, clearly expressing your concerns and the urgency of the matter. Be sure to request a prompt response and provide your contact information.
-
Consider the urgency and nature of your inquiry: Before taking further action, evaluate the urgency and importance of your situation. If it is a pressing legal matter requiring immediate attention, emphasize this when attempting to establish contact. This will help convey the urgency and increase the chances of a response.
-
Seek assistance from their support staff: Solicitors often have support staff or assistants who handle client communications. Reach out to them, explain the situation, and request their assistance in getting a response from your solicitor. They may be able to provide updates on your case or act as a mediator in resolving the communication issue.
-
Consult your initial agreement or engagement letter: Review any documentation you have regarding your engagement with the solicitor. Look for specific timelines or modes of communication outlined in your agreement. This will help assess whether your solicitor’s lack of response is in violation of the agreed terms.
-
Consider engaging an alternative legal representative: If all attempts to establish contact fail and you are met with continued silence from your solicitor, it may be necessary to seek the services of a new legal representative. A different solicitor can advise you on the appropriate course of action to handle your case and address any issues related to the previous solicitor’s lack of communication.
A quote relevant to this situation from Abraham Lincoln: “He has a right to criticize who has a heart to help.”
Some interesting facts to consider in this context:
- Clear and open communication is crucial for a successful solicitor-client relationship.
- Solicitors are obligated to maintain regular and effective communication with their clients.
- The solicitor-client relationship is typically governed by a professional code of conduct that emphasizes effective communication and timely responses.
- In some cases, a breakdown in communication with your solicitor may be due to unforeseen circumstances, such as illness or personal emergencies. However, even in such cases, alternative arrangements should be made to ensure continuity of service.
Here’s an example of a simple table outlining potential actions to take in the given situation:
| Steps to Take When Solicitor Isn’t Returning Calls |
|---|
| 1. Attempt alternative means of communication (email, written letter) |
| 2. Evaluate the urgency of your inquiry and emphasize it |
| 3. Seek assistance from the solicitor’s support staff |
| 4. Review your initial agreement or engagement letter |
| 5. Consider engaging a new legal representative if all else fails |
Remember, it is important to consult with a legal professional or regulatory authority to ensure you are following the appropriate steps based on your jurisdiction and individual circumstances.
Watch related video
In this video, attorney Elizabeth Weinstein provides guidance on what to do if your attorney is not returning your calls or emails. She suggests considering the possible reasons for their lack of response, such as personal emergencies or technical issues, before taking action. Weinstein advises sending a follow-up email or voicemail expressing your concern and requesting confirmation of receipt. If necessary, you can try contacting someone else in their office or checking their social media for updates. If all else fails, you can try reaching out through a different method of communication. Additionally, Weinstein discusses the importance of assessing the urgency of your situation and considering finding a new attorney if necessary.
Check out the other solutions I discovered
If your lawyer is not responding to your calls, you should escalate the communication. Consider asking them for your file, send them a certified letter describing your issue or what you need from them. Request an in-person meeting so that you can get direct answers regarding your claim.
Lawyers: A Client’s Manual by Joseph McGinn tells the steps to use if you’ve reached the point of no return: Tell your lawyer directly and give your reasons. Send your lawyer a letter of dismissal and retain a copy. Arrange to pay any outstanding charges. Pick up the file as soon as possible. Select another lawyer.
If you have an attorney that won’t call you back and not responding, call the office. Make an appointment. Go in and meet with them and if that doesn’t solve your problem, then get a different attorney on board and fire the first one.
However, you’ve really got three options: 1) You can send your lawyer a formally written letter and hope they shape up or wait until mediation to see how things play out; 2) You can terminate their representation; or 3) You can get a different attorney.
A good way to deal with this situation is to write or fax the lawyer a straightforward letter explaining your difficulty in communicating and asking for a phone call or meeting to re-establish or restore your relationship.
But on the theory that if the attorney screws up it’s the client who usually suffers, here are a couple of steps that defendants can take to try to secure effective communication with their lawyers:
You will most likely be intrigued
What do I do if my lawyer is not answering my calls?
In reply to that: If your lawyer does not return your call, send them a letter and keep a copy. In the letter, describe what is bothering you and what you need. Suggest meeting with the lawyer face-to-face. Your next step would depend on the nature of the problem.
Is it normal for your lawyer not to call you back?
Attorneys are busy professionals. They have many other clients to keep up with in addition to you. They are in court, depositions, mediation, meeting with clients or dealing with personal matters, so if they do not immediately return your call, do not take it personal and overreact.
How long should I wait for my lawyer to reply?
The reply will be: Even if your lawyer is working on another case, they should still get back to you within a day or two at the most. Your lawyer owes you responsive communication, even if you’re not their only client. There’s no excuse for an attorney who takes weeks to return calls or emails.
Why would a lawyer call and not leave a message?
Three reasons come to mind: They called you in error, realized it, and hung up rather than leaving a message. They’re younger and, as a matter of custom, generally don’t leave messages for anyone since caller ID shows they called and the recipient can presumably figure out that means they should call back.
Why is my lawyer not returning my calls?
Reason #1: Your lawyer isn’t returning your calls. Lack of communication is a big problem for some law firm clients. Yes, legal practices are very busy. They have lots of clients — not just you. However, before a lawyer signs on to take your case, they need to know if the firm has the capacity to handle it.
Can I cancel my contract if my Attorney doesn’t respond?
I am sorry to hear about your frustration with the lack of response from your present attorney. You can cancel your contract at any time. Your options typically include 1) staying with the same attorney, 2) hiring another attorney, or 3) handling the case yourself.
What should I do if my Attorney doesn’t respond?
Answer will be: You’re giving your attorney the chance to grow as a professional and do a better job for you going forward. If you have an attorney that won’t call you back and not responding, call the office. Make an appointment. Go in and meet with them and if that doesn’t solve your problem, then get a different attorney on board and fire the first one.
What if I don’t return a call or send an email?
The reply will be: If you call or send an email, you expect a response within a reasonable amount of time. But when failure to return calls or answer emails becomes the norm, you may wish to break ties and seek new representation. Good communication is a cornerstone of a strong attorney-client relationship.
What if my lawyer refuses to return my calls?
Answer will be: Use your good sense (referenced above) however. If your lawyer absolutely refuses to return your calls, get another lawyer. Your family law matter is too important and lawyers are too expensive for you to be out of the loop.
What should I do if my lawyer doesn’t respond?
The response is: It’s hard to know what to do when your lawyer doesn’t respond. But you don’t have to stand for being ignored. Your claim is important, and if your lawyer doesn’t seem to understand that, it may be time to look for a new lawyer. If your lawyer’s neglect has negatively affected your case, they may have even committed legal malpractice.
Can a lawyer send a phone call to the Ombudsman?
In reply to that: You should ask the lawyers permission before you send recordings of phone calls. Depending on your case and their findings, the Legal Ombudsman has the power to order the lawyer to refund fees, to return documents or to pay compensation. Is there a deadline for contacting the Ombudsman?
What if I don’t return a call or send an email?
The reply will be: If you call or send an email, you expect a response within a reasonable amount of time. But when failure to return calls or answer emails becomes the norm, you may wish to break ties and seek new representation. Good communication is a cornerstone of a strong attorney-client relationship.