Cartmell Shepherd

Disappointing handling of divorce

I went to Cartmells originally because of the good things I'd heard about the property team and assumed that quality permeated throughout the firm. Sadly not... I was originally told to budget up to £4,800, Cartmells have since requested/ been paid over £32,000. I was specifically told I would not be charged for the solicitor attending court with the Barrister, the solicitor has since confirmed there was a charge for her time on my invoice. It was a needs based case and my ex had not declared an asset (technicality - this would reduce the amount she needed, leaving more for me), the solicitor excused not including this by saying it would not have made a difference to the outcome... These are simply illustrations, my complaint will extend to many items over many pages. The Managing Director claims I had received excellent service and was not overcharged. It feels like being on "Candid Camera" but isn't the slightest bit funny. I have had to pay the balance of the bill to obtain my files from the divorce, so that I can make a full complaint. I have been told they weren't ignoring my emails from 3 weeks ago asking for the files, the emails were apparently in the solicitors junk mail and the she hadn't realised, strange that a legal firms systems are such that you can send them emails which they don't realise they have received until you chase them 3 weeks later. No doubt this will go to the Legal Ombudsman in order to hold them to account. As if the divorce wasn't stressful enough... Unable to recommend Cartmells for the handling of the divorce or the MDs subsequent response to questions on the quality of service and the charges. If you could select zero stars I would.