Doswell Law is committed to providing a high quality legal service and to dealing with complaints from our clients fairly. We acknowledge that we may not always get it right so if something has gone wrong, including in relation to the invoice, we need you to tell us.

1 How do I make a complaint?

1.1 You can contact Henry Doswell in writing by post or email or by speaking with him. The practice’s address is Stoke House, Church Road, Ashford, Kent, TN23 1RD and Henry Doswell’s email address is henry@doswell-law.com. Henry Doswell can also be contacted on 01233 722942 or 07765 252976.

1.2 To help us to understand your complaint, and in order that we do not miss anything, please tell us:
1.2.1 your full name and contact details;
1.2.2 what you think we have got wrong;
1.2.3 what you hope to achieve as a result of your complaint; and
1.2.4 your file reference number (if you have it).

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

2 How will you deal with my complaint?

2.1 We will record your complaint centrally.

2.2 We will usually write to you within three working days acknowledging your complaint, enclosing a copy of this policy.

2.3 We will investigate your complaint. This will usually involve:
2.3.1 reviewing your complaint; and
2.3.2 reviewing your file(s) and other relevant documents.

2.4 We may also need to ask you for further information or documents. If so, we will ask you to provide the information within a specific period of time.

2.5 We will update you on the progress of your complaint at appropriate times. We will try to complete the investigation within 14 days of receiving your complaint.

2.6 We may also, if appropriate, invite you to a meeting to discuss your complaint. You do not have to attend if you do not wish to or if you are unable to. We will be happy to discuss the matter with you on the telephone. We will aim to confirm the outcome of the meeting or telephone conversation in writing within three working days.

2.7 If a meeting or telephone conversation was not possible or required 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 receiving your complaint.

3 What if I am not satisfied with the outcome?

3.1 If you are unhappy with the outcome of our complaints handling procedure please first let us know and we will review the matter. We have eight weeks to consider your complaint.

3.2 If you are still unhappy (and provided you have given us eight weeks to consider it) you can ask the Legal Ombudsman to look into your complaint. You can contact the Legal Ombudsman:
3.2.1 by post at PO Box 6167, Slough, SL1 0EH;
3.2.2 by telephone: 0300 555 0333; or
3.2.3 by email: enquiries@legalombudsman.org.uk

3.3 You must usually refer your complaint within six months of our final written response to your complaint and within one year of the act or omission about which you are complaining occurring or within one year of you realising there was a concern.

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

4 What will it cost?

4.1 We will not charge you for handling your complaint.

4.2 Please note that if we have issued an invoice for work done on the matter, and all or some of the invoice is not paid, we may be entitled to charge interest on the amount outstanding.

4.3 The Legal Ombudsman service is free of charge.

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA)

You also have the right to make a report to the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) in the event that your complaint relates to;

  • A breach of a Principle of the SRA Standards and Regulations 2019 and/or;
  • Allegations of dishonesty or discrimination.

To make a report see https://www.sra.org.uk/consumers/problems/report-solicitor page or contact the SRA at:

Solicitors Regulation Authority
The Cube
199 Wharfside Street
Birmingham
B1 1RN
Tel : 0370 606 2555