J Patel
Ignored Instructions to Pause Work – Still Charged £1,440 Out of £1,620 My experience with Hine Solicitors during a property purchase was extremely disappointing. On 23 April 2025 I clearly informed the solicitor in writing that I was unavailable and asked if they could wait until around 20 May before expecting any response from me. Despite this, on 6 May 2025 I received an email attaching a Contract Report for the property. In the same email the solicitor stated that the seller’s solicitor and the estate agent were asking for confirmation that searches and enquiries were satisfied. From the screenshot attached you can see this timeline clearly: • 23 April – I requested they wait until after my exams • 6 May – Contract Report sent despite that request During this time there was also constant pressure from the estate agent, with frequent emails asking for updates and pushing for completion dates. The property later raised asbestos concerns in the survey, and the purchase ultimately did not proceed. The property itself had issues identified during the process, including asbestos concerns, and it appeared the property had previously struggled to sell. During this time there was constant pressure from the estate agent, who was contacting me and my solicitor frequently asking for updates and pushing for completion dates. Despite explaining multiple times that I could not deal with the matter, the solicitor continued to contact me and proceeded with work I had asked them to pause. The original quote for legal work was approximately £1,620, yet I was invoiced £1,440 in legal fees even though the purchase never reached exchange or completion. After the transaction fell through, the estate agent informed me that a new buyer was interested in purchasing the search reports, which could have allowed me to recover £309.52. However, the firm confirmed they would not release the searches. I ultimately paid the invoice for work that I had asked them to pause. Because of this experience I have submitted formal complaints to the Legal Ombudsman and the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). For transparency, I have included screenshots of the email timeline so readers can see the instructions I gave and the dates involved. Anyone reading this review can verify that the events described are based on real correspondence.