EXCLUSIVE LAW COMPLAINT POLIICY

INTRODUCTION

Exclusive Law is regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. (SRA).  Our SRA number is 669522.

As part of our authorisation we are required to have effective procedures in place for the handling of client complaints.

 In addition to our regulatory responsibilities, we believe that the fair treatment of customers is central to our corporate philosophy and therefore an effective Customer Engagement Program is critical to our business.

DEFINITION OF A COMPLAINT

For the purpose of this policy, the SRA define a complaint as an expression of dissatisfaction (oral or written) which alleges that the complainant has suffered (or may suffer):

• financial loss
• distress
• inconvenience
• other detriment

HOW DO YOU MAKE A COMPLAINT?

You can contact our Head of Customer Experience (Jo Johnson), as follows:

• By email at jo.johnson@exclusivelaw.co.uk
• By post at Exclusive Law, 2nd Floor, St Georges House, 56 Peter Street, Manchester, M2 3NQ
• We will write to you within five working days of receipt, acknowledging your complaint.

To help us to understand your complaint, and to make sure we can address your concerns effectively, please tell us:

• Your full name and contact details
• What you think has gone wrong
• What you believe will resolve your complaint

HOW WILL WE DEAL WITH YOUR COMPLAINT?

• We will investigate your complaint.
• Your complaint will be dealt with promptly, fairly, and free of charge.
• We will request information from the individual handling the matter you have complained about
• We may need to contact you for further information.
• We will update you on the progress of your complaint as appropriate.
• We will write to you at the end of our investigation to tell you the outcome and our proposed resolution
• We aim to resolve your complaint within 8 weeks of receipt. If we cannot keep to this timescale, for whatever reason, we will write and inform you of this providing you with an update and an assessment of when we believe we can resolve your complaint.
• If we cannot resolve the complaint to your satisfaction within 8 weeks, you have the right to refer your complaint to the Legal Ombudsman Service

OUTCOME OF YOUR COMPLAINT

• Once we have investigated your complaint, and in accordance with the above, we will write to you with our decision.  This decision may uphold or reject your complaint all or in part and suggest redress If we believe it is appropriate.

WHAT IF YOU ARE NOT SATISFIED WITH THE OUTCOME?

The Legal Ombudsman can help you if we are unable to resolve your complaint ourselves. They will look at your complaint independently and it will not affect how we handle your case.

Before accepting a complaint for investigation, the Legal Ombudsman will check that you have tried to resolve your complaint with us first. If you have, then you must take your complaint to the Legal Ombudsman:

• Within six months of receiving a final response to your complaint, and

• No more than one year from the date of the act or omission being complained about; or
• No more than one year from the date when the complainant should have realised that there was cause for complaint.

If you would like more information about the Legal Ombudsman, please contact them.

Legal Ombudsman Contact details

Visit www.legalombudsman.org.uk

Call 0300 555 0333 between 10am to 4pm.

Relay UK: 18001 0300 555 0333

Email enquiries@legalombudsman.org.uk

Legal Ombudsman PO BOX 6167, Slough, SL1 0EH

WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE UNHAPPY WITH OUR BEHAVIOUR 

The Solicitors Regulation Authority can help if you are concerned about our behaviour. This could be for things like dishonesty, taking or losing your money or treating you unfairly because of your age, a disability or other characteristic.

Visit their website to see how you can raise your concerns with the https://www.sra.org.uk/consumers/problems/report-solicitor/