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Complaints Policy

  1. We are committed to providing a high quality legal service and to dealing with all 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.

How do I make a complaint?

  1. You can contact us in writing by letter to: 

Mr. Richard Ratcliffe, Ratcliffes Solicitors, 22 Park Road, Sittingbourne, Kent ME101DR;

Or by email: office@ratcliffes.org.

  1. To help us to understand your complaint, and in order that we do not miss anything, please tell us:
  • your full name and contact details
  • what you think we have got wrong
  • what you hope to achieve as a result of your complaint, and
  • your file reference number (if you have it)
  1. If you require any help in making your complaint we will try to help you.

How will you deal with my complaint?

  1. We will record your complaint centrally.
  2. We will write to you within seven working days acknowledging your complaint, enclosing a copy of this policy if you have not already been provided with one.
  3. We will investigate your complaint. This will usually involve:
  • reviewing your complaint
  • reviewing your file(s) and other relevant documents, and
  • speaking with the person who dealt with your matter
  1. 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. 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.
  3. We will update you on the progress of your complaint at appropriate times. 
  4. 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. We will aim to do this within eight weeks of the date of our letter of acknowledgement. 

What if I am not satisfied with the outcome?

  1. If you are unhappy with the outcome of our complaints handling procedure please first let us know and we will review the matter. 
  2. If you are still unhappy you can ask the Legal Ombudsman to look into your complaint. You can contact the Legal Ombudsman:
  • by post at PO Box 6806, Wolverhampton, WV1 9WJ
  • by telephone: 0300 555 0333, or
  • by email: enquiries@legalombudsman.org.uk
  1. You must usually refer your complaint within six months of our final written response to your complaint. Further details are available on the website: www.legalombudsman.org.uk.
  2. The Solicitors Regulation Authority can help you 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, disability or other characteristics. You can raise your concerns with the Solicitors Regulation Authority (https://www.sra.org.uk/consumers/problems/report-solicitor/). You can also call the Solicitors Regulation Authority on 0370 606 2555.

What will it cost?

  1. We will not charge you for handling your complaint. 
  2. Please note that if we have issued an invoice for work done on the matter, and all or some of the bill is not paid, we may be entitled to charge interest on the amount outstanding.
  3. The Legal Ombudsman service is free of charge.
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