Talbots Law

Talbots acted for our buyers when we recently sold our flat. The whole process from sale to completion took over 7 months which is despite it being a chain free sale to an FTB AND Talbots had previously acted for us when we purchased the flat. We provided Talbots the authority to access that file in the hope of speeding up the sale process but they seemed to ignore that request. There are several problems with Talbots: Firstly, they are disorganised (they were asking questions after 6 months that should have been asked on day 1 plus, they raised questions on several occasions that had already been answered). They have no concern for transaction efficiency, they would typically take 10-14 days to review any communication and then send follow up question that were simply not logical or thought through. They were inconsistent. When we purchased the property Talbots took a view of certain matters that they took a different position on when we sold the flat, despite there being no change in the law. They refuse to follow convention leading to significant delays. In our case, this is a leasehold property where Talbots refused to engage directly with the management company, instead insisting that all queries were put through our own lawyer. An additional and unnecessary cog in the wheel since, if answers were received exactly as requested another loop of Q&A were started. Talbots attempted to blame out lawyer for delays which was emphatically not the case. It was impossible to get a list of outstanding points from them as it seems that every time they picked up the file, new queries were raised. At the end of the day, its difficult to see what commercial model Talbots are working with as it cannot be good for business to run protracted sale processes (which ultimately receive a fixed fee). Indeed, it would be difficult not to conclude that either their lawyers are overworked, lack the appropriate competencies or probably both.

After accepting an offer on our house in Jan Talbot's were instructed to deal with the sale. I asked they post documents as I didn't want to use their conveyancing app at an extra cost. Their own contract stated it was NOT advisable to use email as a way to communicate because of the risk of security issues. Their contract was posted and I hand delivered it back. As the sale progressed I started to receive emails from them. As I had been assigned a trainee solicitor I reminded her that I'd requested using the post but she took no notice and continued to email. I'd given Talbot's all the information I could regarding the house which they ask you for so they'd have it upfront if they needed to answer questions from the buyer's solicitor but I was constantly being asked to answer the same questions. I could only answer from memory as they'd got the documents. I complained about this but it was ignored. Of course all these questions were sent in an email but at that point nothing confidential had been included. I asked for copies of the correspondence Talbot's were sending to the buyers solicitors to see how they'd worded the answers. I was sent yet another email attaching numerous letters/emails that Talbot's had sent and received which included private and confidential information relating not only to my husband and I, but to that of the buyers as well. The email was not encrypted. I complained about this but it was initially ignored. I couldn't believe afterwards that the contract and TR1 Form was emailed to me containing yet more private information about both parties. My complaint was finally referred to Emma Taylor the manager. She emailed asking if she could call me but I was away. When I returned I left a message on her answer machine but she didn't call back. From that point I copied Emma into every non confidential email I sent. I had put forward two potential move dates but nothing came from those. When I chased this up with my trainee solicitor she said she had found out 6 days earlier there was a problem with the buyer's mortgage offer. If I hadn't have called, I wouldn't have known this. I rang the estate agents who looked into this for me. When we thought the matter was resolved another move date was put forward but this wasn't confirmed by Talbots. The matter however had not been resolved. After another phone call to the estate agents for help, they told me a move date had been agreed of 23/6/23 but Talbot's still hadn't told me. We hadn't even exchanged contracts. I'd actually told them to cancel the 23rd because (as we hadn't had it confirmed) we had got other things we needed to do. When I emailed i received an automated message to say the solicitor was on holiday until 19/6/23 so how it was all going to go ahead for the 23rd I don't know! When she did call me I really was angry. She had been back four days (which was the 23rd) but hadn't bothered to contact me. Obviously we couldn't go ahead but did exchange contracts on 23rd. After that things sped up a bit and a move date was agreed. I received an email with the final bill for services etc. Bearing in mind I'd requested a reduction on their costs because of poor service and the data protection email issue, no reduction had been made. I queried this but was told if I didn't accept the bill as it was, completion may be delayed. I said I would accept the bill but as I had already put in a complaint I'd continue with it after completion which I still am. I was initially offered £100 off Talbot's fees as they agreed that they should have been sending documents by post. I refused it. They have failed to accept the email data protection issue and just cannot see what they've done wrong. This matter is now being passed to the solicitors regulatory authority for further investigation. I would not recommend this firm of solicitors as I can see from other reviews many other people wouldn't either. After 6.5 months with only 2 in the chain we finally moved!

I don't know how to describe my feelings right now when Xmas is coming and the house hasn't been taken yet. My case was a simple case but it took them 5 months and it still hasn't been completed. could never contact them. I am so stressful 😢

Currently using Talbots Law as our solicitors for our house sale, getting zero communication from them regarding the process and estimated completion dates . Calling daily and emailing regularly but get ignored and they’re supposed to be acting on MY behalf. Shocking customer service and can’t wait for the sale to go through so I don’t have to deal with these amateurs again.

I am not sure I can put into words how poor the service from Talbots Waterfront office has been. Our buyer was using Talbots & they have, without doubt, made our move far more stressful than it needed to be. They have sat on responses for weeks prior to responding. This has ranged from just a week, up to 4 weeks! They have failed to communicate, not responding to multiple calls & emails from our solicitors & estate agent & even their client! At times meaning we had no clue how close to being ready they were, what was needed etc! The rest of the chain was ready to complete 6 weeks before Talbots. Suddenly we were told they were satisfied & ready to exchange, but that we had to move 7 days later as their clients mortgage deal expired that day….something they’d never mentioned before! All making it very last minute & meaning we were moving at a time when it was actually very inconvenient. Despite them saying they were ready communication again stopped & we were unsure when exchange would actually happen! At one point our solicitor had a conversation with us about the possibility of the chain collapsing less than a week before we were due to move. Exchange did finally happen, but again it was very last minute, 2 working days before completion & it appeared it happened only when they were chased! Not only was the solicitor unresponsive, her manager was the same, therefore even raising the concerns appeared to have little impact. The only positive from Talbots was it highlighted just how amazing our solicitors was! Having read the reviews it appears it is a mixed bag at Talbots & maybe we were unlucky, but I would suggest not taking that risk!