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Law Society - outrageous search fees

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:{{{0())~}        Ian         مْر

:{{{0())~} Ian مْر Report 15 Dec 2005 12:41

Thought about a will, but can't find his death anywhere. Can't find his marriage, either. His brothers are all listed as executors of his fathers will, which I have sent away for in the hope it might shed some light on matters. Can't find him in any directories. All I know is that he passed his exams and lived in Richmond in 1901, next to Kew Gardens. Lost him altogether after that.

Zoe

Zoe Report 15 Dec 2005 12:40

Ian Do they allow people to go in and search for themselves? I'd be willing to make the trip for you for £1 per minute (or part thereof - we can discuss per-second billing if you so wish) seriously - if they let researchers in I'm sure someone on here would be able to pop along for you Zoe

Heather

Heather Report 15 Dec 2005 12:34

Ian, being a solicitor, chances are he left a will?

:{{{0())~}        Ian         مْر

:{{{0())~} Ian مْر Report 15 Dec 2005 12:28

I was hoping to get an outline of his career and is business. He is a bit of a mystery and married in India, I think. He may have been in the Colonial Service. Just after background really, to put flesh on the bones. You're right, I should have guessed that anything to do with the legal profession would result in an extortionate fee and poor service. Par for the course. There's no doubt that the fee is just to discourage such enquries. I've written back politely pointing out that I don't actually want a gold framed certificate or details written on vellum or calfskin, just a few details would be nice. As they are obviously so strapped for cash, I wonder if I could refer them to a charitable organisation to help them out over the xmas? And yes, I'm jealous! Ian

Heather

Heather Report 15 Dec 2005 12:17

Well, you should have guessed, we are talking solicitors arent we. In our current neighbour from hell action, ours charge £160 per hour. Thats after I have drafted the letter because they are so damn slow everyone is losing the gist of the case. Outrageous and very poor value all round. Talk about cowboys.

Merry

Merry Report 15 Dec 2005 12:13

You should have chartered engineers for your rellies instead. I asked the Institution of Civil Engineers about an ancestor and they sent me pages and pages of stuff for under a fiver!!! LOL Are you jealous? That is a terrible amount though - obviously designed to put you off bothering. What info were you hoping to gain? Merry

:{{{0())~}        Ian         مْر

:{{{0())~} Ian مْر Report 15 Dec 2005 12:06

I wrote to the law society to ask if they could help me with details of an ancestor who was a solicitor in London btwn 1885 and 1920. I got my reply this morning. They charge £117.50 per hour for this! (min fee 1 hour). As i provided all the details needed, ie date of passing exams, address, etc. the search would take them all of 1 minute. They should be wearing masks and and carrying a gun. It's reinforced my previously low opinion of the legal profession. I wish I could get a job that paid over a hundred pounds an hour. Blesse them, they must be on the bones of their a***. Ian