Solicitor's client account

[alreadypacked]

Parents are downsizing and its nearly at the deposit stage.

Deposit (and the balance) is paid into the solicitor's Client Account - is there a way to find out if it is indeed a client account belonging to the solicitors rather than their company account?

This is in case of solicitors going bankrupt.

The main fraud you have to worry about is getting a mail telling you where to deposit the money. You should check with the bank to make sure you have the correct account number.

'Fraudsters hacked emails to my solicitor and stole £340,000 from my property sale' - Telegraph

[Troll]

Nope local firm based in Rainham Kent that did the conveyancing for our first house

I just googled to try and find any mention of the fraud - but as it was 20+ years ago -i.e. pre internet -there is no mention - but there are an awful lot of solicitors being prosecuted for doing similar things

[Troll]

Let me guess, TI clough & co in Bradford?

Nope local firm based in Rainham Kent that did the conveyancing for our first house

[Archangel]

Dunno but I think you are covered either way by the Solicitors Regulation Authority Indemnity fund

Our third house suffered from a rogue solicitor - funds we had paid in on completion on the sale of the second house were never released to the mortgage company, instead kept to fund their life style - the first I got wind of it was when the old mortgage company got in touch at my new address about the mortgage arrears
A quick call and claim to the authorities cleared the outstanding amount. The solicitors were closed down and principles struck off and jailed - and we were not the only ones affected - wonder why supposedly clever people think they can get away with it (you listening Darren?)

Let me guess, TI clough & co in Bradford?

[AtW]

Stealing clients money is probably the only thing they can go to jail for ...

I personally would not use small firm, planning to use solicitors that my company is using, pretty old firm...

[ContractorBanking]

Are they your usual solicitor, one that was recommended to you, or the cheapest one you found on the interweb?


If they aren't your usual one, then check them out at the Solicitors Regulation Authority... https://www.sra.org.uk/home/home.page
or the Law Society... Find a Solicitor - The Law Society


Then also search on Google for reviews of them.

They're a reputable firm and certainly not the cheapest. I have no doubt they're competent, its just the issue of the account details provided, I want to be sure its a Client Account.

[WTFH]

Agreed. Hence the need to find out before the deposit is paid..

Any way of doing that?

Are they your usual solicitor, one that was recommended to you, or the cheapest one you found on the interweb?


If they aren't your usual one, then check them out at the Solicitors Regulation Authority... https://www.sra.org.uk/home/home.page
or the Law Society... Find a Solicitor - The Law Society


Then also search on Google for reviews of them.

[ContractorBanking]

A solicitor who plays fast and loose with client money doesn't stay a solicitor very long. The Law Society may be known for tending to take the side of its members in disputes, but that's the one thing that will get a lawyer crucified by their own people without mercy.

Agreed. Hence the need to find out before the deposit is paid..

Any way of doing that?

[Troll]

Parents are downsizing and its nearly at the deposit stage.

Deposit (and the balance) is paid into the solicitor's Client Account - is there a way to find out if it is indeed a client account belonging to the solicitors rather than their company account?

This is in case of solicitors going bankrupt.

Dunno but I think you are covered either way by the Solicitors Regulation Authority Indemnity fund

Our third house suffered from a rogue solicitor - funds we had paid in on completion on the sale of the second house were never released to the mortgage company, instead kept to fund their life style - the first I got wind of it was when the old mortgage company got in touch at my new address about the mortgage arrears
A quick call and claim to the authorities cleared the outstanding amount. The solicitors were closed down and principles struck off and jailed - and we were not the only ones affected - wonder why supposedly clever people think they can get away with it (you listening Darren?)

[NickFitz]

A solicitor who plays fast and loose with client money doesn't stay a solicitor very long. The Law Society may be known for tending to take the side of its members in disputes, but that's the one thing that will get a lawyer crucified by their own people without mercy.

[ContractorBanking]

Parents are downsizing and its nearly at the deposit stage.

Deposit (and the balance) is paid into the solicitor's Client Account - is there a way to find out if it is indeed a client account belonging to the solicitors rather than their company account?

This is in case of solicitors going bankrupt.