If you are receiving legal aid, you may not feel you have much choice in which solicitor takes your case. I was not eligible for legal aid and found myself being falsely accused of assault, about to be questioned at Elland Road police station and with an immediate need for solicitor representation! I took the recommendation to have Sugaré represent me, from someone whose knowledge of them was at least 5 years out of date! I am told, by my new solicitors (in whom I have complete confidence) that the case should have never been sent for "summons" after the police interview. The advice I was given at that time, I'm told, was wrong and lead directly to my court summons and, subsequently, trial date set. My initial consultation, and information shared with the junior partner, was not transmitted to the senior partner who represented me at summons. I attended a one hour meeting with the senior partner one week later. He had done no preparation for this and I was being charged a fixed fee of £1500+VAT for his services. He was aloof, seemed disinterested, poorly organised and his filing system lay on his desk, with confidential papers available for all to see. At 72 years of age, he has long since reached his sell-by/retirement date and is seemingly unaware of technological advances (such as email!) that are now used by modern businesses. I was left 10 minutes in his unkempt personal office, easily able (but I refrained) to read the contents of his confidential filing. Unprofessionally, he did not think it problematic to take phone calls, at my expense, during this surgery. I am so glad that I decided to relinquish the services of Anthony Sugaré. He still had the "gall" to invoice me for nearly £300 on my departure. Don't touch them with a barge-pole! read more
