Horrendous Experience with Capital Law
My Experience of Capital Law, Cardiff.
For approximately ten months I have dealt with Capital Law following the Solicitors Regulation Authority's decision to outsource an investigation concerning a substantial UK law firm and several of its current and former senior personnel.
The investigation itself has now been ongoing for approximately nineteen months.
It concerns allegations of serious professional misconduct involving a former partner of Shakespeare Martineau LLP, including my allegation that he sought to solicit payment from me in connection with inflicting physical harm upon a former borrower of my company at the time, Central Bridging.
I also raised wider concerns regarding what senior individuals within the firm knew, when they knew it, what action they took, and whether appropriate reporting obligations were complied with. Evidence of these allegations against the COLP & CEO of the firm were provided to the SRA 10 months ago.
Given the seriousness of those matters, I expected a thorough investigation coupled with professional communication.
Instead, over many months I have repeatedly requested nothing more than a brief telephone conversation with those conducting the investigation.
The matter has been passed between different individuals within Capital Law, including Anna McIntyre, Lucy Emanuel (Partner, Commercial Disputes) and more recently Paul Chadwick (Forensic Accountant, Commercial Disputes).
Despite repeated requests over several months, and eight separate telephone calls to Mr Chadwick alone in the last three weeks, not one of those calls has ever been returned. Every voicemail has been followed by a polite email requesting a call back.
Throughout this process I have never sought confidential documents, privileged material or draft findings. I have simply asked for the courtesy of a telephone conversation before conclusions are reached, particularly after nineteen months of investigation and ten months dealing directly with Capital Law. I do not regard that as an unreasonable request.
For me, the issue is no longer simply the outcome of the investigation. It is also the manner in which complainants are treated throughout the process. My experience has been one of delay, limited communication and an unwillingness to engage directly, despite repeated courteous requests.
Readers can draw their own conclusions.
Mine have been formed through my own experience of both the SRA & Capital Law.
John Clifford BSc. (Hons)