Firm of solicitors wont talk to me

SlowBlowin · 04-06-2019 11:46pm #1

I think this is just how the "old boys network" works but I am not sure, could someone with more knowledge confirm.

I found some land I was interested in, an abandoned plot, and I did a land registry search for the folio number, it came back and the contact was a firm of solicitors in /Mod deletion/. I emailed the solicitors to enquire if they were the correct contact for the folio and if it was for sale. My thinking was if it was I would submit an offer though a solicitor. 2 months went by so I chased again and also checked the company website to confirm the address. After another 5 weeks, I used the contact form on the website, still no reply. I dont have a land line, and I have no mobile reception at home so wanted to keep everything by email.

Am I being naive thinking that a solicitor will email me back ?

Assetbacked · 04-06-2019 11:47pm

"I dont have a land line, and I have no mobile reception at home so wanted to keep everything by email."

The most bizarre element of a rather peculiar OP.

Wesser · 04-06-2019 11:49pm

Just call them...?

SlowBlowin · 04-06-2019 11:50pm

Assetbacked wrote: »

"I dont have a land line, and I have no mobile reception at home so wanted to keep everything by email."

The most bizarre element of a rather peculiar OP.

I live up a mountain in Kerry, basically off grid.

zimmermania · 04-06-2019 11:51pm

SlowBlowin wrote: »

I think this is just how the "old boys network" works but I am not sure, could someone with more knowledge confirm.

I found some land I was interested in, an abandoned plot, and I did a land registry search for the folio number, it came back and the contact was a firm of solicitors in Tralee. I emailed the solicitors to enquire if they were the correct contact for the folio and if it was for sale. My thinking was if it was I would submit an offer though a solicitor. 2 months went by so I chased again and also checked the company website to confirm the address. After another 5 weeks, I used the contact form on the website, still no reply. I dont have a land line, and I have no mobile reception at home so wanted to keep everything by email.

Am I being naive thinking that a solicitor will email me back ?

The land is probably not for sale,if it was i presume a local auctioneer would have it advertised.

Twenty Grand · 04-06-2019 11:53pm

So you have internet, but no phone?

Call them on Viber?

SlowBlowin · 04-06-2019 11:58pm

Twenty Grand wrote: »

So you have internet, but no phone?

Call them on Viber?

Most people in this area get internet by long range wireless, so no landline.

Yes I will call them, but my question is am I stupid to expect a reply to my email from a solicitor ?

the_syco · 04-06-2019 11:59pm

SlowBlowin wrote: »

After another 5 weeks, I used the contact form on the website, still no reply. I dont have a land line, and I have no mobile reception at home so wanted to keep everything by email.

Soooo.... you have no way of being contacted by voice, and are surprised no-one has contacted you? Perhaps put a professional voicemail message on your phone, and check it every so often?

Finally, they may not want to put anything in writing about it if there's any issues with the land.

SlowBlowin wrote: »

I found some land I was interested in, an abandoned plot, and I did a land registry search for the folio number, it came back and the contact was a firm of solicitors in Tralee.

Also, consider that the person who owns the land is in a home, and the land is tied to a will.

SlowBlowin · 05-06-2019 12:02am

zimmermania wrote: »

The land is probably not for sale,if it was i presume a local auctioneer would have it advertised.

I think originally it was going to be built on, but then someone else built a house in front of the plot. Since that no one has seen any activity on the land (other than local farmer putting donkeys in there, I asked him as well.

I will call the firm, I just found the lack of reply strange/unprofessional .

SlowBlowin · 05-06-2019 12:06am

the_syco wrote: »

Soooo.... you have no way of being contacted by voice, and are surprised no-one has contacted you? Perhaps put a professional voicemail message on your phone, and check it every so often?

Finally, they may not want to put anything in writing about it if there's any issues with the land.

Also, consider that the person who owns the land is in a home, and the land is tied to a will.

Yes my question is less about the land, more about the lack of a reply. I wondered if it was normal for a solicitor not to reply to queries if there was no money in it for them ?

holliehobbie · 05-06-2019 12:08am

This is not strange at all. Even when I was paying thousands to a firm of solicitors it could be difficult to get them to contact me!

Guy:Incognito · 05-06-2019 12:10am

SlowBlowin wrote: »

I live up a mountain in Kerry, basically off grid.

The internet is hardly very off grid.

SlowBlowin · 05-06-2019 12:17am

Guy:Incognito wrote: »

The internet is hardly very off grid.

I wonder how all the YT videos off off grid life get posted then ?

Phileas Frog · 05-06-2019 12:18am

SlowBlowin wrote: »

I will call the firm .

How will you manage that with neither a landline nor mobile reception??

Twenty Grand · 05-06-2019 12:24am

Skype.

Or go to a place with a phone.

Sake, half the people in the world have a phone in their pocket. You can't get one if them to give you a lend or make a call on your behalf?

SlowBlowin · 05-06-2019 12:25am

Phileas Frog wrote: »

How will you manage that with neither a landline nor mobile reception??

We will drive to the village, get a pint, sit outside the pub and call from my mobile. If they are busy, I will have to just keep trying/get another pint, or try another day. It would be a lot easier for me by email as I only go to the village a couple of times a week..

nuac · 05-06-2019 1:00am

Mod
Location of solicitors deleted.
Is this going to lead to any legal discussion?

SlowBlowin · 05-06-2019 1:13am

nuac wrote: »

Mod
Location of solicitors deleted.
Is this going to lead to any legal discussion?

OK, sorry about the location as it is such a big place I didn't think it important.

My question is essentially is it normal practice for solicitors not to reply to a genuine query like this if they are not going to make any fees, something I would think is unprofessional ?

Peregrinus · 05-06-2019 2:29am

Their client may have instructed them not to reply. Or they may be without any instructions. They have no more obligation to correspond with you than the actual owner would, if you wrote to him.

zimmermania · 05-06-2019 9:54am

How did you determine the plot was abandoned? most plots of land look the same and if a donkey has access it cannot be abandoned.

Re contacting the solicitor why dont you slip a note under his/her door and if that fails contact one of the many Healy-Raes,they seem to have the ability to solve all the problems in Kerry.

Nanazolie · 05-06-2019 10:16am

Some solicitors won't even answer to their own clients....
Why not pay them a visit instead? Or when you manage to call, book an appointment as it's unlikely they will deal with you over the phone

Victor · 05-06-2019 10:34am

zimmermania wrote: »

How did you determine the plot was abandoned? most plots of land look the same and if a donkey has access it cannot be abandoned.

Mere grazing of animals is no indicator of ownership or lack thereof. https://www.irishtimes.com/news/the-onus-of-proof-lies-on-the-plaintiff-to-establish-adverse-possession-with-the-requisite-intent-1.974835

coylemj · 05-06-2019 11:16am

SlowBlowin wrote: »

My question is essentially is it normal practice for solicitors not to reply to a genuine query like this ................

Lots of companies have a website which include a 'Contact' section where you can fill in a form or they show an addres for general queries like info at markby dot ie but nobody ever checks that e-mail address. The developer who designed their website will have told them that it's standard practice to include that and they will have agreed but it's just window dressing.

Nothing strange about the lack of a response and it probably has nothing to do with the fact that they are in the legal profession, it has happened me with several large companies where nobody responds.

You mentioned driving to the village and callling them from a mobile, it's highly unlikely that someone will deal with you on that type of query. The person who answers the phone will put you on hold, ask around the office if anyone wans to talk to you but everyone will run for cover and then s/he'll tell you that 'everyone is busy'. You'd be much better off writing them a letter.

JustAThought · 05-06-2019 11:19am

They're not an estate agent. So far they are just a random company. When you contact them, agree fees and sign a contract for them to undertake work for you at a fee then they will probably answer you. Atm you are all expectations and not a client.

mrcheez · 05-06-2019 11:46am

I've encountered many companies that don't bother checking their email, largely due to a huge backlog of emails.

Some places even have emails go directly into their Junk unless it originates from a specific address.

Looks like phoning will be only option here.

grogi · 05-06-2019 12:02pm

SlowBlowin wrote: »

Most people in this area get internet by long range wireless, so no landline.

Yes I will call them, but my question is am I stupid to expect a reply to my email from a solicitor ?

Yes unfortunately. Solicitor or hair dresser are the same - despite having email addresses nobody ever responds.

NuttyMcNutty · 05-06-2019 12:08pm

SlowBlowin wrote: »

I think originally it was going to be built on, but then someone else built a house in front of the plot. Since that no one has seen any activity on the land (other than local farmer putting donkeys in there, I asked him as well.

And what did the donkey say?:D

NaFirinne · 05-06-2019 12:18pm

SlowBlowin wrote: »

I think this is just how the "old boys network" works but I am not sure, could someone with more knowledge confirm.

I found some land I was interested in, an abandoned plot, and I did a land registry search for the folio number, it came back and the contact was a firm of solicitors in /Mod deletion/. I emailed the solicitors to enquire if they were the correct contact for the folio and if it was for sale. My thinking was if it was I would submit an offer though a solicitor. 2 months went by so I chased again and also checked the company website to confirm the address. After another 5 weeks, I used the contact form on the website, still no reply. I dont have a land line, and I have no mobile reception at home so wanted to keep everything by email.

Am I being naive thinking that a solicitor will email me back ?

So you emailed solicitors about land they own to see if the want to sell it.

They probably just added your email to their spam list and put it on ignore.

Too many scams these days to take many emails seriously.

Your best giving them a phone call and then calling into them in person to show your serious and a genuinely interested person.

randomrb · 06-06-2019 11:08am

The solicitor who registers land is on the folio but they ahve no obligation or responsibility because of it.

They can't pass you on to the owner as that could be a data breach now or they are incapable.

The main point is that they arent auctioneers, this isn't a solicitors job

spaceHopper · 06-06-2019 12:06pm

Send them a letter in the post

IAMAMORON · 06-06-2019 3:42pm

Op is a waffle fest. Looking for trouble.

Wants to buy land but doesn't have a phone ?

Please stop answering this nonsense.

Op - it is definitely an old boy thing btw, contact your local TD and let them know. Oh sorry, how are you going to get in touch ?

Mod
IAAM, pls be nice here. It seems poster relies on email which seems reasonable

SlowBlowin · 06-06-2019 4:25pm

I must admit I am amazed/saddened at the number of people who don't believe a family can't live without a landline ?

Whats so strange, I retired, quit the city, bought land and a old house, high up in the mountains. We have no landline, and no mobile coverage but an internet connection via SCC wireless broadband.

I paid the money and instructed my solicitor today, so no need for further answers on the legal question.

IAMAMORON · 06-06-2019 4:36pm

SlowBlowin wrote: »

I must admit I am amazed/saddened at the number of people who don't believe a family can't live without a landline ?

Whats so strange, I retired, quit the city, bought land and a old house, high up in the mountains. We have no landline, and no mobile coverage but an internet connection via SCC wireless broadband.

I paid the money and instructed my solicitor today, so no need for further answers on the legal question.

Wow that was quick.

Last night you couldn't even contact the vendor now you have the land bought?

Please let me know how you managed that?

Your right, you should be both amazed and saddened... it will help you long term.

And yes quitting your job in the city to go and live on the side of a mountain is strange. You should sue the government for not providing you with better infrastructure. Bastards, its all their fault.

SlowBlowin · 06-06-2019 4:39pm

I have not bought the land, I instructed a solicitor to find out for me.

Thank you for your help.

randomrb · 06-06-2019 4:49pm

Why are you instructing a solicitor to buy land?? go to an auctioner they won't charge you half as much

SlowBlowin · 06-06-2019 5:12pm

randomrb wrote: »

Why are you instructing a solicitor to buy land?? go to an auctioner they won't charge you half as much

I am not, I have instructed a solicitor to find out who owns the land. He is going to contact the solicitor that I have been trying to speak to.

Firm of solicitors wont talk to me

Comments