The family department of this law firm appears to be stuck in a toxic cycle of failure. Completely unable to process or investigate genuine complaints of poor service and poor outcomes for their clients.

After a call with Victoria and receiving a letter from Joanne, both of whom are partners of the firm, neither has managed to engage in a sensible or detailed conversation on the concerns raised re Karen Barham. Both appear to be relative low quality solicitors who have immediately gone into litigation mode rather than dealing with a complaint.

At what point will a senior partner of this firm step in (as previously requested) or if needed the legal ombusman, to sort this relatively simple matter out. surely these people don't want to lose their careers over this matter??

Very strange developments this afternoon. Had a call with Karen Barham and Victoria Walker today to discuss service failure, poor outcomes and excessive costs charged for my mediation service. When a conversation that occurred early in the process was played back to Karen she “played dumb” and pretended it didn’t occur, when I asked for her to put her recollection and version of events in writing to me in an email the partner on the call Victoria became defensive and evasive and threatened to end the call. Victoria also thought it was her role as the partner supervising the complaints process to argue with the client and pick holes in what she was being told. At the end of the call I asked for the name and contact details of a senior partner and was told by Victoria those would be sent - never received. I later called to speak to Victoria and was told she would call me back - never received a call back.

Overall appears to be quite toxic behaviour from senior people at this firm. Awaiting a response from the senior partners.

Very strange developments this afternoon. Had a call with Karen Barham and Victoria Walker today to discuss service failure, poor outcomes and excessive costs charged for my mediation service. When a conversation that occurred early in the process was played back to Karen she “played dumb” and pretended it didn’t occur, when I asked for her to put her recollection and version of events in writing to me in an email the partner on the call Victoria became defensive and evasive and threatened to end the call. Victoria also thought it was her role as the partner supervising the complaints process to argue with the client and pick holes in what she was being told. At the end of the call I asked for the name and contact details of a senior partner and was told by Victoria those would be sent - never received. I later called to speak to Victoria and was told she would call me back - never received a call back.

Overall appears to be quite toxic behaviour from senior people at this firm. Awaiting a response from the senior partners.