COLLYER BRISTOW TRUSTEES LIMITED

My family and I have been really happy with the ongoing support from Aidan Grant regarding our transatlantic estate planning. Aidan really does ‘have your back’ and his granular expertise has taken what was a very stressful situation into something we could tackle, understand, manage and plan for. Start with his detailed podcasts which have also been such an eye opener. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Aidan to friends and family on both sides of the Atlantic.

Don’t be fooled by their glossy website and the loud claims there of being a “premium brand” providing “high quality legal advice tailored for every client with a personalised and collaborative approach, and with ongoing, hands-on partner involvement”.

They will say and certainly charge fees like they mean it, but the actual quality of legal assistance and client care will be nowhere near it, potentially causing me even more issues later on.

Even more astonishing is the level of arrogance, entitlement and lack of interest to make things right from the partner when informed of the shortcomings in the quality of their legal assistance and client care.

There are way too many decent alternatives in London for their type of work and size like Farrer & Co, Fladgate, Lewis Silkin, Harbottle & Lewis (and lots more) – try them instead.

I wake up during the night so upset by how poor this firm was at representing me. I complained about the partner, Sarah. My friend advised after that, that she had provided incorrect advice. I wish I had never used this firm as a claimant employee. They said I would settle at a low rate when I never said I wanted to settle. They did not take instructions from me before trying to negotiate when it was too early and I had no intention to do so. Sarah is not nice to deal with.

Very bad experience. They did not take time to learn about my case. A brand new trainee reviewed the information I sent them and not the solicitor. The solicitor then told the other side I would settle at a low amount when I had never discussed us doing at such an early stage. I did not consent to this. I was unable to ask for a higher settlement as a result. The solicitor was very difficult to deal with. Instructing the solicitor at Collyer Bristow was more stressful than the initial event that had caused me to come to the firm. I spent a long time drafting a complaint about my experience of instructing Collyer Bristow which was reviewed by another partner. The partner said they would respond to my compliant by a certain date but never did. Instead they went on holiday and forgot to reply. When I contacted them when they were on holiday I received a reply from their email that just said my complaint had no merit. They clearly did not have time to review my complaint just like they didn't have time to review the documents I sent them. They put me in an awful position whereby I was limited in the amount I could obtain as a settlement offer. I also did all the work in drafting my appeal to my former employer. There was little point is instructing Collyer Bristow and in paying their fees. Employing Collyer Bristow was an awful experience and created so much additional stress and upset. I wanted to progress my complaint to the Legal Ombudsman Service but by that time it just wanted to avoid any further communication with or about Collyer Bristow.

I had a case with this law firm for researching on a legal matter in order to have a smart plan or at least an advice to move forward. All I received is some references to the Law without any interpretation or guidance. They are cheaper from other law firm but the money will be completely wasted!! So better pay the extra fees and go with a professional firm in case you want some results.