DUNCAN LEWIS SOLICITORS LTD

I would strongly advise anyone considering Duncan Lewis Solicitors to think very carefully before instructing them.
My experience was extremely concerning, particularly given the seriousness of the criminal matter I was facing. At a critical stage in proceedings, I was left without proper support, communication was poor, and key documents were submitted without my approval.
Draft representations provided to me by Eldemina appeared to contain content that did not relate properly to my case and gave the clear impression of being reused or copied from another matter. Basic errors, including incorrect references and descriptions, were present — issues which should have been identified and corrected before anything was sent or relied upon.
Despite raising these concerns, the matter was handled under time pressure and submitted without properly ensuring I was satisfied with the content.
Most concerning of all was the position at court. I was left effectively unrepresented at a critical stage, with my solicitor contributing little to no advocacy, leaving me in the position of having to attempt to speak for myself in circumstances where I should have been professionally represented.
This placed me under significant and unnecessary stress and has had a serious impact on my confidence in the legal process.
Following a formal complaint, the firm acknowledged failings and offered compensation, which in itself speaks volumes. However, the level of service I received fell well below what should reasonably be expected, particularly in criminal proceedings where the consequences are serious.
To be clear, this is not about dissatisfaction with an outcome — it is about the standard of service, lack of preparation, and failure to properly represent a client at a crucial time.
Based on my experience, I would not recommend this firm. Even there after the failing, no real meaningful apology was received.

Not for immigration cases