HORNE ENGALL AND FREEMAN LLP

This was one of the most frustrating and disappointing professional experiences we have ever had.

As executors grieving the death of our mother, we instructed Horne, Engall & Freeman expecting professionalism, leadership, urgency, and support. Instead, we experienced delay, poor communication, lack of transparency, and what appeared to be a deeply ingrained culture of part-time working with little meaningful file coverage.

The firm’s website presents Jasmin as a solicitor, yet every email she sent identified her as an assistant/junior. Throughout more than a year handling our mother’s estate, the supervising partner, Katie McCann, never once meaningfully involved herself in our file despite us paying for professional probate services. We later discovered she only worked three days per week with private clients. She is now on long-term leave, yet the firm’s website still presents her as an active working partner with no indication she is absent.

Clients deserve transparency before instructing a firm — especially in probate matters where delays and inaction directly affect grieving families. Had we known the supervising partner worked part-time, the file handler worked four days per week, and there was effectively no proper holiday coverage, we would never have instructed this firm.

The administration itself was painfully slow. Basic information critical to inheritance tax and worldwide income calculations — including our mother’s UK pension revenues — was not requested until approximately 13 months into the process, despite the firm knowing from the outset that worldwide income disclosures would be required. The omission only surfaced because we reminded them ourselves.

Whenever Jasmin went on frequent holidays, our file simply stalled and laid dormant. Automatic email replies sent during a Jasmin vacation informed us she would respond upon returning to the office, which strongly suggested nobody else was properly overseeing or covering the file in her absence. For a legal practice handling probate matters, this is unacceptable.

The overall impression this small legal firm is a street access walk in overstretched office who lack urgency, leadership accountability, and proper client care.

Probate is already emotionally draining without having to chase lawyers they are paying for progress, uncover omissions yourself, and feel abandoned whenever their staff are absent.

We paid for experienced legal support and received a slow-moving, junior-led process with little visible partner oversight. I would strongly caution anyone considering this firm for probate , estate administration or for any of their works.

Nick was so helpful and supportive when I came to him with an employment Settlement Agreement. He was very thorough, reassuring and advised me through this stressful time. The whole team were friendly and supportive over the phone, email and in-person. I would highly recommend.

Excellent service. I was seen on the same day for an ID1 document, and Rachel, the solicitor who handled my matter, was both professional and efficient.

I recently used this firm to assist with my house purchase, and they were excellent from start to finish. Rachel Eley was professional, helpful, and kept me updated throughout the entire process.
I would highly recommend her to anyone looking for reliable and efficient solicitor.

We recently completed a successful sale & purchase through Horne Engall & Freeman and have no hesitation in highly recommending them! They went above and beyond to help get us over the line, keeping us informed at every stage and provided an excellent efficient service at a very reasonable cost. Thank you so much Ian!