IRWIN MITCHELL LLP

Absolutely superb solicitors
All I can say is that anything you need from a solicitor then this is the company to use. Had a lot of problems after my sister died and she was an only parent. But the help and support I received to help with my nephews inheritance and trust fund was outstanding. I dealt with Rebecca Ratcliffe and she has been an absolute saint with everything. I can’t thank her enough in my eyes

Title:
£40,000 Legal Fees – Then Dropped by Irwin Mitchell Without Safeguarding or Support

Review:
As a vulnerable client, I paid over £40,000 to Irwin Mitchell for employment law advice. My solicitor was Danielle Parsons, a Senior Associate in the Employment team. The case was overseen by Shah Qureshi, Partner in the London office and Head of the firm’s Professional Discipline and Employment team.

I expected professional, safeguarding-aware support. Instead, I was cut off entirely just before two major tribunal deadlines.

For weeks, I sent escalating emails to Danielle Parsons asking for urgent help. I received no response. She was still actively working and in the office, yet repeatedly failed to reply. The firm had attended the preliminary hearing and had been sent the tribunal orders. They knew the deadlines. Still, I had no legal input and no way to move forward. My mental health was deteriorating.

On 13 February 2024, I made a formal complaint stating I was vulnerable, struggling, and needed urgent assistance. The next day, the Client Care team reassured me in writing:

“Your complaint will not have any impact on the deadlines in respect of your case… your case will continue.”

That statement turned out to be false.

At 2:37am on 15 February, I sent a detailed, distressed email to Shah Qureshi, explaining my mental health situation and pleading for support. His entire response was one sentence:

“I understand Danielle is currently dealing with your query.”

That was not true. She wasn’t dealing with it. I had no contact, no help, no plan. Then, at 4:48pm on Friday 16 February, I received an email from Ms Parsons, beginning with:

“Good afternoon, I hope you’re having a good day so far.”

Attached was a termination letter.
No support.
No safeguarding.
No strategy.
Just dropped.

I collapsed. After everything I had been through, and everything I had paid, they walked away.

Earlier in the case, I had even been asked to draft legal submissions myself. On 13 August 2023, Danielle Parsons emailed me:

“You may prefer to draft a letter to the tribunal explaining this as if you were us, and we can work on this letter for you.”

I was unwell, but I did the work. They used it.

After they dropped me, I showed this to a senior partner at another Legal 500 firm. He was shocked. He told me no firm should behave this way. By then, no one would take on my case — the deadlines were too close. I had no choice but to act as a litigant in person, with no legal knowledge and no guidance. Completely devastating.

Despite escalating complaints, Irwin Mitchell’s final response on 16 June 2025 was cold, defensive, and dismissive. It showed no recognition of my vulnerability, no safeguarding accountability, and no remorse.

Only after the Legal Ombudsman became involved did they belatedly offer to review their conduct.

Irwin Mitchell promotes itself as a safeguarding-aware firm with a Professional Discipline team to uphold standards. But in my case, those standards were completely absent.

I was treated not as a vulnerable client in need,
but as a problem to be discarded.
Not with professionalism.
Not with empathy.
Not even with basic care.

Hence the Legal Ombudsman investigation.

We needed urgent legal advice and help and contacted Irwin Mitchell. My mum has dementia and we had just lost my dad. They were able to help with assessments, POA and a Will and visited mum in order to help. They were very professional but personal and caring as well and I would highly recommend them. Rebecca Ratcliffe was incredibly helpful and patient throughout.

We had an opportunity to work with Irwin Mitchell for the processing of my father's Will and processing of his estate. They could not have been more professional, responsive, clear, and helpful. I would recommend them to anyone in need of their services.

We had a complicated issue to do with a family will. Abigail and her colleagues were very helpful in assisting us through the whole process, keeping us fully appraised and updated with progress every step of the way. We would have no hesitation in using Irwin Mitchell again. Many thanks!