Client Care Policy

Jason Nicholson Solicitors will provide all clients with an efficient standard of service accompanied by the highest professional standards and we will do our best to ensure everything proceeds as smoothly as possible. All clients will be informed about Jason Nicholson Legal Services Commission Quality Mark which has been established so that members of the public who need advice can be assured that they will receive a quality service. We continually monitor our performance and conduct regular reviews of our systems and procedures to refine and improve our standards of client care.

We recognise that while excellence in legal work is our fundamental function, this must be accompanied and supported by the highest standard of professional conduct and client care.

To that end, Jason Nicholson Solicitors will:

  • Agree with you in advance the levels of service you require, confirm your instructions in writing, detail the action(s) we will be taking and the likely timescale of those actions (instructions on behalf of a client from third parties will need to be authorised by the client).
  • Inform you of the name and status of the fee earner responsible for the conduct of your case and their supervisor.
  • Discuss and agree alternative methods of communication if required.
  • Give you the most accurate information possible about costs at every stage.
  • Give you information about any liability of Prosecution costs if found guilty and the effects of any orders for costs such as Recovery of Defence Costs Order (RDCO's) once they are likely.
  • Represent your interests (where there are issues about capacity or some other vulnerability an appropriate adult will be consulted).
  • Give you clear legal advice that you can understand.
  • Ensure that you understand what you are undertaking (including the likelihood of success or risk of loss) and the possible costs involved.
  • Assure maximum integrity and confidentiality.
  • Ensure that we have the resources and expertise to deal with your matter.
  • Inform you of the progress on your file and important dates to remember in relation to your matter.
  • Inform you about any limitations on our ability to act.
  • Provide a prompt response to all telephone calls, e-mails and correspondence.
  • inform you about whom to approach if you are dissatisfied with the service provided and our complaints handling procedure.

Quality check at conclusion of case
There is in place a procedure whereby files cannot be placed in archive until certain items have been satisfied according to our Case Management System e.g. satisfaction of undertakings or clearance of any balances.

Costs
Jason Nicholson Solicitors has a Legal Aid contract, therefore most clients will not have to pay for service if eligible for Legal Aid.

Clients not eligible for Legal Aid will be given costs information at the outset of the case.

Quality Audit
The firm operates a system of regular quality audit when files of every fee earner will be picked at random by Jason Nicholson to ensure that the file has been properly managed.

Complaints
We are committed to providing a high quality legal service to all our clients. If something goes wrong we need you to tell us about it. This will also help us to maintain and improve our standards as well as seeking to resolve your problems.

If you have a complaint please contact Jason Nicholson, our Quality Manager. You can contact him at the following address:

20 Shelford Street
Scunthorpe
North Lincolnshire
DN15 6NU

Tel: 0844 848 7370

Complaints Procedure
If a complaint arises, it will be referred to our Quality Manager, Jason Nicholson to record. Jason Nicholson will ensure that the following action is taken:

  1. We will send you a letter acknowledging receipt of your complaint within three days of receiving it, enclosing a copy or our complaints procedure.
  2. We will investigate your complaint. This will normally involve passing your complaint to our client care partner, Jason Nicholson, who will review your matter file and speak to the member of staff who acted for you.
  3. Jason Nicholson will then invite you to a meeting to discuss and hopefully resolve your complaint. He will do this within 14 days of sending you the acknowledgement letter.
  4. Within three days of that meeting, Jason Nicholson will write to you to confirm what took place and any solutions he has agreed with you.
  5. If you do not want a meeting or it is not possible, Jason Nicholson will send you a detailed written reply to your complaint, including his suggestions for resolving the matter within 21 days of sending you the acknowledgement letter.
  6. We will write to you within 14 days of receiving your request for a review confirming our final position on your complaint and explaining our reasons.
  7. If you are still not satisfied, you can then contact the Legal Ombudsman on 0300 555 0333 or email them at enquiries@legalombudsman.org.uk. You can also write to them at PO Box 6806, Wolverhampton WV1 9WJ about your complaint. Any complaint to the Legal Ombudsman must usually be made within six months of the date of our final decision on your complaint. For more information go to www.legalombudsman.org.uk.
If we have to change any of the timescales above, we will let you know and explain why.

The central record will be reviewed at least annually to review trends and the results recorded on the summary. All complaints and results of reviews will be discussed at the fee earner meetings.

Our complaints policy and procedure will be highlighted to all clients in the initial client care letter.

Jason Nicholson Solicitor will comply with the Solicitors Regulation Authority Outcomes Focused Regulations on client care and costs http://www.sra.org.uk/solicitors/code-of-conduct