Quality Standards

“In general, the standards can only be described as immaculate”

“…… highly commended for the exceptionally high standards of file management which was evidenced across all fee earners.”
“…… the standards are very clearly amongst the highest seen”.
Source: Lexcel Independent Assessment Report

“It was apparent that you maintain excellent client relations and that you are committed to providing a quality service. It was evident that staff take pride in the firm and that you all take client care and client satisfaction very seriously.”
Source: Law Society Monitoring Visit

“… a highly respected practice …”
“first class legal expertise”
“does not compromise on standards”
“passionate about access to justice”
Source: The Legal 500

“It is in a league of its own in terms of client care”
“highly influential flagship firm”
“ a model for other law firms”
“superlative service”
“unparalleled standards …… unmatched service standards”
“Underwoods’ glowing reputation is fully deserved”
“It is one of the very best firms”
Source: Chambers Guide to the Legal Profession 2009
(where we have appeared for 17 consecutive years)

(Then there is the choice from 84 different types of baguettes, 12 types of apple juice and 9 kinds of coffee.)

So that is what the press and the regulators think. What do our clients think? Click here to see the results of our surveys and client comments.

Audits

Every lawyer is audited every month and the results are published under Audits. Click here to see these audits.

Core Promises

• We will see you within 5 minutes of your appointment time or your arrival in the office,     whichever is later.
• We will write to you each calendar month to tell you how your case is progressing.
• If you telephone us before 4.00pm we will return your call within 4 hours.
• We will answer letters received from you the same day. Any email received from you by     4.00pm will be answered the same day.

We will pay you £50 each time we do not keep any of these four core promises.

A Unique Appeal Procedure

If we are working for you in return for a fixed fee or under a contingency fee agreement then our fee is not directly related to the amount of work we do.

This creates a risk that a lawyer will under-settle the claim so as to avoid too much work and to get the fixed fee or contingency fee for less work than the matter needs.

We have strict rules within Underwoods Solicitors to avoid this happening and we will never settle a matter without your authority.

However, if you are unhappy about the terms of settlement in a case dealt with by payment of a fixed fee or a contingency fee then you may use our appeal procedure. This enables you to appeal to Iain Goldrein QC and we will pay his fees and abide by his decision. Thus if he decides that we under settled by £1,000 we will pay you that sum.

We trust that this will never happen but we regard it as important to have such a procedure in place. For more information about our appeal procedure please contact Robert Males at this office.

This is additional to and separate from all other rights of redress you may have and does not affect them.

If you would like details on how Underwoods can assist you, please contact us.