I have tried to make an appointment to have a Will made. The lady, an assistant who called me was so unhelpful and asked me totally irrelevant questions that had absolutely no relevance to her fixing an appointment with a solicitor to discuss making me a new Will. Further more she indicated a February appointment then jumped to a March date. Seemed to me that she was having a bad day and took it out in me. I would avoid this firm of solicitors.
Following a difficult situation at work, I was assisted by Sebastian Hale-Smith in Eastbourne, who was excellent. Friendly, practical advice and a good person to have 'on-side.' I hope I don't find myself in a similar position in future, but can highly recommend him if you need to turn to someone for something similar in the future.
After receiving terrible service for the last couple of years,I registered a complaint which I still haven't received an answer to.
Avoid this shower at all costs! Clown outfits like these are never ever cheap and the service they offer is not fit for purpose. I made a complaint against Heather Smith over her treatment of my parents to her boss and yes, he responded to say thanks for getting in touch and we have not heard from him (Mr Benson) since! Typical lawyers sticking up for each other and not dealing with anything when its not in their interest! I would not give this lot cancer if I had it, much less any business and would not trust them to open a packet of crisps if I did, never mind dealing with legal matters in a proper manner! Deal with this lot at your peril! You have been warned! The Taliban would most likely give you a better service! I would also suggest if you do have any dealings with them and they don’t deal with your complaint when they make a pigs ear of it, do as I am and complain to the legal ombudsman!
When we sold a property using Andrew Pluck in January it was a nightmare, we were constantly chasing him, even on the day of completion he realised he'd forgotten to get our bank details and that we needed to take id in to be able to send the money to us!! We were then unfortunate enough to deal with Andrew Pluck again as he was representing the other party when we were buying a business - our solicitor did most of the work because Andrew either couldn't be contacted or just didn't respond and really wasn't worried about deadlines, everything was done in his own time to the point that our solicitor had to do more work to cover what Andrew wasn't bothering to do (including Andrew asking for papers at the last minute that he had been given months before) and it cost us an additional £2k. When we asked Andrew about this he was rude and said to send in a complaint which he would respond to - that was in April - Still no reply but we're really not surprised. We've waited this long to review Hart Reade because we didn't really want to give the company themselves a bad review, but Andrew is a partner there but he really is doing the company no favours at all.
Excellent help and advice on the recent sale of our Property!! Connor Earl and Vicki Selden were a Tower of strength throughout!! Roy & Jane Harrison
Would highly recommend Victoria at Hart and Read Hailsham, for her extremely efficient and professional approach to her job.
Hart Reade Polegate were appalling, constantly going on annual leave without notice and the covering solicitor would then be 'unavailable for communication' for the solicitor which had gone on holiday. Specifically Andrew Pluck's unfortunate, rude manner in which he conveys communication is the worst part of the service with Hart Reade Polegate. In the end the head partner had to intervene to get the conveyancing sorted out. Over 50 years of family loyalty counted for nothing, this firm clearly do not care about their clients and covered for each other in dispute.
Hart Reade claim to offer a sympathetic and thoughtful probate service. I found their service did not meet these criteria. In my experience their service was entirely lacking in the human touch at a time when some basic empathy would have been welcome. I would absolutely avoid using Hart Reade in the future.
I was looking for a solicitor but am very suspicious of one with no reviews. I will look for one with good reviews.
Ms Deborah Cooney
Feb 27,2025Connor Earl was recommended to me by son & daughter, who also used him for purchase their property. I used Connor for both purchase and sale of my property. I was regularly kept upto date on progress, and any enquiries were answered quickly. The whole process was made easy, by both Connor & Vicki.