Forsters LLP - London

Marion R.

AVOID! This is to do with the disputes team. Incredibly overpriced for extremely bad service. My bill was outrageous, but I assumed because they are supposed to be top solicitors. I found this was not the case, the solicitors on my case did nothing for me and have the opposition huge concessions. Note the oppositions solicitor was less reputable (local, outside London) solicitor with a much lower rate!!! I would have been better off without them. They are also extremely slow with responses which added to delays. Every time I complained and brought up the fact things were not going well, I was dismissed and given 3 pages of jargon waffle. To make matters worse, they PROMOTED the solicitor on my case who did a terrible job, including sending the opposition a DRAFT of a settlement agreement with my comments on it. I was told it was "no big deal" and "these things happen". They have no understanding how negotiation works and how key information is. Save yourself a lot of money and find a different firm.

Simeon A.

First class service on the acquisition of a substantial London Real estate asset. A hugely complex transaction with added difficulty of being a Receivership sale. Led by Katherine Ekers pre-eminent team of 12 professionals. Cannot recommend Forsters highly enough.

David O.

A big thanks to the professional and compassionate Aimee Dooley-Cox and Fiona Smith at Forsters LLP. I cannot imagine more excellent legal service at a time of stress and grief in my life.

Steven W.

So I was part of a scam.
This firm acted for a group of us and we were awarded 8 million pounds.
Out of that I received 8% of the amount I should have received.
So their fees and charges were 92%. It was a no win no fee case, but really they should be reported for malpractice.
I would never recommend or use them. They should be made to publicise why their charges were extortionate

Eleanor P.

As an estate agent, you never know who a client will instruct and it can be a worry. Happily, on this occasion our client instructed Forsters and Georgina Haddon, who was a delight to deal with throughout the sale, providing clear and efficient updates along the way.
It's been a pleasure to work with Forsters, and I would highly recommend them!

Shirley

I would not recommend this firm. I used them for my London property purchase which was a nightmare. The lawyers at early stage were fine, but they changed team at the completion stage and internally they don't seem to communicate with each other for the hand over.

Their AML process is ridiculous. What's worse, no one told me some critical procedures needed in order to complete the procedures untill very last minute. I couldn't obtain the documents and ended with me losing half of my deposit and all transaction costs for nothing.

Then Forsters sent me a large bill for 'their large amount of time spent'. I enquired the detailed split of the expenses, such as disbursements (over 500 pounds) and the Senior Associate Georgina Haddon refused to explain and told me they have the right to withhold my funds until I agree to pay for the amount they asked for. They charge me 600 pounds for a 2 page agreement they drafted.

There simply lacked customer respect and care. Anyone can tell me whether law firm can withhold customer's funds until I have to agree with their bill?

Andrew D.

Forsters acted for us over three years for the purchase of a new-build long-leasehold apartment in West London. Their service was exceptional! Very thorough report analysing the lease with prompt, knowledgeable and courteous advice when handling the conveyance. A special call out for Ezgi who always responded promptly to queries, even outside normal office hours. Great value. Highly recommended.

S L.

I engaged Forsters as my conveyancing solicitor for a property purchase in London in 2018, when I made my first deposit payment.

During the initial engagement, their team of solicitors/paralegals had been quite unresponsive and slow at responding to my emails but I generally managed to receive a response within a week (after complaining to my property agent who brokered the sale).

Fast forward to present-day when the property is approaching completion in Feb 2022. Despite multiple emails sent to the paralegal who had been handling my case since 2018, I hadn't receive any response. I had also cc-ed this paralegal's fellow solicitors in the email but no one bothered to reply to my request for an updated completion statement which is required for my mortgage application.

I then called up the office and spoke to Kirsten(?) who mentioned that the paralegal had left the firm.

I found the news to be distressing and unacceptable given the lack of proactive communication from Forsters re the paralegal's departure.

Forsters has failed in their duty of client care by not carrying out a proper client handover process. Furthermore, they have not bothered to inform me on any new point of contact from their office, following the departure of the paralegal who handled my case.

A few days ago, I wrote to the partner who had originally took on my case in 2018 - Chris M - to express my disappointment and frustration over the firm's incompetence and failed duty of client care, especially given the fact that I'm not physically based in the UK.

Still yet to hear back from Chris and team but I have filed a formal complaint to the law society.

WILL NOT recommend this firm to anyone in the future.

S Low