Independent or not?

My situation is that i paid a deposit (around £20k) for an off-plan property in 2005, and my lawyers are those recommended by the agent.  Completion dates were put back several times.  As per the terms of the contract I opted to withdraw (original completion date NOv 2006; opted to withdraw Aug 2007). According to the lawyers the developer agreed to release me from the contract; the lawyers drew up a document for them to sign, and apparently heard nothing more.  After weeks/months of chasing my lawyers i was advised that my file should be sent to litigation, which in essence i agreed to (during discussion by phone) and it was sent, but then i was advised of litigation fees etc which in my ignorance i did not foresee and was not advised of in the first instance. In fact i have received very little clarification of anything in writing from them, certainly not copies of correspondence between them and the developer.  I have outlined my 'concerns'  as to the service I have received, and raised some pertinent questions to my lawers in an email, which they appear to be avoiding replying to.  Unfortunately the office i used to speak with can no longer deal with my case because my file is with litigation.  I have no relationship with the litigation department and am finding them very difficult.

In the intermin period I recd information from another source that the developer has completed the property.  I have been informed by my lawyers that I need to act asap re instructing litigation, however they still fail to address my 'concerns'.  How can one be sure the lawyer is acting independently?