08 Jul 2009 12:00 AM:
Hi All,
I am a regular user of the forum and thoought it might be a good idea to share experiences (good and bad) about the lawyers we have used. This way people will have a greater chance of selecting one that will have their interests in mind rather than that of the developers.
Here's my story :
‘Without Prejudice’
I just want to share with you all my experiences I had using Bersal Legal Services, based in Garrucha, Almeria as I would not want anybody else to go through what we did with this or any other company. Of course this is just my experience of this company and they had previously done a good job assisting me in completion on another property but please be sure before giving your instructions to this or any other company that you have made the right decision
- We paid our 3000 Euro reservation fee in early 2006
- We then paid in region of £37k via Bersal shortly after as per the contract requirement.
- We did get a BG eventually after constantly chasing both Bersal and the builder…….of a sort, receiving a PDF copy via email from the builder
- I then got an email from Bersal stating that they would collect the original on my behalf as they were in Spain
- All sorted……………….or so we thought. She never collected it and it disappeared into the BIG HOLE
- We therefore only had the PDF copy and the 3000 Euro reservation fee was not added to the amount guaranteed, again the responsibility of a lawyer
- Even more shocking, the above lawyer only informed me of the fact that they never had my original BG just 24 hours before it was due to expire stating in an email to me……….that ‘as we only had a PDF copy and the fact that it expired the next day it was in fact no use. (Yes they couldn’t even be bothered to speak to me)
- There advise was to accept an extension to the BG with a signed waiver confirming I would not pull out of the purchase
- As the build was already 2 years late, I was obviously not prepared to do this.
- At this stage she stopped returning my calls and even accused me of pestering her. Sorry, perhaps I should have just accepted her negligence!!!
- I then decided to instruct a new lawyer at considerable expense to myself to sort out the mess caused by my first lawyer why I’d already paid 1500 Euros to do the conveyancing / represent me through any problems
- No one would then admit to having my original BG although my new, decent lawyer claimed that the PDF copy of the BG was as good as an original despite Bersal claiming it was not worth the paper it was on. Another mistruth from Bersal
- Bank and builder refused to return our calls
- Bank refused to comply with notarial demand initially…….. but following pressure from my new lawyer – they did eventually comply – despite using every delaying tactic in the book
- My new lawyer secured a refund using the PDF copy of the BG last month and is now looking at the possibility of suing for my 3000 Euro reservation fee, legal interest and persuing Bersal for what they have refused to refund me for doing half a job at best
Everyone out there should think twice before using this law firm or any other law firm recommended by an agent before doing your own research.
I am one of lucky ones!!!...............Don’t let the crooks win!
Thread:
Spanish Lawyers - Make sure you do your reasearch
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