Online Legal Support: Safe or Scam?

Have you been in contact with a Digital Legal Service? Learn more about the CMA Watchdog investigation that has been launched against them.

Online legal services are becoming increasingly popular as more and more couples file for divorce after the Covid-19 lockdown. Making promises of ‘quickie’ divorces, will drafting and probate services, these firms have been seen as a more convenient, cheaper alternative to consulting a lawyer. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has received numerous reports about many of these digital firms, with complaints of misleading costs, clients being sold unnecessary services, and in some cases, coercion.

These essential legal services are often needed at vulnerable times in people’s lives when they are already facing instability. Unregulated legal services exploit these insecurities, attracting their customers with small initial fees and promises of simplicity, only to surprise clients with unforeseen charges and problems. These companies have also been accused of having submitted incorrect, incomplete, or late documentation further complicating already sensitive issues.

Additionally, it is possible to manage many of these legal matters without the assistance of a lawyer, such as drafting wills. Many have been persuaded to seek unnecessary and often questionable legal advice from unlicenced and underqualified digital firms by misleading claims that these services require legal aid to be valid.

During a discussion of the investigation, CMA managing director Sarah Cardell stressed “It’s so important that we investigate so that people can select the right legal service for them – for divorce or probate or will writing – with confidence. It’s essential that firms get the basics right, including complying with general consumer law which applies to all traders. Customers must get a fair deal.”

We at Baron Grey are committed to providing a high standard of qualified and trusted legal support with clear costs, processes, and advice. If you need support with your divorce, drafting a will or probate services, please call us today on 020 8891 4044 for a free no obligation consultation.

If you, or a loved one, has been in touch with one of these online firms, please contact the CMA Watchdog before 4th September 2023 so they can investigate and, if they are found to have breached consumer law, can take necessary action against them.

Read more about the investigation here.

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David Thorley

SOLICITOR

David works on civil litigation with a particular interest in disputes arising from wills, probate and trusts. Beyond this, he has experience with claims in a range of fields including: employment; property/landlord and tenant; company law/insolvency; construction; and debt recovery.

David qualified as a solicitor in 2022 having previously worked in academia and journalism. This background has given him a clear-sighted perspective on the cases he handles, a ready appreciation of the complex issues at stake, and a pragmatic approach to advising clients.

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Chris Wright

CONSULTANT

Chris initially qualified and practiced at the Bar for several years before going into industry with two major UK construction and engineering companies. He left this position to become a senior partner at a law firm where he handled a range of domestic and international construction and engineering law matters. He was an Adjudicator on the TeCSA panel, and acted as a reviewer for the FIDIC White Book Conditions. He has contributed to a text book on BIM and Quantity Surveying. 

Chris remains a member of the Society of Construction Law where he brings his experience as a consultant on construction law matters. He is also a practising Mediator and Arbitrator, being both an FCIArb and an Associate of the Civil Mediation Council.

Peter Arnstein

CONSULTANT SOLICITOR

Peter qualified as a solicitor following his training with a firm on Richmond Green and has since worked with firms on both sides of the river. Initially specialising in criminal law and dispute resolution, he later brought the forensic skills he had acquired to residential and commercial conveyancing, Wills and Probate. His approach in acting for clients has always been to look for problems and offer solutions.  

Peter is delighted to have now joined Baron Grey where he continues to look after clients old and new, seeking to provide an approachable and professional service to all.

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Contact Us

Feel free to get in touch with us via phone or email, or complete the form and one of our solicitors will be delighted to call you back.

  • 020 8891 4044
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  • 020 8891 2058
  • info@barongrey.co.uk

James Atkins

Associate Solicitor

James is a private client solicitor specialising in wills, trusts, powers of attorney and estate administration. He graduated from the University of Glasgow with a degree in English Literature in 2013 and went on to complete his law conversion course at BPP University. 

James trained at Baron Grey and after a sabbatical in Russia has recently re-joined the firm. James has a very friendly and approachable manner and is an asset to Baron Grey.

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Lara Symons

Solicitor

Lara Symons qualified as a solicitor in 1997 and has specialised in all aspects of Immigration Law since then. Lara was formally the head of the Immigration Appeals Team at White Ryland Solicitors in Shepherds Bush, before moving to Spain for four years with her family.

Lara joined Baron Grey in 2013 and now works for the firm dealing with a wide range of immigration and probate matters.

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Minnie Waite

Conveyancer

Minnie Waite joined Baron Grey in 2017 as a conveyancer having worked in the City for many years.

She has over 20 years’ experience in dealing with all aspects of conveyancing transactions and has studied the License Conveyancing course. Minnie specialises in freehold/leasehold, enfranchisement, has some commercial experience and advises on mortgages.

She is extremely approachable and friendly and a great addition to the Baron Grey team.

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Ben Hall

Solicitor Advocate

Ben Hall is an experienced solicitor who re-joined Baron Grey solicitors in early 2018, having originally trained under Vincent in 2006.

Ben specialises in criminal defence work and regularly represents clients from the investigatory stage all the way through to the Crown Court and Court of Appeal, where he has had notable success.

Ben has expanded his practice into civil litigation with a particular emphasis on commercial and probate disputes.

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Emma Faulkner

Solicitor

After being awarded a 2:1 degree in Law from the University of Reading, Emma joined Baron Grey in 2012. Since then, she has successfully completed the Legal Practice Course part-time obtaining a Distinction, and qualifying as a solicitor in February 2016.

Emma assists the litigation team and specialises in Family Law, including divorce and financial proceedings. Emma also deals with the niche area of Private Client Law concerning Lasting Powers of Attorney. She follows the footsteps of her grandfather who worked for Baron Grey as a senior legal assistant.

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Vincent Hambleton-Grey

Principal

After graduating in Law in London, Vincent joined the firm in 1990 as a newly qualified solicitor. He specialises in litigation and company commercial work as well as employment and matrimonial matters. 

He is passionate about representing those who do not always have a fair voice in the community and his clients vary from local people to many small businesses in the area. Whenever possible, Vincent’s aim is always to meet and discuss matters with all new clients personally first. 

Born in Swansea, South Wales, he moved to London as an undergraduate and has lived in Twickenham since 1994. He is married with two daughters. 

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