Complaint against Rippon, Patel & French upheld by Legal Ombudsman
Despite their name which gives the impression of a three partner firm this is in reality a one-man-band. The main partner is Ashok Patel supported by his daughter Emma and an office administrator Sean McKay. The three of them operate from a couple of rather shabby ground floor rooms near Harley Street.My experience with Ashok Patel over several years is mixed. I no longer use his firm and was obliged to make an official complaint against him to the Legal Ombudsman as well as instructing another firm of solicitors to take action against him. What started positively, has eventually descended into a bitter dispute over money.I instructed Patel to represent me in a property dispute which, after more than a year, was finally settled in my favour. I achieved a substantial amount in compensation, plus my legal costs. At this point I was very pleased that Patel had managed to secure a satisfactory settlement. Unfortunately the money was paid by the losers to Patel’s firm who immediately submitted a bill for approximately DOUBLE the legal costs he had originally quoted, plus VAT. He had effectively kept most of the money I had been awarded plus almost £10,000 I had paid in advance on account of legal costs.Obviously, I challenged Patel on the amount of his bill. He suggested that if I wished to question his costs I should instruct a Costs Lawyer, which I did at a further substantial cost. This got me absolutely nowhere as Patel refused to supply copies of necessary documents to my lawyer and eventually refused to cooperate completely. This is when I was advised to make an official complaint about Patel to the Legal Ombudsman. My complaint was upheld and Patel was judged by the Ombudsman to have provided "unsatisfactory service". He was ordered to pay me compensation and did eventually return the fees I had paid in advance.Following my complaint to the Ombudsman Patel retaliated by attempting to bring an action against me in the High Court using some highly questionable tactics. Defendants are legally entitled to at least 28 days’ notice. However, assuming I was abroad, Patel deliberately delayed service so that I only had four days to defend the case. Fortunately this resulted in Patel being ignominiously obliged to withdraw the case and pay all my costs. I am advised that his dubious actions were an Abuse of Process which could eventually result in further legal proceedings being taken against him as well as possible disciplinary action by his professional body.The matter against Patel for the return of my money from the settlement in the property dispute is ongoing, as is the matter of an Abuse of Process. Any clients considering instructing Rippon, Patel & French, having read this review, can decide for themselves whether Patel can be trusted.
Ron Mowlam
Complaint against Rippon, Patel & French upheld by Legal Ombudsman.
Despite their name which gives the impression of a three partner firm this is in reality a one-man-band. The main partner is Ashok Patel supported by his daughter Emma and an office administrator Sean McKay. The three of them operate from a couple of rather shabby ground floor rooms near Harley Street.My experience with Ashok Patel over several years is mixed. I no longer use his firm and was obliged to make an official complaint against him to the Legal Ombudsman as well as instructing another firm of solicitors to take action against him. What started positively, has eventually descended into a bitter dispute over money.I instructed Patel to represent me in a property dispute which, after more than a year, was finally settled in my favour. I achieved a substantial amount in compensation, plus my legal costs. At this point I was very pleased that Patel had managed to secure a satisfactory settlement. Unfortunately the money was paid by the losers to Patel’s firm who immediately submitted a bill for approximately DOUBLE the legal costs he had originally quoted, plus VAT. He had effectively kept most of the money I had been awarded plus almost £10,000 I had paid in advance on account of legal costs.Obviously, I challenged Patel on the amount of his bill. He suggested that if I wished to question his costs I should instruct a Costs Lawyer, which I did at a further substantial cost. This got me absolutely nowhere as Patel refused to supply copies of necessary documents to my lawyer and eventually refused to cooperate completely. This is when I was advised to make an official complaint about Patel to the Legal Ombudsman. My complaint was upheld and Patel was judged by the Ombudsman to have provided "unsatisfactory service". He was ordered to pay me compensation and did eventually return the fees I had paid in advance.Following my complaint to the Ombudsman Patel retaliated by attempting to bring an action against me in the High Court using some highly questionable tactics. Defendants are legally entitled to at least 28 days’ notice. However, assuming I was abroad, Patel deliberately delayed service so that I only had four days to defend the case. Fortunately this resulted in Patel being ignominiously obliged to withdraw the case and pay all my costs. I am advised that his dubious actions were an Abuse of Process which could eventually result in further legal proceedings being taken against him as well as possible disciplinary action by his professional body.The matter against Patel for the return of my money from the settlement in the property dispute is ongoing, as is the matter of an Abuse of Process. Any clients considering instructing Rippon, Patel & French, having read this review, can decide for themselves whether Patel can be trusted.
Ron Mowlam
