County Court Judgement (CCJ) Awarded Against Christine Billany of Hexham

Today I have been awarded a County Court Judgement (CCJ) for £959.97 against Christine Billany of Hexham (who is a former Liberal Democrat candidate for the Tynedale council). Now all I have to do is collect the money!!!!!

Apparently Christine Billany of Ash Solicitors, Hexham Failed to Takeout Mandatory Professional Indemnity Insurance

I have today received a letter from the Solicitors Regulation Authority stating that it appears that Christine Billany (trading as Ash Solicitors, Hexham) "failed to effect a policy of qualifying insurance for the indemnity year 2009/10".

If true then this is a breach of the code of conduct to which all solicitors are required to adhere.

Christine Billany Under Investigation by the Solicitors Regulation Authority

As Ms Billany has chosen not to pay the compensation that I was awarded by the Legal Complaints Service they have written to me to say that they have referred the matter to the Solicitors Regulation Authority to prepare disciplinary proceedings against her (case RDC/2940-2010).

The SRA advise me that this is a second referral regarding Mrs Billany by the LCS to the SRA, the original being for her failure to respond to their correspondence regarding my complaint.

LCS Upholds Complaint Against Ash Solicitors, Hexham

The Legal Complaints Service has upheld my complaint against Christine Billany of Ash Solicitors on no less than 9 separate counts of failing to supply adequate service.

As a consequence I have been awarded compensation of £600 and a refund of charges of £235.

However the catch is that it is left up to me to obtain this money from Ms Billany.

The Bounced Cheque

Christine Billany Ignores The Legal Complaints Service's Letter

The Legal Complaints Service sent the letter below to Christine Billany of Ash Solicitors, Hexam on 25th November 2009. This provides a clear and concise outline of the 9 separate complaints that I have against her, including the "missing" £1,850 in Stamp Duty that I paid to her but that cannot now be traced and also the "missing" £250 of my own funds that she has disappeared with.

Although this gave her an easy way to challenge these complaints, and to rectify any administrative errors that may have taken place, I have today been informed by the LCS that their letter has gone unanswered. This behaviour appears to be her usual practice - both of the recorded Delivery Letters that I have sent her so far have also gone unanswered!