Smith's Lawyers Avis 3

will sign everyone up with lots of false promises, then leave you waiting over 6 months before the 'company restructure, its not you its us we dont have capacity' email after you chase them endlessly. dont waste your time, they will waste yours if you do

We employed Smiths Lawyers to handle our compensation case October 2024. They were keen to take it on against a large trade tool company.
We progressed to mediation where they were still positive of a good outcome.
They advise they were no longer interested in the case 10 months later. It had definitely cost them, but also us. The crunch was in my opinion, when they discovered our wages were not significant enough, the case was not worth pursuing.
Pitty someone didnt do there home work in the first place and saved us all the effort and costs.

worst company I have ever had to deal with .

My son was admitted to hospital after a PL misdemeanour as a result of a negligent landlord.
When I approached smith lawyers they told me they could help me and on the 14th June 2024 I completed a client agreement confirming they could take on my case and commence litigation on behalf of myself and my son.

I was not asked to provide any evidence or detail other then what was taken down by my representing lawyer Katherine .

every 2 weeks I would make contact to see what works had actually be done. 4 weeks in still no world and an extended wait time .

Katherine finally called and we did speak and the conversation went from being able to help us with all of a sudden not being able to help as they initially had intended due to my sons age as it could take 10 years as he's a minor.... you think that you would know this before you take the case on or at least inform me . that was not done.
10 days later I sent an email and asked some very specific questions that was listed below.

copy and paste email:
Good Evening Katherine

Firstly thankyou so much for preparing the letter for QCAT, this will likely be a 5 month process before it heard.

I just wanted to touch base again re our client agreement. It was sent to me to sign on the 14/6/2024. I also signed the client agreement on the 24/6/2024. The agreement has myself as litigation for my son Kye and that I'm am acting on his behalf and taking the necessary steps to make a claim for compensation for the injuries and damages we sustained.

There have been 4 follow ups over this time by myself, requesting information on what the next step are moving forward. Our last conversation has left me confused because it differed to what we had discussed in our initial appointment where you gathered all of my details and the damages and injuries both Kye and myself sustained. The last conversation I recall you mentioned that this may not be possible as a result of Kyes age and you have seen some cases take 10 years. Is this correct?

So my questions are as follows

1: Are you still able to help me make a compensation claim against K Property realty insurance company as stated
2: Can you please outline what work you have performed thus far this case?
3: What are the steps or process after a client agreement is signed to inform the respondent's
4: How long does each step take in this litigation moving forward

Can you please respond in writing so I have a clear understanding and can refer back to your email with clarity.

Thank you .

their response 3 days later:

Dear Lisa,

Thank you for reaching out.

Katherine will get back to you this week, otherwise it will be Monday.

If you have any further queries in the meantime, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Kind regards,

So I waited past Monday and got nothing and on Wednesday I sent the following email

It is now Wednesday and I still haven't had a reply from Katherine with regards to my email sent through ion the 28th July 2024 at 8:34pm.
I have been more then patient and I am now requesting a reply outlining and detailing everything that I have addressed in my email sent to you on July 28th .
Please have this request sent through by 5pm close of business Thursday 8th of August 2024.

Their response came 48 hours later and this is what it said

YOUR PUBLIC LIABILITY CLAIM
We accepted instructions to act for your minor son, with you as litigation guardian, regarding
mould exposure over a period of time, as per the Client Agreement dated 16 June 2024 (“Client
Agreement”). It is apparent that you have lost confidence in Smith’s Lawyers. In the
circumstances we are now terminating the Client Agreement.
We are no longer acting on your behalf and will take no steps to protect Kye’s interests.

So, they deflected from answering any questions and made the assumption I had "lost confidence", with their firm and chose to terminate the agreement when I asked the direct questions about our litigation.

I strongly recommend against using smith lawyers my personal experience has been very underwhelming and a complete waste of time. I now have representation for a great firm that have been able to answer all my questions efficiently and directly and provide my son and i the support me need in our case.