Need help finding a solicitor in the UK....

[bluemoonluck]

I live in the USA and have found myself in need of a solicitor (attorney) in the Sheffield area of the UK. I'm reaching out to my fellow HT'ers for help!!

In a nutshell, in Feb 2011 I paid stud fees to a breeder in the UK and she was to provide me with two breeding doses of frozen semen from her stud..... and she never did So after chasing her around for two years, in Feb 2013 I told her that I no longer wanted the semen - I wanted a refund, and I wanted it within 30 days. She responded that she would refund my money, and that's the last I've heard from her .

She's now ignoring my emails so I sent snail mail letter, which she is also ignoring. I don't have international calling on my phone so I can't call her. The upside to this is that all of our interactions have been via email so I have everything documented in writing.

And yes, I did my homework on this woman's reputation before I sent her the money and several people that I know/trust vouched for her. They're all that this has happened, because "it's so unlike her"

So I need a solicitor to write her a letter telling her to pay up. I've contacted a few online, but have gotten no response as of yet.

Feel free to PM me if you can help. Thanks!!

[BlackWillowFarm]

I can't help with finding an attorney but what about contacting the breed association she's connected with? Maybe they can help you by putting pressure on her to stand by her agreement with you. They may also have a recommendation for an attorney.

I'm guessing this is for dogs? Horses?

[bluemoonluck]

It's for dogs.

I just sent a plea for help to The Kennel Club (the UK's version of the AKC), but if they're anything like the AKC they won't touch a contract dispute with a 10-foot pole

I really don't want to throw good money after bad....the one solicitor's office that I emailed said on their website that there was no charge for them to write a letter, but if the debt was paid as a result of their letter there would be a fee of approx $100 USD. I can certainly justify spending $100 to collect $2,200!!

[Bearfootfarm]

Send an E mail to Scotland Yard
You may not need a lawyer at all

[bluemoonluck]

Originally Posted by Bearfootfarm

Send an E mail to Scotland Yard
You may not need a lawyer at all

Would they just press criminal charges or actually help me recover the money? I know here that civil and criminal issues are handled separately.

I don't want her charged with anything, really. I just want my $$ back!!

[Tiempo]

Don't contact New Scotland Yard, that is the London Metropolitan Police HQ, Sheffield is 170 miles away. If you contact the police, contact the Sheffield police but I'd be surprised if they helped..it might be worth a try though

I'd go with a solicitor's letter first, I have a phone plan where I only pay 6c a minute to the UK, let me know if you want me to call anyone for you.

[Bearfootfarm]

Originally Posted by bluemoonluck

Would they just press criminal charges or actually help me recover the money? I know here that civil and criminal issues are handled separately.

I don't want her charged with anything, really. I just want my $$ back!!

Internet fraud is a crime
A visit from the police is more effective than a letter from a lawyer

http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/

[Tiempo]

Originally Posted by Bearfootfarm

Internet fraud is a crime
A visit from the police is more effective than a letter from a lawyer

http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/

Right, and I said it might be worth a try. I still think a letter from a local solicitor first might be more effective, especially as the OP doesn't seem interested in pressing charges.

[Tiempo]

BML, I should sic my mother on them for you, she lives about 40 mins away from Sheffield and knowing her would have them quivering in their wellies..lol

[bluemoonluck]

I want to save criminal charges and reputation-bashing for absolute last resort status - so if she absolutely refuses to give me my refund after I've exhausted all other avenues, and I know there isn't a chance in Hades I'm getting my $$ back, then I'll go for that. Otherwise, I really just want my $ back, and once I have it I'm happy to drop the whole thing

Tiempo, I may end up having you make a call or two for me..thanks! I sent another email to the solicitor that I want to use, and hopefully this time they'll respond. And if all else fails, sending an angry Mom to with this woman might be a good option LOL!

I'm just super frustrated because this is a small breed and reputation reigns supreme...and I can't for the life of me figure out why this woman - who from all accounts has a good rep - is trying to screw me over. And I've dealt with international breeders before with no issues, even a different one from the UK who is really awesome.

It's a pretty big hunk of my $ that's tied up in this transaction, and now that I'm making other arrangements for my breedings I really need those funds available to me so I can finalize those deals. Seriously, the next person who runs their mouth at me about how much $ dog breeders supposedly make is going to end up missing a few teeth after I throw my accounting ledger at them LOL!

[Tiempo]

Just drop me a PM if you want me to make some calls.