Gateley Reviews 8

Working at Gateley Manchester in 2025 was genuinely one of the most difficult experiences of my career. From the very beginning, I felt completely unsupported — the training was almost non‑existent, and I was left to struggle through tasks without any real guidance. What made it worse was the behaviour from management. I experienced bullying that left me feeling anxious, isolated, and dreading going into work each day. The environment felt cold, disorganised, and uncaring, and it took a real toll on my wellbeing. I wouldn’t want anyone else to go through what I did, and I can’t recommend this workplace based on my experience.

Based on my experience, I would not recommend this firm for residential property purchases.

I withdrew from a transaction two working days after the firm received the contract pack. I was then told that several members of the team had spent more than 10 hours on the matter within that short timeframe and was asked to pay 50% of the full fee.

I was not informed by the firm when the contract pack was received and only became aware of this via the seller’s agent (Settio). I was also not asked to confirm that I was happy for work to commence at that stage. I was later told that the bulk of the work had been completed over the weekend during which the contract pack was received. The contract pack was received on Thursday afternoon or Friday, and I withdrew from the transaction on Monday evening.

During that weekend or any weekend since instructing them, I did not receive any correspondence from the firm. I had also not indicated that the transaction was urgent or that work needed to be completed outside of standard business hours.

Most of the emails I received were from a paralegal. I was told that a solicitor had spent over six hours on the matter. I was concerned by this as this solicitor never contacted me once (not even to introduce themselves) nor were they copied into a single correspondence during the time I dealt with the firm. This lack of transparency around who carried out the work and how it was billed caused me concern.

Overall, I was concerned by the firm’s communication and the approach taken to billing after I withdrew.

Trying to obtain completion certificates for my property, originally bought new in 2017. Builders Keepmoat provide no support and only forward to their solicitor - Gateley who are of no help either! Avoid unless you are prepared to be stuck with the house forever.

Three years and four months to settle an estate, with 2 major beneficiaries, and one Executor.
Most of this time seemed like there was no work being carried out on the case. Numerous emails and telephone calls led to little or no change. A formal complaint was "managed" and led to a feeble apology. A brief improvement in service then faded away.
Administrative slackness, repeated change of staff dealing with the case, and poorly justified invoices are but some of the issues encountered.
If you are considering using this firm, look carefully at any quotation they give you, and compare with others. Reviews are sadly few and far between.

Horrendous. Gateley have directly cost me thousands of pounds. By not registering my self as the owner of my house with HM Land Registry, the one job I paid them to do, and assuring me it had been done properly, I am now incurring thousands of pounds of loss as I cannot remortgage my property. Can’t remember the last time I left a review, but given how bad Gateley have managed to screw me over, felt it was necessary.

If I could give zero I would.

This legal firm clearly receives developer benefits as they do not represent the client in any capacity.

You will then be rudely asked to settle a bill after 19 months post sale which you did not know about as they only just got round to 'finalise all disbursements'

AVOID

I have edited my review as Gateley seem to deny me being a customer. They have not contacted me. For anyone reading this - you will note that my review is verified by Trust Pilot as I sent all my customer details and proof of payment to them. Gateley's that was a real shame to see you not contact a customer to rectify their poor experience and then deny it publicly. Really really poor.

This company sits back on its hands and knees
Does nothing until the solicitor s from our firm do all the keg work

Then presents a pre schedule pro forms and does exactly nothing or assist in any way

Complete bunch of clowns who don’t really know how to run a firm

Pass the buck onto someone else

Won’t do the work

Call it litigation as an excuse not to answer any questions

Lack in correspondence

Jack of trust in this firm

DO NOT USE THEY

WASTE OF TIME EFFORT
WILL RUIN YOUR CASE AND CHANCES OF BANKRUPTCY

James, and his team, are the perfect mix of experience and tenacity, with exceptional market knowledge and a keen eye for detail. James is the lawyer you want on your side – his steady nerves, strong strategic approach and client expectation management are the best in the industry.