Gilbert Stephens Reviews 

Have made enquries recently about my late mums trust which she set up for myself and my son and daughter 11 years ago . I am a trustee and a beneficiary , and i wanted to know who the other trustees are ,. I asked Nik Barnes who is head of the trust department and he seemed not to know much about the trust and what it says . He ticked me off in an E- mail for making another enquiry . I have also found out the the trust had not been lodged at HMRC , which means there could be a penalty and there may be tax to pay as the 10 year anniversary has now passed . I have complained to the firm and have told SRA. The consultant solicitor said Nik Barnes is off sick . Now he is back part time and the consultant solicitor is away so will not see him to ask a few questions . Gilbert Stephens used to be a good firm .. not any more though

This firm acted as the executors in dealing with the estate of a friend, unfortunately, the experience has been extremely disappointing. The estate consisted of one property and some bank accounts, yet after more than 2½ years, it is still not fully resolved. Communication has been very poor throughout, and we have repeatedly had to chase for updates and answers. The sale of the property was also handled very badly. The initial valuation arranged by the firm was significantly overestimated, which resulted in the property failing to sell and an earlier offer being rejected. The property was eventually sold for considerably less than the original valuation (and the earlier offer). The delays and the handling of the property sale have also had a financial impact on the estate. The longer the estate has remained unresolved, the more it has cost the estate. What has been particularly frustrating is the lack of communication and their apparent unwillingness to take any responsibility when things have gone wrong. As executors, we expected them to act efficiently and in the best interests of the estate. Overall, a very disappointing experience. Therefore based on our experience, I would 100% avoid using this firm for probate.

Avoid Gilbert Stephens Exeter and Nikolas Barnes – Completely unprofessional

We had a nightmare experience trying to tie up a trust account and sell a 1-bed leasehold flat. No work was ever carried out unless we constantly chased them. We felt we had to completely micromanage Nikolas Barnes just to get anything done.
He was forever off on holiday, training days, or offering various other excuses. Worse still, his emails were consistently riddled with basic spelling mistakes, showing an absolute lack of care.
Because of this firm's total lack of urgency combined with the horrendous management company assigned to the flats (FirstPort), we lost two sales. We finally finalised a deal with a third buyer at a significant financial loss. The entire process was exhausting and deeply unprofessional. Save yourself the headache, run a mile rather than waste a single second considering them.

STAY WELL CLEAR.

We have consistently been impressed with services provided by Gilbert Stephens in Sidmouth and Honiton. Over the past 8 years, we've used them for conveyancing, licensing/copyright and Wills and have always been met with the same high levels of professionalism, competence, kindness and empathy. Christine is the welcoming, ever-efficient and friendly face of the team in Sidmouth, who goes over and above the call of duty to ensure that clients needs are addressed, while Tracie Bowden recently managed to smooth the wrinkles out of a complex and challenging piece of conveyancing, resulting in us now living in our dream home. Thank you Gilbert Stephens for providing us with a reliably high standard of work.

Having used Gilbert Stephens for various legal matters previously I was happy to use them again when I had to move house. My husband had died the previous year so this was my first time dealing with these matters on my own and I was a bit anxious. I needn’t have worried Debbi Egan dealt with everything for me, kept informed, and made sure that everything went smoothly and the exchange and completion happened with out any problems. I am more than happy to recommend them.

I had a redundancy contract that required me to seek legal advice before accepting. This advice was provided by Sean Middleton, who explained the terms of the contract in detailed, yet simple and understandable language. This advice has potentially saved me thousands of pounds, for which I am extremely grateful. I would recommend their services services of Gilbert Stephens to anyone, and wouldn’t hesitate in using their services again. Their fees were very competitive and worth every penny. Big thank you to Sean and Cheryl.

I asked Rebecca Cox to act for me on a purchase of land at auction in April 2024. As soon as the transfer money and her fees were paid I heard nothing more and received no replies to multiple emails asking what was happening. The Land Registry were not informed about my purchase until September. I am still chasing their complaints department more than a year later to try and find out what is happening.

I cannot thank the conveyancing team enough for all their help. Debbi & Xanthe came to the rescue when it transpired our lender wasn't on panel for our previous firm. The transition was incredibly easy and smooth, and Debbi in particular was super quick turning everything around. Fantastic communication & customer service, worth every penny. Thank you!

Over the past 30 years we have bought and sold about 9 properties, residential and commercial. However, It is almost a year ago now (May 2024) since we contacted this firm for the first time about the sale of a house we owned without a mortgage. It was just a sale, no chain, and the tenants had left. We sold the house subject to contract quite quickly. From the start there was a lack of communication from the solicitor. We constantly had to chase her to find out what was happening; never able to speak with her, having to leave messages and getting no reply. Eventually we may get an email from her or her assistant. It was so frustrating. Then in December 2024 just as we were about to exchange contracts and complete after all that time the purchasers withdrew! We sold it again very quickly at the beginning of January 2025 and we completed the sale last week, 28th March. This experience was largely better due to most of the paperwork already having been done for the previous sale. We would not recommend the solicitor partner we dealt with, i.e. SH, but maybe other members of the firm are better but we won't be instructing them!

I complained that one of their partners had created a false story for their client and encouraged them to create false evidence, as they thought it would be a quick win. They hadn't counted on my having first hand experience of the truth of the matter and it went to the High Court but the lady in question had a relative who was a judge, best friend of the trial judge it turned out later. I have now years later proved that I was right despite losing the case but the legal profession seems to regulate itself and is not interested in corrupt lawyers. They are, literally, a law unto themselves! Happy to share all the details with anyone that wants to know more. I reported them to STEP recently but they told me at the end of January 2025 that they don't want to investigate their member, the said partner; too embarrassing I suppose.

First off I have to say I have never used this firm of solicitors so I have nothing to comment on regards them working or representing me. I am looking for someone legal to do some conveyancing regarding a land sale but feel disappointed with this company after reading so many bad reviews on this forum. They seemed very diligent and efficient when I spoke to them at the Chagford show and, with respect to them, they might perform that way but after reading the bad reviews I am pensive about using their services. Basically why have they not replied to the poor reviews on Trust Pilot and let people know their side of the complainant's criticism??

Seems the Crediton branch is closed to new customers. Winding down maybe?

What an unbelievably incompetent company, not sure if it is the staff or the management but don’t touch them with a barge pole, how are they allowed to get away either total incompetence.

Terrible experience.

Huge impact on my emotional and mental wellbeing.

Left financially crippled by having to wait for over 2 years for reimbursement of medical expenses

Accident claim that has gone on for over 6 years with numerous gaps of 6-8 months of no progress

Lost count of the apologies recieved that it is now embarrassing.

Own deadlines broken time and time again completely lost faith in this firm.

Complaint lodged with ombudsman

Took 7 months to complete a simple sale of our house to our son (no chain or mortgage involved).Sent other peoples confidential documents in with ours! And when I arranged with them to sign a form we travelled all the way there to be told the solicitors had no capacity to sign today and had no problem sending us away at all. What a waste of time.Very unprofessional and upsetting to be treated like this. We would never use them again or recommend them to a friend.

absolutely shocking!!!
poor communication
shambolic management
avoid at all costs

Good afternoon Gilbert Stephens Solicitors,

Just following up again on my enquiry to get a quotation which I made 245 days ago!

I used you previously to help in the transaction to buy my office but am currently very disappointed in still no quote or information on my enquiry. I sent a Location Plan initially but still no response after multiple emails, follow ups resending the location plan as Emma didn't read the previous emails. Alistair although copied in also hasn't chased this for me.

Could we try again. Is there a different Team / member of staff that could deal with this please hopefully today?

Many thanks in advance.

Kind regards,

Paul

Avoid. Per previous trustpilot and google reviews... Terrible service, calls and emails from all parties to various individuals in the firm ignored for days/ weeks on end/ until chased. Constant out of office responses, non existent complaints process. This matter is now with the legal ombudsmen. Giving lawyers a very bad name sadly

Corruption and a Conflict of interests would be an understatement.

Horrific solicitors firm. Law firm Partner/Owner misuses his position as a housing solicitor to deny vulnerable residents the safety that they deserve. Via the housing sector.

This firm should be closed down by the SRA.

Conflict of interests would be an understatement.

Great service again from Antonia, Paul & Louise. Great communication & always on hand to help with any queries. 10/10-definitely recommend!