I am a cash buyer who does not need a survey. I hired my solicitor in October. Unfortunately, due to her frequent delays—working from home several days a week while often not responding to phone calls or emails, taking Fridays off, and only available after picking up her children from school at 3 PM—we were unable to finalize before the stamp duty deadline on March 31, 2025.

We were unaware that she was part-time when we engaged her services. What options do I have for lodging a complaint—specifically, an independent complaint to a regulatory body?

If you find yourself dissatisfied with the service from your solicitor, there are a few avenues available to voice your concerns.

Initially, it is best to bring up your complaint directly with the solicitor managing your case. If your issues persist after these discussions, you can ask for a copy of the firm’s complaints procedure and submit a formal internal complaint.

According to the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) guidelines, the firm should strive to resolve any complaints within eight weeks of submission.

If you are still unsatisfied after following the firm’s internal complaints process, you may escalate the complaint to the Legal Ombudsman. This body deals with grievances regarding unsatisfactory service, which may include slow responses and billing conflicts. Complaints should be lodged within one year of the incident or from the time you became aware of the issue. You can reach the Legal Ombudsman at PO Box 6167, Slough, SL1 0EH, call 0300 555 0333, or send an email to [email protected].

For significant breaches of professional conduct, you have the option to report your solicitor to the SRA, especially in cases of unethical practices such as failing to act in your best interest. Before proceeding with a report, it’s advisable to review the SRA’s guidelines on their official website to understand what qualifies as a serious breach and the reporting process.

Lastly, if you suspect your solicitor has acted with professional negligence, you might consider filing a professional negligence claim. This type of claim requires you to demonstrate that your solicitor had a duty of care which they breached, leading to harm or financial loss for you. It is recommended to seek legal advice for claims of this nature.

Daniel Stern, partner, Slater Heelis

Is It Possible to Restore My Discolored Cotton Designer Bag?

I own a white Yohji Yamamoto cotton drill handbag with white leather trim, which is now 18 years old. I wish to use it again, but the cotton drill has yellowed over time. The care instructions prohibit washing and dry cleaning but suggest “specialist dry cleaning.” What steps can I take to restore it? Any assistance would be appreciated. Valerie, London

The reference to specialist cleaning indicates that due to the leather, the handbag should ideally be dry-cleaned like a leather item. However, the fabric element presents risks such as color bleeding from the leather. Given the age of the bag, there’s the possibility of the leather being dried out which could lead to cracking or fading during cleaning. Ideally, this item should not be cleaned due to various potential issues, though a specialized bag cleaner might accept the item but would require you to understand and accept the risks involved.

Peter Lush, customer care and retail director at a London-based eco-friendly dry cleaning service

Yellowing of cotton is a frequent concern for vintage products. There are several methods available for treating the cotton drill at home; however, care must be taken to protect the leather during the process. You can use duct tape to cover the leather sections—this is water-resistant but not completely waterproof, so taking a careful approach by treating each section individually is best, instead of submerging the bag. Cotton drill is quite durable, and the following methods could effectively address the yellowing:

• Oxygen or chlorine-based bleach solution: mix one part bleach with five parts water, then rinse with white vinegar to remove any residual bleach.
• Baking soda: one cup of baking soda per gallon of water can be effective.
• Distilled white vinegar: use on its own or diluted with water.
• Lemon juice: the citric acid can aid in whitening the cotton.
• Dish soap and hydrogen peroxide: combine one part hydrogen peroxide with five parts water.

I recommend testing a small, inconspicuous area with a cotton swab soaked in the solution of your choice. Avoid mixing different whitening agents during the same cleaning session to prevent toxic fumes. Always wear rubber gloves for safety.

As the bag has been stored for an extended period, it may require several attempts to fully eliminate the yellowing. Allow the bag to dry naturally after treatment.

Susie Nelson, fashion expert and owner of a London vintage store

Community Advice Section

How can I prevent the corners of my rugs from curling up on a wooden floor? Betty, Brighton

You can cut triangles out of a rubber mat and, using strong glue, attach them to the underside of the rug. Rosemary Morton Jack, Oxfordshire

Alternatively, double-sided carpet tape can be effective. Patricia Farquharson

Consider using Never Curl adhesive triangular patches that help keep large rugs in place. They are removable and reusable. Phil Proud, Leicestershire

For bathroom mats, you can cut triangles from old denim jeans and glue them under the corners with Copydex latex rubber glue. Keep them flat until dry, and these patches have proven to be long-lasting even after machine washing. Peter Cunnington, Lincolnshire

If you have access to a steam cleaner, try steaming the curled corners and then weighing them down for a few hours until they dry flat. J Jones

Inquiry for Next Issue

What is the best method to wash and dry a refillable glass olive oil spray bottle? Jacqueline, Halifax

Send your tips and questions to [email protected]. Advice provided without responsibility.

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