Question: Are staff at Fidler & Pepper Lawyers still working?
Answer: We are closely monitoring Government advice and due to this our offices are closed to the public and the majority of our staff are now working from home. Please be patient whilst our staff are working hard to keep your cases moving. As staff may be working flexible hours, please contact your case handler firstly by email or on their direct telephone number and they will respond as quickly as they can.
Question: What if my case handler is on furlough leave?
Answer: There are currently no Private Client staff on furlough leave. But in any event if you’re unsure, please do not worry. Your case will have been passed to a member of the team still working from home who will contact you if they become responsible for your case. If you are unsure how to contact anyone in your team, please email probate@fidler.co.uk and a member of the team will come back to you.
Question: What type of work are you carrying on with?
Answer: We are still taking on new cases across all of our services and we are running our team as ‘business as usual’ with a few tweaks to accommodate staff working from home. We can help with Wills, Powers of Attorney, Trusts, Care Fees, Probate and anything else our team would normal handle for you in this department. Our team are fully functioning at home so they can speak to clients (new and existing) from home by phone, video call or by email.
Question: Can I arrange a new appointment?
Answer: Yes, we can help with new legal cases. Just email our team at probate@fidler.co.uk and one of our team will get back to you to arrange a phone or video call with you. Talking to us by phone or email means that we can start the legal help that you need. We are also able to help you to complete and sign any important documentation in the safety of your own home in several different ways, so that you have peace of mind that everything has been done correctly.
Question: I have a case with you, what’s happening with that?
Answer: We’ll be in touch with you as your case progresses, but if you have any questions you should email your case handler directly. Currently all of our appointments will be by telephone, or via a video link with only emergency appointments being assessed differently dependent on individual circumstances and closely following Public Health guidelines and advice. This means that wherever possible you can still access important legal advice from the comfort and safety of your own home. We are also able to help you to complete and sign any important documentation in the safety of your own home in several different ways, so that you have peace of mind that everything has been done correctly.
Question: I have an appointment booked. Can I keep this appointment?
Answer: Yes, our staff are happy to have this appointment with you by phone or video call. They will be in contact with you to confirm the best way to have this appointment or they will rearrange this to a time that suits you.
Question: I need help urgently, how can I contact you?
Answer: Please email is on probate@fidler.co.uk and we will contact you as quickly as we can.
Question: How will I be able to sign documents to make sure that my case keeps moving?
We are doing everything we can to work strictly within the Government guidelines, including the social distancing guidelines. Protecting both our clients and our staff is our priority during this difficult time. However, we can still help you move things forward and we are committed to helping you do that.
For example, you might be able to sign a document for a member of our team and they can ask you sign from a safe distance (behind a door, through a window, outside) following social distancing rules.
Question: How can I make sure my documents are witnessed?
Answer: We are doing everything we can to work strictly within the Government guidelines, including the social distancing guidelines. Protecting both our clients and our staff is our priority during this difficult time. However, we can still help you move things forward.
For example, you might be able to sign a document, while a friend or neighbour watches you sign from a safe distance and then you could leave the document step back to a safe distance yourself whilst they sign it as your witness.
Question: Will there be delays to getting my affairs in order?
Answer: We will try our hardest to keep your case moving but there may be delays because of staff absences, due to the impact of social isolation, through changes in Government advice or because other parties (e.g courts) may also be experiencing delays. Please be patient as our staff are working as hard as they can and will keep you updated as much as they can.
Question: Is the local registry office still working?
Answer: We have been advised that staff at our local registry office staff will remain working to register deaths which will prevent delays on some of your legal cases.