Hi All,

I am currently having some problems getting our deposit money back from an Egyptian Lawyer who was recommended to us from the agent we used in UK.
We paid the deposit money into the lawyers client account in aug 07 pending us being happy and signing the contracts. We werent happy with the contracts and therefore pulled out of the purchase in november 07. We have been trying to obtain a refund from the lawyer ever since and he is becoming increasingly difficult to contact!
I am in the process of sourcing an Egyptian Law Specialist who may be able to help us recover our monies.

Is anyone having similar problems?
Does anyone have any up to date contact information for the Egyptian Bar Association or other Egyptian Authorities that might be able to help?

Thought I would start a new thread then IF anyone else having similar problems we can share our experiences and hopefully help each other out! Plus people who arent having problems may have valuable information to share!

Thanks
Sue

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I suspect that just like in UK it will be difficult getting one lawyer to approach another on this sort of issue.

What has the lawyer told you about the money - has it been paid to the developer or not.

Have you paid any fees due to the lawyer yet, otherwise they will hold your money until paid I bet.

One of my owners used a lawyer in Hurghada and it was a bit hard work and expensive, good result in the end.

Just proves my point about who to trust - someone that is in the UK that you can meet and "take a view on" or someone else, even if it is a lawyer

Any deposits for my apartments are paid to me and any refunds will be paid promptly in accordance with the terms of the agreement, by me in the UK.

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Hi Sue - sorry to hear this. In hind sight may be it is better that he is not acting for you especially as he has ' gone underground '. Zeiad is an excellent lawyer and often gives out free advise. He may well post on this thread but if not put his name in the search box and PM him. Im sure he will be more than happy to advise you.

Hi Sue,

I would work quick on this one,you don't want him to disappear.Also you should have some comeback on your agent shouldn't you,the one who recommended him?..

thanks queenie I will contact him - got a few options on now so thanks to everyone who is helping me out here! Its much appreciated!

Your welcome and hope you get your money back.

Apparently not because no deposit was paid to the agent - all the monies went directly to the lawyers account. If we had paid the agent a deposit then this would have formed a contract with the agent and YES I could have then gone back to them. As it stands at the moment I am lead to believe there is no come back on the agent (which is terrible!). I am told that it is the responsibility of the solicitor to distribute your money to the relevant parties at the relevant times and if he doesnt do this correctly its negligence on his part - obviously here comes the problem as then you have to employ another lawyer to pursue a claim against the original lawyer for negligence! Nightmare!

By the way - does anyone know what exactly it means in Egypt to exchange contracts? I am being told that contracts can be exchanged without us (the buyer) signing anything.....??
Any ideas?

thank you - so do I!!!! Everything crossed at the moment - will keep this thread updated and post any info i come accross that might help others in the same or a similar boat!

I wish you well with this one but do act fast as there is a lot at stake.