Jian G

Review of Westkin Associates

Unfortunately I did not have good experience with ...

Unfortunately I did not have good experience with Westkin.

I contracted them to help me with my ILR application early this year. They were all good during the consultation. But as soon as deposit was paid, it went down hill quickly.

I was assigned a solicitor and a trainee, who were really unprofessional. The trainee doesn t seem to know what she was doing or talking about. She gave me very confusing instructions on how I should send them my documents. Whether I should provide scan copies or originals. I was told I should do both. I called them to check when I can bring in my original docs after I sent them the scanned copy, the solicitor sounded surprised as if she was not aware that I was going to bring in the originals and said "if you are going to bring them in I would rather review the originals". That was the first red flag.

When I brought my original documents in they asked me to leave them at the reception. I asked if it was safe, they said it would be fine but when I asked them to return me my documents they said I had to go in at a specific time as it is not safe to be left with the reception. That was shocking! It shows that they didn't handle my original documents with care.

The first time I went in to collect them I was only been given back a few of my docs. The trainee said she still needs to scan the rest of them so she couldnt return them to me yet. I was very confused, not only that they had my documents for weeks, I had also scanned all documents and sent to them before I brought them in. The solicitor later came to explain that they had to print them to ensure they are in the right order for my submission and I had to ensure that I keep them in the exact order according to the list they provided me. The irony was when I got the list, they listed the wrong documents on the list. They constantly contradicting themselves.

They made a lot of other mistakes such as didn t see that there are second and third tab in a spreadsheet, didn't make the payment terms clear at contracting, etc..

I eventually requested for a refund on these basis which they did as they know they haven t done a good job.

During the entire process, I gave my feedback to the solicitor early when I noticed the first red flag, but she didn t seem to take it on board and worse raised her voice against me and accused me for lack of trust. Not only that I found that rude, the lack of trust is also a result of their inconsistent instructions. If I had been given contradicting instructions, it is reasonable that I asked questions and gave feedback as a customer.

Based on my experience, their service was certainly way below any professional standards. The process and experience with Westkin was stressful. If I could do a better job myself I don't see why I need to pay them thousands of pounds to do it on my behalf.

I also felt sorry for them as it came across as they hated their jobs.

As immigration matters are really important, it involves people's life. I feel I have the obligation to leave this review so that others are aware and have a more balanced view before making the decision to work with them.

Based on my experience, I would not recommend them.