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Paterson & Dowding

Updated 2026-08-05 · 3,597 reviewed · 163 listed · Scored from 13 Google reviews · How we rank ›

3.5(13) 59 low data composite score See reviews on Google ✓ Google-verified
Wills & Estate PlanningFree Initial ConsultationTrial AttorneyFamily LawLaw FirmLegal ServicesSolicitorCivil Law AttorneyConveyancing & Property Law
Paterson & Dowding
Services
Wills & Estate Planning, Free Initial Consultation, Trial Attorney
Reviews
13

What recent reviews say

Craig Taylor and Alison receive consistent praise for thorough family law work; however, serious complaints span data security failures, slow case progress, fee disputes, and privacy breaches. Results vary sharply by reviewer.

Based on limited recent reviews, so treat this as low-confidence.

Praised for
  • knowledgeable advocates (Craig Taylor named)
  • efficient service when engaged
  • compassionate handling of family disputes
Watch-outs
  • data breach and poor crisis response
  • slow progress and repeated errors
  • high fees with little output
  • privacy breaches and confidentiality failures
knowledgeableprofessionalempatheticresponsive-communicationpoor-follow-upoverpricedslow-progresstrustworthy
Think twice if: Multiple reviews cite missed documents, slow progress, fee disputes, and confidentiality breaches. Data breach and poor communication response in recent review.

Strengths

  • Craig Taylor's detailed case preparation
  • compassionate approach to sensitive family matters
  • established firm with 1967 history

Worth knowing

  • Craig Taylor praised for thorough separation settlements
  • Alison noted as competent team member
  • Recent data breach left client documents online; poor crisis communication
  • Charges noted at $50 per email read in one domestic violence case
  • One client paid $50,000 over 9 months with minimal output
  • Another client received third party's private medical information (confidentiality breach)

What reviews say by service

Family Law
Craig Taylor delivers thorough case work; Lucy Thomas as Independent Children's Lawyer was disorganised; serious complaints of missed deadlines and poor case management
Conveyancing & Property Law
Property settlement praised when Craig Taylor involved; one reviewer notes errors and slow disclosure on what should have been straightforward matter

How it compares

  • Rated 3.5 against a 4.57 average across the 153 family law businesses listed here.
  • Has more Google reviews than 26% of the businesses in this directory.

How we scored this

Scoring Method
Star rating 46
Review volume 50
Review recency 78
Review sentiment 47
Profile completeness 100
Verification 30

Rating breakdown

5
8
4
0
3
0
2
0
1
5

Common questions

Do they charge per email?
One reviewer reported being charged $50 to read each email sent. Pricing structure not disclosed on website.
How long do cases typically take?
One client was told 3 weeks but the matter took 6 months; timelines appear variable and unpredictable based on reviews.

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Last updated 2026-08-05