My Isle of Man solicitor copied my emails to the other side—can I complain or get the file transferred?

I’m sorry to hear about the breach of confidence by your solicitor. In the Isle of Man, solicitors are regulated by the Isle of Man Law Society, and they owe you a duty of confidentiality under both the Solicitors’ Code of Conduct and the Data Protection (Isle of Man) Act 2018. You can start by sending a formal written complaint to the Law Society detailing the unauthorised disclosure, the dates, and the specific documents involved. The Society will acknowledge receipt within five working days and, if the matter is deemed serious, will open a formal investigation and may impose sanctions or refer the case to the Isle of Man Courts for professional negligence. Simultaneously, you have a right under the Data Protection Act to obtain a copy of all personal data the solicitor holds about you, including the full file, within one month of request. Send a subject‑access request to the solicitor’s practice (or to the Law Society if the firm fails to comply) specifying that you wish to retrieve the entire file and any drafts sent to the opposing party. If the solicitor refuses or delays, you can ask the Law Society to intervene or, as a last resort, apply to the Isle of Man High Court for an order compelling delivery of the documents. Once you have the file, you can engage a new firm to take over the matter; the new solicitor will usually request a “transfer of file” letter, which the former firm must provide promptly under the Solicitors’ Code. If you need assistance drafting the complaint, the subject‑access request, or locating a reputable replacement firm, I’m happy to help. Sincerely, Ascendance International Organization