I don't know the legal system over there, however, as a retired lawyer, that all sounds rediculous. First, if this opponent of yours is so famous and scary, wouldn't the lawyer have known that the first day?

8 months to send a letter? Ummm, send the letter the first day, if they refuse, bring a motion to compel document production. Jesus, that's day 1 of law school. It sounds like the lawyer is either corrupt or incompetent. I'm glad you fired him. I'd suggest reporting him to the relevant law society/bar association, if such bodies exist there.