Skip to Content

Appointing a Solicitor.

Most people use either emotive or practical reasons when choosing a solicitor, quite often it's because either they have been recommended, or the firms' office is convenient to where they work or live, but is this the best way to choose a solicitor?

We would recommend that you contact a number of firms before you engage a solicitor.

We feel that before you choose a solicitor you should.

- understand who will be dealing with your work, and make sure you speak to that person.

- ask about costs - fixed price or hourly rates

- does the firm provide a free or reduced cost initial interview

- what will the solicitor be doing for you

- what experience they have in that area of law

- what else can the firm provide - for example back up if your solicitor is on holiday or ill

- any environmental considerations, for example wheel chair access

For many areas of law the Law society has set up accreditation schemes, for example, the Family Law Society, Wills and Inheritance Quality mark, Conveyancing Quality and many others. If a solicitor has one of these marks, it means that they are approved experts in that area of law, it does not mean that those without the Quality mark cannot help you, it may be that they have decided not to apply, but it is a benchmark.

In addition to the Law Society Quality marks, firms may have the Lexcel Quality mark which the Law Society state is a firm's 'Gold standard' and covers such areas as client care, complaints, data management etc. To muddy the waters a bit more, many solicitors have qualified for the international quality mark ISO 9001, which many believe is harder to obtain.

It's good that these quality marks exist, but every solicitor must apply by the extremely comprehensive Solicitors Regulations Authorities code of conduct anyway, full details of the code of conduct is available online through the SRA web site www.sra.org.uk. The code covers the manner in which the solicitors should carry out their duties, if the solicitor fails to provide an acceptable service, you do have recourse to complain about the solicitor to the Legal Ombudsman www.legalombudsman.org.uk.

The point we are making is that the legal industry is a tightly regulated industry, quality standards are great indicators but many great solicitors choose not to apply for them, we would recommend that when you are talking to the different solicitors, you use quality service marks as one of the factors you consider when making your decision.


If you wish to see the full list of Quality service marks through the Law Society please visit their web site.






Appointing a ##DISCIPLINE## Solicitor in ##LOCATION##.
Image Description
related news
recent articles
Flying Freehold

What is a Flying Freehold and should it matter?..

link

What is a Section 60 notice?

Over 2000 section 60 notices have been issued in London last year, what are they and do they work?..

Buying the Freehold of a Leasehold Property

Guide to buying the Freehold of a Leasehold Property.
The logic of leasehold is hard to understand at times, that you can buy a home but not own the land it ha..

Employment Law | Holiday Entitlement.

As an employee, you have rights protected by law, one of these rights is your entitlement to holidays...

Major Change in Divorce Law - no fault divorces

Government to finally introduce 'no-fault' Divorce laws..

link

Protecting your on-line memories

Protecting your on-line memories - In a recent survey over 2,000 people were asked what they think happens to digital images on Facebook if a user passes away,..

Neighbour Disputes | Nuisance Neighbours

Unfortunately, not everyone is respectful in life, most of the time we just move on and keep our opinion to ourselves, but when that comes to where we live you..

Injunctions.

How to apply for one, and what is an injunction? - If you are seeking an injunction we would recommend that you take immediate advice...

Gig Economy - Rights for workers.

Hermes become the first major company to make concessions to 'Gig..

link

Licensing Law Solicitors | Solicitors.com

Licensing Solicitors.
Licensing Law Solicitors can advise you on any licensing matter including, premises licensing (food and alcohol), entertainment, betti..

Children and the Law Consensual Sex

Children and the Law Consensual Sex
To consent is to agree to something, so when you are talking about the age of consent it is the age at which that law state..

Bail

What is Bail in the UK - If you have been charged with a crime you can be released on bail from the police station, which means you will be able to go home but..

Image Description
Is there anything wrong with this page? - any amendments will receive accreditation - email us

Solicitors.com are not a firm of solicitors, and any content on the site should not be used in substitute for obtaining Legal advice from a solicitor regulated in the UK, Solicitors.com recommends that you contact a firm of solicitors to discuss your individual legal requirement. Whilst we strive to bring you accurate up to date content, all content on this site is not legal advice and is not guaranteed to be correct. Use of this site does not create a client relationship.

Information by area of law
Back to top