There may be times in your life when you’ll need to enlist the help of an expert solicitor. When choosing the right solicitor for you, there are a number of factors you’ll need to consider. Read on to find out more about the situations in which you may need the help of a professional legal expert, as well as the qualities you should be looking out for when selecting the right one.
When might I need a solicitor?
Throughout the course of your life, there will be many situations where you will need to seek legal advice. Here’s just a few areas of your life where a solicitor can provide a helping hand:
Your home
● Buying and selling property (conveyancing)
● Buying to let
● Disputes with landlords
● Obtaining planning permission (or objecting to it)
Your family
● Getting a divorce
● Family disputes and child support
Your work
● Setting up a business
● Employer / employee disputes
● Intellectual property disputes
● Insolvency and bankruptcy
Your life
● Legal disputes
● Criminal proceedings
● Setting up lasting power of attorney
● Making a will
● Probate (settling a will or an estate)
How can I find the right solicitor?
When embarking on the process of finding the right solicitor, there’s several factors that you should check for. Here’s what you need to do to make sure the solicitor you select is right for you.
Referrals and research
One of the best things you can do when seeking a solicitor is to start by asking for referrals from friends and colleagues. At least someone you know will have used a solicitor for something in the past, so chances are they’ll be able to give you a good idea of who to go to. However, it’s important to remember that any firm recommended to you should have legal experts in the field of law which is relevant to your legal problem. If they do not, then you should not follow the recommendation. This is because while your friend may have suggested a solicitor who did an excellent job helping them sell their house, they may lack the necessary expertise to help you through a complicated personal injury compensation claim.
Another good way to find a solicitor is conducting online research. You should research solicitors in your local area and read customer reviews - this is a great way to determine the best services available near you. Remember, though, that with all the means of communication at our disposal nowadays, the local factor is far less important. Email, social media, Skype, Facetime, mobile phones, all provide ways to keep in contact with your solicitor, 24/7 - what’s far more important than your solicitor being local to you is choosing the right solicitor to act for you.
You could also ask around at local businesses, like banks and estate agents. They will normally have some kind of interaction with solicitors and so will be able to give you some good recommendations.
Once you’ve compiled a list of potential solicitors, the next step is to give them a call and set up a consultation. After meeting with several solicitors, you should be able to narrow down your choices and pick the one that’s right for you.
Check qualifications and experience
You’ll want to ensure that your solicitor has sufficient qualifications and experience. While some solicitors claim to be experts in a certain area, they may not have the necessary qualifications or experience.
This is why it’s crucial that you ask - it’s also wise to ask them about their fees and how they will be charged. It’s a good idea to get all of this information in writing so that there are no surprises later on.
Remember to trust your instincts - if you don’t feel comfortable with the situation, then the solicitor is probably not a great fit for you.
Consider personal qualities
While professional skills are important, it’s also important to consider personal qualities. You should make sure you:
● Look for a solicitor with experience in the area of law you need help with. This will ensure they are familiar with the relevant legislation and case law.
● Find a solicitor who is a good communicator. They should be able to explain the legal process to you in plain English. Ideally, they will respond promptly to your emails and calls during working hours and in some cases be available to talk during the evenings and at weekends in the case of an emergency.
● Look for a solicitor who is approachable and easy to talk to. You should feel comfortable communicating with them about sensitive personal matters.
● Find a solicitor who offers value for money - they should be transparent about their fees and offer competitive rates.
● Check that the solicitor you are considering is regulated by the local regulatory authority. This will give you peace of mind that they are subject to professional standards and codes of conduct.
Get quotes from a range of solicitors
While it is beneficial if your solicitor has strong professional qualifications and personal qualities, it’s important that you get a good value for money. Remember that high quality solicitors will charge you substantially to represent you. Therefore, it is also recommended for you to check for quotes and fees from solicitors you’ve shortlisted before making a solid decision. It’s important to ask a solicitor for a free consultation - this will give you an opportunity to get to know them and find out if they are the right fit for you.
Compare client reviews and track records
There’s now an abundance of options available to choose from when it comes to finding a solicitor. There’s a plethora of legal firms, representatives, and solicitors competing with each other to find potential clients. This competition has forced even legal firms to practise marketing techniques in order to gain clients. Therefore, it is very necessary to research two things: Previous case history (track record) and client reviews for the solicitor you’ve shortlisted.
This would give you the personal satisfaction of going to the right person who has proven his worth in the past as well.
Questions you can ask your prospective solicitor
Who will be handling my case?
Depending on the complexity of your case, you may find a number of different solicitors working on it, or if it’s simple it may be delegated to a junior. Make sure you know who your point of contact is.
How do you usually contact your clients?
Knowing if a company prefers to email, phone or have some sort of online system is really helpful. You can discuss how you prefer to be contacted and what the best times are. If it’s likely to be a longer ongoing service (divorce or conveyancing for example) you may want to know how frequently you’re likely to be updated.
How many cases have you represented that were similar to mine?
You should ask about the attorney's track record, such as the number of cases similar to yours that were won or settled, for example.
Are there any additional costs?
Whilst costs are approximated at the beginning, and after further conversation with the firm, they’ll be able to give you a more in depth breakdown, it’s worth asking if there are any extras you’re missing. Anything from extra hours to printing extra copies of contracts can add up, so make sure you know in advance if there may be extra costs.
Other useful questions include:
● How much time will you provide free to assess my case?
● Can you guarantee that I will be able to speak to this solicitor and how much of the work is delegated to other, more junior solicitors?
● How long would you expect the case to take?
Seek legal advice in Aberdeen from quality lawyers
If you’ve been searching for ‘lawyers near me in Aberdeen’,
Lefevre Litigation can help you. Having helped many clients through stressful situations, we know how tough it can be when you’re accused of a crime. We’re here to offer the best legal advice for your situation and ensure you receive the legal representation you deserve. A wealth of criminal court experience ensures we provide our clients with the best service possible in Aberdeen. As specialist
criminal law solicitors, our practice based in the west end of Aberdeen offers reliable criminal law representation when you need it. If you would like to find a lawyer in Aberdeen today then please
get in touch today. We offer early morning appointments and on-site parking - email us on gjk@lefevre-litigation.com.
