Frequently asked questions
Browse or search for FAQs about finding a solicitor.
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If you cannot find the answer you need contact us. We do not provide legal advice.
Alternatively, you can find out how to choose a solicitor or complain about a solicitor.
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Found 57 result(s). Currently displaying 1 to 20.
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| 'No win no fee' : What will I have to pay? |
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You will need to discuss the precise arrangement with your solicitor, but under a ‘no win no fee’ agreement, you will not have to pay your solicitor for his/her time should your claim not succeed. You will, however, have to pay any other incurred costs (such as court fees or the fee for a medical report). These are normally known as disbursements. If your case fails it is likely that the court will say that you will have to pay the costs of the other side. However, your solicitor should be able to arrange insurance to cover both the disbursements and the other side's costs if you lose your claim.
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| Accident and injury: What to do |
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What should I do if I have an accident or I am injured? If you, a friend or a relative has been injured in an accident that was someone or something else's fault, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and loss of earnings.To help you decide whether you can make a claim contact a local solicitor specialising in injury claims. Select 'personal injury' or 'medical negligence' in your Solicitors-Online search. For no-win, no-fee arrangements - visit www.accidentlinedirect.co.uk for more details or call 0800 19 29 39. This is the only referral service endorsed by the Law Society. |
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| Acts of Parliament |
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How do I find out about Acts of Parliament? Acts of Parliament and Statutory Instruments are available on the official HMSO website. Commercial publishers have subscription based services which give web access to Acts and Statutory Instruments currently in force see www.butterworths.co.uk or www.smlawpub.co.uk. |
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| Advertising in Law Society Gazette |
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Can I advertise in the Law Society Gazette? Contact the Advertising section of the Law Society Gazette on 020 7320 5854 or by post to Law Society Gazette, 7th Floor, Fox Court, 14 Gray's Inn Road, London WC1X 8HN, or by e-mail to Gazette-advertising@lawsociety.org.uk |
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| Advertising: How do I find out about the legal side? |
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How do I find out about the law and advertising? For legal advice on advertising, choose "Media" or "Intellectual Property" in your Find a solicitor search. This will find solicitors specialising in this area of law. Alternatively, contact the Advertising Standards Authority.Solicitors' advertising is regulated by a code of practice. |
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| After The Event insurance: What is it? |
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You will need to discuss the precise arrangement with your solicitor, but under a ‘no win no fee’ agreement, you will not have to pay your solicitor for his/her time should your claim not succeed. After The Event insurance only applies when your solicitor is working under a 'no win no fee' agreement. It is arranged by your solicitor to cover both sides' costs if your claim fails. For more information, see no win, no fee arrangements. |
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| Alternative Dispute Resolution: What is ADR? |
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All types of ADR are alternatives to a court trial and judgement as a way to resolve a dispute. ADR methods can be used at any time, even after court action has been started. Your solicitor is best placed to help you with ADR matters. In fact many mediators are solicitors. You can be legally represented in some types of ADR. Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) includes mediation, arbitration, and expert determination
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| Areas of law: What are these? |
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Solicitors tell the Law Society of the types of work they frequently undertake by completing a questionnaire each year. They may practice law in one specific area because they have experience of that legal subject or work in a team or department that has that experience.Many practice in more than one area of law. |
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| Areas of law: What are these? |
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Solicitors tell the Law Society the type of work they frequently undertake by completing a questionnaire each year. Solicitors tell the Law Society the type of work they frequently undertake by completing a questionnaire each year. They may practice law in one specific area because they have experience of
that legal subject or work in a team or department that has that experience. |
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| Armed Forces: Getting legal help |
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I am in the Forces. Where can I get legal help? Try Forces Legal Network, a national association of independent firms of solicitors with recognised experience of service personnel with legal problems both connected with service life and generally. Phone +44 (0)845 601 1260. |
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| Before The Event insurance: What is it? |
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Before The Event insurance (also known as Legal Expenses Insurance) covers legal costs for certain types of claims. Before The Event insurance (also known as Legal Expenses Insurance) covers legal costs for certain types of claims. This type of insurance is commonly associated with car insurance and household contents insurance. It is often added to these polices at no cost, or for a few pounds. If you have Before The Event insurance you should consider whether to use this rather than some other form of funding (such as a ‘no win no fee' agreement). Your solicitor will advise you on this. Your employer, Trade Union, or any other body that you belong to (such as a sports club) may also have arranged insurance. If you believe you may be covered by such insurance you should talk to the appropriate body and take any relevant insurance documents when you go to see your solicitor. |
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| Buying a property abroad |
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How do I find a solicitor to help me buy a property abroad? Our page on using solicitors outside England and Wales contains links to useful resources on finding foreign lawyers. Other resources include: |
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| Children and legal advice |
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How can children get legal advice? For Care proceedings and associated matters search our online Find a solicitor facility, using "Child care" to find solicitors on the panel of solicitors recognised as competent in representing children and other parties in care and other proceedings under The Children Act and related matters.Children needing advice and support can contact Childline 0800 1111. The Children's Legal Centre at is a national charity, based at Essex University, offering free advice on all aspects of law affecting children and young people. There is a special advice/advocacy service for children or parents involved in an education dispute in South East England but they will also help with problems outside this area. |
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| Choosing a solicitor: How do I do this? |
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Finding a list of solicitors in your area is easy using the Law Society's website or helpline. Finding a list of solicitors in your area is easy using the Law Society's website or helpline. Check our online Find a solicitor facility to start your search, or call 0870 606 6575. Think carefully about what type of service you need. The Law Society is not able to recommend a particular firm or solicitor. |
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| Citizenship: How do I apply? |
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How to find a solicitor to help you apply for citizenship. Use our online Find a solicitor search facility. If you need to get British Citizen status select "Immigration and nationality" from the drop down list showing areas of law when searching for a firm. |
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| Civil liberties and human rights |
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How can I get advice on civil liberties and human rights? Use our online Find a solicitor search facility. To find a firm of solicitors working in this area of law Select "Civil liberties/human rights" from the drop down list showing areas of law when searching for a firm.The new Human Rights Act came into force in England and Wales in October 2000. Human Rights Act questions can be raised by any type of case. Your solicitor should be able to identify and advise on these questions. The Criminal Cases Review Commission is an independent body set up under the Criminal Appeal Act 1995. Responsible for investigating suspected miscarriages of criminal justice in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Visit www.ccrc.gov.uk. |
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| Claims Assessor: What is this? |
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Claims assessors are business people who handle compensation claims, especially in accident cases. You could face a number of problems or risks if you use a claims assessor:They may be without formal legal training or qualification. Legal action cannot be started on your behalf by a claims assessor; this may weaken your negotiating position, or cause unnecessary delay. Costs can often be as much as a third of any compensation you recover. No insurance cover is required, so your could be seriously disadvantaged if the claims assessor fails to deal with you claim properly or is negligent. The Law Society's would not suggest that you seek advice form a claims assessor. You should consider the advantages and protection you will gain from using a solicitor. |
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| Complain about government departments: How do I do this? |
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Ombudsman schemes handle complaints which cannot not be resolved directly with the government department. Contact Government, Parliamentary and Health Service ombudsman's office at www.ombudsman.org.uk.The main government website is www.direct.gov.uk. |
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| Complain about Local Government Departments: How do I do this? |
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Ombudsman schemes handle complaints which cannot not be resolved directly with the Local Authority. Contact the Local Government Ombudsman at www.lgo.org.uk/. |
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| Conditional fee agreements: What are they? |
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Conditional fee agreement is the technical name for what is more commonly known as 'no win no fee'. Conditional fee agreement is the technical name for what is more commonly known as 'no win no fee'. For more information, see no win no fee arrangements. |
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