How to find a solicitor??

ageandjo

I know I have probably posted in the wrong place but can anyone tell me/help me how to find a solicitor in my local area, is there a web site with recomendations etc??

misty

I personally went by word of mouth when I wanted a solictor. However, if you are new to the area you could ask at CAB if they could reccommend someone. Obviously it will depend what you want one for work/criminal/family etc I you find a company that has a number of specialists in different areas - if you need a diff one in the future - you can go to a company you know. Also - will you be on legal aid? - as they don't all offer it. You could look in the local paper - if it is criminal and see names that are mentioned there - I noticed a particualr solicitors is mentioned in our local paper quite a lot - I think this is because they offer legal aid and the cases seem to be benefit fraud.

edited -because of the appaulling typos

ageandjo

Thank you

No I wouldnt want legal aid I don't care what I pay really I ust want a good job done, had a solictor local once but they neve returned my calls etc and that has put me off.
I will keep searching

Pink.

Hi ageandjo,

You should get more help with this on the I wanna board, so I'll move your thread over there. Perhaps if you post your local area, someone on MSE might be able to give you a personal recommendation.

Pink

ILoveHenryJames

The Law Society, which regulates solicitors, has a search facility on its website; this can be found at:

http://www.lawsociety.org.uk

BarginHunter1985

yes either use the law society website, or go by recommendations.

btw what area of law do u need....i might me able to refer you to someone regarding anything criminal or immigration.....

Nicki

The Law Society is hopeless at this. I am actually a qualified solicitor but wanted specialist advice on tax and inheritance planning for a disabled child in London, and the three firms they referred me to were all American firms not qualified to advise under UK law and in the very outer regions of London! I would advise:

1. Personal recommendation from someone who has used a solicitor for the same reason as you want to (not always possible I grant you). There is absolutely no point in going to see a matrimonial solicitor about a conveyancing matter as they will not do a good job, but a lot of regional solicitors (particularly small firms) will try their hand at anything which comes through the door - avoid them!

2. Google for Legal 500 or Chambers Legal Directory. These both have on-line directories and you can search for someone in your area who specialises in the kind of law you want. Anyone who is recommended has been nominated by a cross section of their peers, and should therefore be pretty good.

3. If you can't find either of these directories on line, try to find a hard copy in your nearest big library. Even if the one you find is a few years out of date, it should be fine.

4. As a last resort you could phone a barrister's chambers and ask one of the clerks which local solicitors they would recommend for the type of problem you have. I used to get a reasonable amount of work via this route so I know most chambers will do it.