Is this article legal advice?

No. This article is general information only — it explains how the law works in broad terms. It does not take your personal circumstances into account and does not create any lawyer-client relationship. For advice about your own situation, use the Law Society's Find a Solicitor tool, or seek free guidance from Citizens Advice.

Where can I read the original law this article is based on?

All UK Acts of Parliament and statutory instruments are published in full on legislation.gov.uk, maintained by The National Archives. Court judgments are published on BAILII. If this article cites a specific statute or case, the citation in the article links directly to the relevant section.

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Each article shows a "reviewed" date in the byline. When a relevant law changes, we update the article and revise the date. For the most current version of any statute, always check legislation.gov.uk — it marks sections that have been amended or are not yet in force. Bills moving through Parliament are tracked on Parliament.uk.

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You may share the link to this page. If you quote from it, please attribute it to LawTheGuide and note the date you accessed it, as content may be updated. For official or formal use, always cite the primary source — the statute or judgment — rather than this article. The official text is what courts and tribunals apply.

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Each article notes the jurisdiction it covers. Most LawTheGuide content covers England and Wales civil law. Scotland, Northern Ireland, and other countries have different legal systems — some rules are the same, many are not. mygov.scot covers Scottish law, and nidirect.gov.uk covers Northern Ireland. For other jurisdictions, seek local legal advice.

How to find a solicitor — and what to check before you instruct one — Articles

Most people instruct a solicitor at one of the most stressful moments of their lives — a divorce, a house purchase, a redundancy dispute, or a bereavement. Choosing the right one, and knowing what questions to ask before you sign anything, can save you significant time, money, and frustration.

Use the official registers

All solicitors practising in England and Wales must be registered with the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). The Law Society's Find a Solicitor directory allows you to search by location, area of law, and language spoken. Every result shows the firm's SRA number — always verify the number on the SRA register before instructing. The SRA register confirms whether the solicitor holds a current practising certificate and whether any disciplinary findings have been made against them. Never instruct a solicitor who cannot be found on the SRA register — this is a key indicator of fraud.

Specialist accreditations to look for

The Law Society runs specialist accreditation schemes for solicitors who have passed additional assessments in specific areas. The most relevant are: Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS) for property purchase and sale; Family Law Advanced for complex divorce and financial remedy; Criminal Litigation Accreditation for criminal defence; and Children Law Accreditation for children proceedings. Licensed conveyancers (regulated by the Council for Licensed Conveyancers) can handle property transactions but are not solicitors — both are regulated professionals. For legal aid work, a firm must hold a Legal Aid Agency contract in the relevant category.

Getting and comparing quotes

Most solicitors will provide a free initial consultation or at least a fee estimate by telephone or email. When requesting a quote, provide: a brief summary of your matter; the key documents you have; any deadlines you are aware of; and whether you require a quick turnaround. Ask for the quote in writing and ensure it specifies: whether it is a fixed fee or an hourly rate; the fee earner's hourly rate and grade; an estimate of the total hours; disbursements (court fees, search fees, counsel's fees) as a separate line; and VAT. Compare like for like — a lower hourly rate with more hours may cost more than a higher rate with fewer. Ask whether the work can be handled by a paralegal or trainee under supervision at a lower rate for routine tasks.

What a client care letter must contain

Before any work begins, your solicitor must send a client care letter (also called a terms of engagement letter) that sets out: the name of the person handling your matter; the complaints partner's contact details; the scope of the work; the fee arrangement; billing frequency; and the firm's complaints procedure. This is a regulatory requirement under the SRA Code of Conduct. If you do not receive one, ask. The client care letter is your contract with the firm — read it carefully and clarify anything you do not understand before signing.

Conditional fee arrangements (no-win no-fee)

In personal injury, employment tribunal, and some other cases, solicitors can work under a conditional fee arrangement (CFA) — often called no-win no-fee. If you win, the solicitor's fee is paid from the compensation (or by the other side); if you lose, you pay nothing to the solicitor. However, you may still be liable for the other side's costs, court fees, and disbursements — ask about after-the-event (ATE) insurance to protect against these. The CFA must be in writing and must comply with the Conditional Fee Agreements Regulations. Be wary of any arrangement that is not clearly explained in writing before you sign.

If something goes wrong

Every firm must have a written complaints procedure. If you are unhappy with the service, complain to the firm's complaints partner first. If unresolved within eight weeks, you can complain free of charge to the Legal Ombudsman. The Legal Ombudsman can award up to £50,000 in compensation and require the solicitor to reduce or refund fees. For dishonesty or misappropriation of client funds, the SRA can intervene and the SRA Compensation Fund provides compensation of up to £2 million per claim. Citizens Advice provides a guide to getting legal help if you cannot afford a solicitor.

This article is for general information only and is not legal advice. Always check the official source and consult a qualified lawyer for your situation.