What area of law do you need?
It’s easy to get bogged down in jargon and complications. You may not know exactly what it is you’re looking for. For example, many people approach us looking to change the deeds on their property, not knowing that would be called a transfer of equity. We try to make it simple on our site so you can see the area of law that your query might fall into, and then you can pick a more specific service if it applies. Do your research and read up on what you need – you'll probably find solicitors have got lots of experience in what you need, even if your situation feels complicated.
Do you need a local solicitor?
In some situations, people prefer having a local solicitor that they can ‘pop in’ to see or drop off paperwork to. If you’re going through a divorce, you’ll want a friendly face and someone you can meet in person to discuss with. Similarly, if you’re having a will drafted, you may want to take advantage of home visits.
However, many legal services can be done remotely, and this means you get more choice and a wider range of prices. Conveyancing, for example, can be done almost completely online. That would include lots of other property-related services, like a transfer of equity.
Note: At the moment, during the Coronavirus pandemic, many legal service providers are working hard to ensure customer and staff safety by working remotely. This means that even though you may have originally preferred a local, personal touch, you can trust that almost all solicitors can do their job well online.
Have you looked at reviews?
Whether you’re buying a holiday, a new piece of clothing or the services of a legal professional, you want to look at reviews. Knowing how a firm handled previous clients, and whether they were happy can make a big difference to how comfortable you feel.
Accreditations and key features
You’ll want to know that the law firm you choose has all the official accreditations and memberships to show that they’re trustworthy and up to date with any industry changes (we only list firms on our site who are fully regulated).
Don’t forget to look at the other factors that may set the firm apart – perhaps they have longer opening hours so you could go by after work? Perhaps having a female solicitor is a priority for you, or you need disabled parking/access near the office? We list these extra features on our site, along with any awards or accolades so you can find the right firm for you.
Do you have an idea of costs?
It’s very easy to immediately think the worst when it comes to legal costs, and that’s because it’s often so hard to compare. Each legal situation is different. But it’s important for pricing to be transparent and for you to know exactly what your options are. That’s what The Law Superstore is for, to let you put in your details and get up to 4 quotes from solicitors, so you can see a rough estimate, along with a range of prices, read reviews and talk to the firms before you agree to move forward.
Have a chat!
You need to be able to trust your lawyer, with the belief that they have the knowledge and ability to take your case on. Whether it’s a simple process or a more drawn out one, talking to them on the phone will give you a clearer idea of who they are and what they can do for you. They’ll also be able to give you more detail when it comes to timings, pricings and expectations.
Some questions you can ask
Once you’ve got a shortlist, there are a few more questions you can ask a potential lawyer to see whether they're right for you:
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 prefer 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 often you’re likely to be updated.
Are there any extra 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.
When you’re not sure where to start with choosing a solicitor or will writer, The Law Superstore is there to make it easier. Put in a few key details about what you need, and get up to 4 quotes from local, professional firms. So you have all the information you need to make a decision that’s right for you.