Finding a lawyer

[JRCT]

I need to find a lawyer for a personal matter. I've never had to do this before.

Apart from doing the obvious Google searches, does anyone have any tips on how to make sure I get the right one?

It's a bit more serious than just getting a plumber in, so I don't want to pick one at random from a list of those near to me.

[MicrosoftBob]

A recommendation from friends is as good as anything, go with your gut instinct

[BlueSharp]

I need to find a lawyer for a personal matter. I've never had to do this before.

Apart from doing the obvious Google searches, does anyone have any tips on how to make sure I get the right one?

It's a bit more serious than just getting a plumber in, so I don't want to pick one at random from a list of those near to me.

Without knowing more about what sort of lawyer you need its difficult to suggest, but check your credit cards and home insurance as these can have legal expenses cover included for most civil matters (none familly).

[northernladuk]

You could try ringing a couple and ask them if they have dealt with a case such as yours before that they can draw on rather than start from scratch. I don't know if they are obliged to tell you or if you can find out from some independent body but first step I guess is to say you are in XYZ situation have you dealt with anything like this before and if they evidence a case they dealt with in the past it would work in your favour..

As to how good they are then I don't know how to get around that.

[Paddy]

Public Access Directory


If you have a problem and ask a lawyer for help; you will then have two problems. The second being the lawyer. Solicitors are 110% useless. You are better off getting a direct access (public access) barrister to assist you and act for you. It’s also worth buying some decent law books.

My advice has just cost you £500.

[VectraMan]

There's plenty advertising on TV. On the basis that everything on TV has to be good, then that's the best place to look.

[SimonMac]

DUI? Dealing Drugs? Better Call Saul!

[OwlHoot]

I need to find a lawyer for a personal matter. I've never had to do this before.

Apart from doing the obvious Google searches, does anyone have any tips on how to make sure I get the right one?

It's a bit more serious than just getting a plumber in, so I don't want to pick one at random from a list of those near to me.

If it is just a matter of asking for an opinion on a legal matter, there are loads of online legal advice sites, such as http://www.justanswer.com/uk-law/. You pay a bit (on a sliding scale depending on the detail required of the reply), and some impecunious barrister takes up the "case" and promptly posts a reply (after possibly an exchange of their questions and your replies to clarify the issue). I was impressed on the one occasion so far that I've used them.

Otherwise I'd try and avoid larger solicitors' firms with loads of offices, such as First Property Lawyers (to pick an example off the top of my head) as they tend to be geared up for routine matters such as conveyancing and may lack the flexibility to deal effectively with a non-routine matter. A small rural solicitors' firm might give you a better service.

But that said, large solicitors offices often have barristers on tap, perhaps even working for the same firm, which can be advantageous to their clients, in skills and time and expense, and the tendency these days is to blur the distinction between solicitors and solicitors. In fact in 30 or 40 years barristers will have probably gone the way of proctors and attorneys.

[suityou01]

Fly to America, get run over then take your pick in the Emergency room.

HTH

[OwlHoot]

Fly to America, get run over then take your pick in the Emergency room.

HTH

ambulance