In an ideal world, most of us would never need to seek professional legal advice for anything too serious. Of course, we know that there are always going to be instances where we should have a lawyer on hand to check things over. For example, say you are buying a new property. You will definitely need to have a lawyer with experience in property deals and knowledge of the legal requirements to check the contract and ensure that everything is above board. Or, say you are starting a new company. You should talk to a business lawyer about the steps that you need to take and to make sure that you are covered.
However, there are people out there who will do almost anything to avoid having to pay someone to represent them on their behalf. It is not just the people who are willing to go to court and stand up in front of the judge to defend themselves. It is often people who are convinced that the matter can be resolved neatly without the need for any external factors. The truth is that it is always much more sensible to get professional legal advice if you think you might need it. The trick is making sure that you find the right one. Here are a few things that you need to be looking for if you are thinking about hiring a lawyer, and a few reasons why it is the clever thing to do.
Look For Specific Experience
Most legal firms that you look at will tell you that they have years of experience. However, there is a big difference between a firm that can offer you specific solicitors with the experience in the field that you need help with, and a firm that is simply counting the years that the oldest member of their team has been practicing. There are so many lawyers in the United Kingdom and the number is going up all the time. Looking for specific experience is one of the best ways that you can ensure that you are going with the right firm, there are some great companies out there that recruit the best legal practitioners in their field – which can be done with the help and expertise with the likes of Alex Gotch. Finding someone to represent you who is trusted in their field is a good starting point. If it is not clear on their website, do not be afraid to contact them and ask them about their previous experience in this area. A good practice will be able to give you a detailed answer (without getting into any specifics about previous cases, of course).
Look For A Firm That Has A Personal Touch
It does not matter what kind of case you are fighting, there is always going to be a personal element when you are embroiled in legal proceedings. Whether you are going through a divorce, filing a claim against a supplier that is in breach of contract, or trying to settle a will, it can be almost impossible to separate your emotions from the matter in question. We know that it is the solicitor’s job to take the feelings out of the equation and apply their experience and expertise to get you the right result. However, that does not mean that you want a solicitor that is going to keep you at a distance and will treat you like just another client.
This is especially important in cases where there has been serious physical or emotional harm done. In cases such as sexual abuse claims, you are going to need a solicitor who can explain to you what is going on as well as understanding how upsetting and traumatic this all is. Experienced sexual abuse solicitors will ensure that you are kept in the loop, and they will explain all of your options to you so you can choose the best course of action. If you want to talk to abuse solicitors about a case, talk to the team at Hugh James. They understand the value of empathy and understanding, and they have years of experience in getting results.
Look For Transparency On Fees
One of the main reasons why people resist the idea of hiring a solicitor is that it can be expensive. Right now, with the cost-of-living crisis and bills and taxes rising everywhere we look, we are all more than a little worried about our finances. This is why it is very important that you look for a law firm that is going to be up-front with you about how much their services are going to cost. Now, you should remember that there are always going to be instances where costs may vary (depending on how long the case goes on for, for example), but if they cannot give you a clear fee structure then you need to look elsewhere. You should also keep in mind that a good solicitor will often argue for a case to be settled out of court, because this will help you to avoid those costly court expenses.
Look For Good Reviews
Here is a point that goes for almost every service that you may be looking for online. We have all been spending a lot more time online these days, and we have all got a lot more accustomed to the idea of leaving feedback. A good firm should have excellent testimonials and reviews from satisfied clients. If they do not, then that is definitely going to be a red flag to take notice of. If you can’t find any reviews on their website, head online and look for posts about them. Search your social media channels too, as there may well be tweets from unsatisfied customers. It is worth asking the firm you are thinking about hiring for any testimonials from clients with similar cases to yours, as this may help to give you greater peace of mind.
Remember That The Other Party Will Have A Solicitor
Turning back to the idea of why you should absolutely hire a solicitor if you find yourself in legal difficulty, you need to remember that the other party may not be thinking along the same lines as you. Say you’ve been having a disagreement with a business partner. By the time they have delivered you a legal notice, this may be the first that you are hearing of it. But that means that they have in all likelihood hired legal representation and are planning their case against you. If someone has taken that step, you are not going to talk them out of it without a lawyer. You also need to remember that everything you do at this point will be recorded by their team. Don’t waste time, bring a solicitor on board.
Remember That Solicitors Save Time
Even if the idea of representing yourself appeals to you, you need to remember that the legal system is extremely complicated. You may be very confident that you are in the right and that you have all the evidence you need to defend yourself, but there are so many different elements that you will need to consider. Even the slightest mistake or misstep in the process could mean that you lose the case, that you lose time, and that you lose money. Court cases in the UK can get pretty expensive and we are all struggling with rising prices. An experienced solicitor will be able to jump into your situation quickly and smoothly and allow you to get on with the rest of your life without having to worry about every little detail. You are going to have much better peace of mind if you have a solicitor that you trust.