subject: Top Tips On Using Your Solicitor Effectively [print this page] Knowing what to expect from your solicitor and knowing what to do prior to meeting with them will help you have a stress-free transaction.
Tip 1
Always shop around before seeking legal advice. Do not be tempted to use your local high street firm with only one local solicitor. Often small firms struggle with workloads and the progress of your case is laboured and thus expensive. Use the Internet to research areas of law that firms in your region practice, once you have produced a list of suitable firms, contact the relevant team for quotation. You can then use these quotations in a price comparison. Be wary however of merely choosing the cheapest option, it is sensible to call the firm and speak to a solicitor that would deal with your case, you will soon gain a feeling of whether or not you could work with and accept advice from this person.
Tip 2
Upon making a first appointment with your solicitor ask them to list exactly what identification, documentation, or evidence they will need to see so that you can bring this with you. This should ensure that you do not have to come back into the office at a later date with these things.
Tip 3
Prior to attending your first appointment think about your issue or topic of advice carefully. You should prepare adequately in order to utilise your time with the solicitor effectively. Produce a list of burning questions that you need answers to as a priority. Also if you are going to discuss a matter that either contains several occurrences or has taken place over a period of time, it is sensible to produce a timeline of events for your solicitor. This will prevent you and your solicitor having to go though the facts and dates of your case and it will also present the relevant information in a logical order.
Tip 4
Your solicitor should always offer to send you a client care letter after your first appointment, this will summarise your discussion, any advice that was given, actions to be taken and provide details regarding the firm's complaints policy. If your solicitor does not say that he/she is going to send you out a client care letter, then ask them to put the details of the meeting in writing for you. It is at this point that you should also try and ascertain a quote for your solicitor's fees and a timescale for any actions to be taken.
Tip 5
Fix costs with your solicitor. Your solicitor might give you a quote for the whole job or might work on an hourly rate - it depends on the nature of the work being undertaken. If it is the latter, then you should always agree a fee limit with the solicitor. This means that if it appears that they may go over the agreed amount they will contact your first for authorisation, this ensures that no unexpected bills arrive at the end of the transaction.
Tip 6
At the risk on annoying your solicitor, do not be afraid to check in on the progress of your case. If you feel like you are not being kept adequately informed then raise this concern with your solicitor (or case Partner) and if you receive no recourse follow the firm's complaints handling procedure.
