There are different types of legal professionals
Legal professionals go by a variety of names. If you have never hired one before, it can be difficult to know the difference between them.
For example, your property purchase could be handled by a conveyancing solicitor or a licensed conveyancer. And your will could be written by a solicitor or a professional will writer.
In these examples, each type of legal professional may be qualified to provide the service you need. But some legal service providers will be more affordable than others.
Often, the difference is between someone who is a lawyer with experience in that area and someone who is qualified specifically for that service.
For example, a conveyancer will typically be cheaper than a solicitor.
What is best for you depends on your needs. You may want a lawyer you can return to for other legal matters, or you may prefer someone who specialises in the one service you need right now.
How instructing a lawyer works
If you are using The Law Superstore, you will receive quotes from up to four different legal professionals. Some may contact you to ask further questions and provide more detail about their quote. Once you have chosen a legal firm, you can discuss how to move forward, what information you need to provide, and how payment will work.
The person handling your case may not be who you instructed
The person who handles your case may not be the same person you first instructed.
While you may have chosen your solicitor because they seemed competent and approachable, legal cases are often handled by a team. Your case may be passed to a more junior member of staff.
Similarly, they may consult with other legal professionals or use a paralegal to carry out research. While your main contact may be the solicitor you first spoke with, do not be surprised if they do not always have every update immediately to hand, as another member of the team may be working on your case.
Lawyers have different levels of experience
The legal profession, like any other, includes people with different levels of experience.
Some lawyers have decades of experience and have handled a wide range of cases. Others are newly qualified and still building practical experience.
Both experienced and less experienced lawyers may be able to handle your case. But speaking to a more experienced lawyer can help put your mind at ease, particularly if your case is complex or unusual.
Ask your potential lawyer how much experience they have and whether they have handled cases like yours before. Remember that you can shop around. You do not have to choose the first lawyer you speak to.
What is the process and timeline?
Whether you are getting a will drawn up, starting divorce proceedings, or buying a property, your lawyer should be able to guide you through the process. They should be able to explain where to start, what you will need to do, and how long it may take.
Understanding each stage is important, and a legal professional who takes the time to explain the process clearly can make the whole experience much easier to manage.
How you will communicate with them
Communication can often be a sticking point. You may feel you are not getting enough updates, but sometimes progress simply takes time. If your lawyer has no news to share, you probably do not want them spending chargeable time contacting you unnecessarily.
Talk to your lawyer about expected levels of communication, their usual approach, and whether they are more likely to email or call.
How payment works
There are different fee structures for legal work.
Lawyers usually price their services based on the complexity of the work, how many hours they expect to spend on it, and the seniority of the legal expert involved.
Some legal professionals may offer a fixed fee for certain services, such as simple wills or a straightforward transfer of equity. Others may work on a sliding scale depending on how complicated and time-consuming the case becomes.
Some cases are offered on a no win, no fee basis, while others may involve a percentage of your settlement. In rare cases, where a matter is particularly significant or high profile, a lawyer may be willing to work pro bono, meaning for no fee or a reduced fee.
When do you pay?
Payment varies depending on the service and the firm. In many cases, you pay at the end when your case is finalised. If extra hours have been spent on the matter, such as in a lengthy divorce, those will usually be added to the final bill.
If there are any disbursements, which are external fees paid by the lawyer on your behalf, you may need to pay those during the process.
For other one-off services, such as will writing, the will writer or solicitor may ask for a deposit or payment in advance.
Talk to your solicitor about how the process works and when payment will be expected.
Do you really have a case?
This is something people often overlook. There may be situations where you do not need a lawyer, or where instructing one should not be your first step.
For example, in divorce proceedings, you may want to use a mediator before moving into the legal process. A mediator can help you and your spouse work through the details of your separation, so if you want to separate but need help agreeing on finances or child arrangements, mediation may be a sensible option.
There are also situations where you think you may have a case, but a legal expert can advise that it is not worth pursuing. They should be able to explain the likely costs, the time involved, how often similar cases succeed, and whether moving forward is realistic.
In some cases, matters are taken on using a no win, no fee arrangement because the legal professional believes the claim has a strong chance of success.