Solicitors
Solicitors are qualified lawyers. The majority work in firms of solicitors. These are businesses that charge for their services. Some solicitors have offices in high streets, others in the streets around the local court. Some firms of solicitors advise on a wide range of subjects, others specialise in just one or two areas.
The atmosphere in a solicitor’s office can sometimes feel formal and official. Don’t let this put you off: remember that solicitors deal with problems like yours every day.
Firms of solicitors can often help with the same kinds of problems as advice centres but they can also offer you services that most advice centres can't. These include starting or defending any court proceedings, making a will, getting a divorce, buying and selling a house and advising on criminal law.
Solicitors can:
- give you advice about the effect of the law on your particular circumstances
- explain your options and the effects of choosing one option over another
- negotiate with the person or organisation causing you the problem
- write letters or make phone calls on your behalf
- prepare legal documents and court applications
- arrange for you to be represented in court
Some solicitors can get legal aid for you (see How do I find an advice centre or solicitor? in menu on the right). Involving a solicitor at an early stage may stop things getting out of hand, so you don't have to go to court at all.
Paying for legal help
If you are on a low income and only have limited savings you may be able to get part or all of your legal costs paid through legal aid (‘Community Legal Service Funding’).
If you are claiming Income Support, income based Job Seekers Allowance or Pension Credit (guarantee credit) you will be eligible for legal aid without having to make a contribution towards it.
In some types of cases, where you gain or keep money or property with the help of legal aid you may have to repay all or some of your legal costs out of that property.
The legal aid system is complicated. If you have a legal problem and are worried about how much it will cost you to sort out ask your solicitor about this at your first appointment. They will be able to tell you if you are entitled to legal aid or not. Alternatively you can check online by using Community Legal Advice's Legal Aid Calculator. See How do I find an advice centre or solicitor? to find solicitors and advisers who can offer you legal aid.
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