Understanding Legal Advice and Solicitors
What is a Solicitor?
A solicitor is a trained lawyer who helps people with legal matters. They give advice, take action on behalf of their clients, and represent them in court. Solicitors have offices throughout the UK, making it easier for people to find help when they need it.
Why Do You Need a Solicitor?
If you have a legal issue, such as a dispute, a criminal charge, or a family matter, you may need a solicitor. They can help you understand your rights and what to do next.
How to Choose the Right Solicitor
- Specialisation: Solicitors can specialise in different areas of law, like family law, criminal law, or immigration law. It’s essential to find one who knows about the specific issue you are facing.
- Example: If you have a problem with a divorce, you should look for a solicitor who specialises in family law.
- Experience: Check how much experience a solicitor has. An experienced solicitor is more likely to handle your case effectively.
- Finding a Solicitor:
- You can find solicitors by looking in local newspapers or directories like the Yellow Pages.
- The Citizens Advice Bureau (www.citizensadvice.org.uk) can help you find names of local solicitors and what areas they specialise in.
- You can also check the Law Society websites:
- Law Society of England and Wales: www.lawsociety.org.uk
- Law Society of Scotland: www.lawscot.org.uk
- Law Society of Northern Ireland: www.lawsoc-ni.org
- Cost of Services: Solicitors usually charge based on the time they spend on your case. It’s important to ask how much the legal services will cost before starting.
- Example: If a solicitor charges £150 per hour and your case may need 10 hours of work, you should expect to pay around £1,500.
Key Points to Remember:
- Always check a solicitor’s specialisation and experience.
- Use reputable sources to find solicitors.
- Understand the costs involved before starting a case.
Questions for Practice
Easy Level Questions
- What is a solicitor?
- A) A type of doctor
- B) A trained lawyer
- C) A school teacher
- D) A shopkeeper
- Where can you find solicitors?
- A) In a library
- B) In local newspapers
- C) In a supermarket
- D) At school
- What should you check about a solicitor before hiring them?
- A) Their hobbies
- B) Their specialisation
- C) Their age
- D) Their family
- What does a solicitor do?
- A) Fix cars
- B) Give legal advice
- C) Teach students
- D) Write books
- What is the Citizens Advice Bureau?
- A) A place to buy clothes
- B) A service that helps you find solicitors
- C) A type of bank
- D) A school for lawyers
- How do solicitors charge for their services?
- A) By the number of clients
- B) By the time spent on a case
- C) By the amount of paperwork
- D) By the type of law
- Why is it important to ask about costs upfront?
- A) To know if you can trust the solicitor
- B) To avoid surprises later
- C) To impress the solicitor
- D) To make friends
- Which website can you visit to find solicitors in England and Wales?
- What is an example of a legal matter a solicitor can help with?
- A) Buying groceries
- B) Writing a novel
- C) A divorce
- D) Going on holiday
- What is the main role of a solicitor in court?
- A) To serve food
- B) To represent their clients
- C) To judge cases
- D) To take notes
Medium Level Questions
- What is the first step in finding a solicitor?
- A) Check their social media
- B) Ask friends for recommendations
- C) Identify your legal issue
- D) Visit their office
- If you need help with immigration, what type of solicitor should you look for?
- A) Criminal lawyer
- B) Family lawyer
- C) Immigration lawyer
- D) Business lawyer
- Why might a solicitor advertise in local newspapers?
- A) To sell products
- B) To attract new clients
- C) To find employees
- D) To share news
- What is one way to ensure a solicitor is qualified?
- A) Look at their online profiles
- B) Check their educational background
- C) Ask them to tell a joke
- D) See how long they have been in business
- What might be included in a solicitor’s fees?
- A) Printing costs
- B) Travel expenses
- C) Time spent working on the case
- D) All of the above
- If a solicitor charges £200 per hour and you spend 5 hours with them, how much will it cost?
- A) £500
- B) £600
- C) £700
- D) £800
- How can you contact the Law Society of Scotland?
- A) Through their website
- B) By phone only
- C) By visiting a solicitor’s office
- D) Sending a letter only
- What is important to remember when discussing your case with a solicitor?
- A) To be vague about the details
- B) To provide all necessary information
- C) To ask them to guess the outcome
- D) To keep it a secret
- What kind of cases do family solicitors handle?
- A) Criminal cases
- B) Divorce and custody
- C) Business contracts
- D) Property sales
- Why is it useful to find a solicitor who is local to you?
- A) They know the best restaurants
- B) They understand local laws and customs
- C) They are cheaper
- D) They are more friendly
Hard Level Questions
- What should you do if you feel a solicitor is not handling your case well?
- A) Ignore the problem
- B) Discuss your concerns with them
- C) Complain to the police
- D) Write a negative review online
- What is one role of the Law Society?
- A) To write laws
- B) To regulate solicitors
- C) To run courts
- D) To create legal documents
- When you first meet a solicitor, what is a good question to ask?
- A) How long have you been a solicitor?
- B) What do you do for fun?
- C) How many clients do you have?
- D) What is your favourite movie?
- If a solicitor does not specialise in the area you need help with, what should you do?
- A) Ask them to help anyway
- B) Look for another solicitor
- C) Wait and see
- D) Cancel your case
- Which of the following is NOT a type of law that a solicitor might specialise in?
- A) Criminal law
- B) Family law
- C) Cooking law
- D) Immigration law
- Why might the cost of legal services vary?
- A) Different solicitors have different fees
- B) The weather affects prices
- C) The time of day changes costs
- D) Clients are charged based on their looks
- What is one way to gauge a solicitor’s experience?
- A) Ask how many cases they have won
- B) Look at their social media followers
- C) Check their qualifications and training
- D) See if they have a nice office
- If you receive a bill from a solicitor that you think is too high, what is the best action?
- A) Pay it without question
- B) Discuss it with the solicitor
- C) Ignore it
- D) Complain online
- What is the benefit of using the Citizens Advice Bureau to find a solicitor?
- A) They offer free services
- B) They provide reliable recommendations
- C) They have the most solicitors listed
- D) They work for the government
- What is a potential consequence of hiring a solicitor who is not qualified?
- A) You might win your case
- B) You could lose money and your case
- C) You will have a better chance in court
- D) Your case will be faster
Answers and Explanations
Easy Level Answers
- B) A trained lawyer
- B) In local newspapers
- B) Their specialisation
- B) Give legal advice
- B) A service that helps you find solicitors
- B) By the time spent on a case
- B) To avoid surprises later
- B) www.lawsociety.org.uk
- C) A divorce
- B) To represent their clients
Medium Level Answers
- C) Identify your legal issue
- C) Immigration lawyer
- B) To attract new clients
- B) Check their educational background
- D) All of the above
- A) £1000 (not £200)
- A) Through their website
- B) To provide all necessary information
- B) Divorce and custody
- B) They understand local laws and customs
Hard Level Answers
- B) Discuss your concerns with them
- B) To regulate solicitors
- A) How long have you been a solicitor?
- B) Look for another solicitor
- C) Cooking law
- A) Different solicitors have different fees
- C) Check their qualifications and training
- B) Discuss it with the solicitor
- B) They provide reliable recommendations
- B) You could lose money and your case
This structured approach provides clarity on the role of solicitors, their specialisations, how to find the right one, and the importance of understanding costs in legal matters.
