Once a solicitor has qualified, he or she is free to practice in any or all of the 56 or so, recognised fields of law.
How do you choose which solicitor to use? That is the question. Just like all professions there is the good ; the bad and the indifferent.
Well, the old adage of personal recommendation still holds good as a starter. The only problem with that is as most will agree , your divorce may be nothing like any you know.
Whilst preparing this site I discovered that The Law Society run a voluntary Accreditation and Advanced Accreditation scheme.
After a minimum of five years of practising in Family Law solicitors can apply to be assessed for the Accreditation(A)
Then following a further minimum of five years they can apply for the Advanced Accreditation (AA).
I have not found anyone who knows about this scheme, so we have listed the named qualifying solicitors.(The accreditation is awarded to the solicitor NOT the company)
We have provided three lists of solicitors:-
- The named Accredited and Advanced Accredited solicitors in Family Law
- The companies practising in Family Law.
- The named Accredited Mediators.
We have provided 4 phone directories of solicitors with provision for further details and links to their web sites
Children Law ; Education ; Housing ; Welfare Benefits ; Debt and Money Administration ; Insolvency & Bankruptsy ; Taxation ;Pension Law ; Wills & Probate ; Mental Health.
BARRISTERS ; SOLICITORS ; LEGAL EXECUTIVES ; NOTARIES ; EXPERT WITNESSES ; LEGAL CONSULTANTS.
Most of you will be familiar with solicitors and barristers. In most cases barristers may only be accessed via solicitors.
LEGAL EXECUTIVE LAWYERS
Whereas solicitors are free to practice in any field of law, L.E.s only practice in one. New emerging rights means that the role and standing of Legal Executive Lawyers and solicitors is moving ever closer.
They have the right to become solicitors in one or two years after becoming FELLOWS and are usually exempt from the training contract graduates must complete to qualify as solicitors. Fellows can go on to become ADVOCATES.
Legal Executive Advocates can represent their clients in the County Court, Family Proceedings Court, Magistrates Court including Youth Court, Coroners Court and in most tribunals.
Fellows are licensed by the BAR Direct committee of the BAR COUNCIL to instruct barristers direct.
Fellows are now eligible to apply to become judges and from 2010 to become District Judges ; District Judges (Magistrates Courts)
NOTARIES
Most notaries are also solicitors and do their general legal work in that capacity.
EXPERT WITNESSES are just that – they are usually professionals who are recognised experts in a given area.
LEGAL CONSULTANTS
Are frequently freelance / semi retired lawyers who are recognised to have considerable experience in a given field /topic.