< Go Back What is a Solicitor & How Can They Help Me? Posted: Aug 28, 2020As Aristotle once said, “Law is order, and good law is good order”. We’re all governed by laws, regardless of where we live. That’s not to say we all comply with the law. There will be times we’ve all gone a little too fast in the car. Transgressions like this may not seem too problematic but are illegal.
From smaller illegal activities, right up to the most heinous of crimes, if you fall foul of the law or are accused of breaking it, you’re going to need some legal representation to help you navigate the legal minefield ahead. The first port of call will be a solicitor. It’s a term you’ll have heard of I’m sure, but what do they do and how do you find the perfect solicitor for you ?
What is a Solicitor? In simple terms, a solicitor is the name given to someone who is a qualified legal practitioner, albeit different from a Barrister. They will be able to provide legal advice on a variety of areas and support their clients, whether they are individuals, businesses or large corporations, as they work their way through the legal system.
On a day-to-day basis, solicitors all work on a variety of cases as each progresses to trial, settlement or resolution at varying speeds. This will include meeting with clients, writing legal documents or negotiating with their counterparts on the case in-hand. They’re also expected to provide accurate legal advice on a wide range of topics. They will also be expected to attend court when necessary.
The law covers such a large spectrum. Like GPs, most solicitors may know a lot of things about their chosen field in general terms, but can’t possibly know everything about every aspect of the law as a whole and all the intricacies that go with it. This is why many solicitors choose to specialise in certain areas, so they can provide more detailed support and advice.
Solicitors Specialities Solicitors can specialise in many different areas of the law. Family Law and Divorce solicitors will focus on relationship breakdowns or child custody cases. Driving offence solicitors specialise in driving offences. Other solicitors will focus on conveyancing (or property) law, employment law, tax and accounting or criminal defence. When you first speak to a solicitor, if it’s an area they aren’t overly familiar with, they will generally refer you to a colleague who will have the specialist skills to help you.
The solicitors you come across will generally fall into two categories; those employed within a local law firm or those employed ‘in-house’. The former is how many solicitors start their legal career. It also helps them to train for ongoing exams and qualifications, before branching out in one of the many specialities we’ve just touched upon.
In-house refers to those solicitors that are employed within a business and will be practising law in a commercial setting. This will include the negotiation of contracts, personnel disputes, tribunals, etc. Solicitors here begin to specialise in areas of business and can gather real-world, industry-specific experience they may not normally get to see.
Solicitors are an area of society that we hope we would never need, but their role isn’t purely for those on the wrong side of the law. If you’re selling or buying a house, you’ll need a solicitor. The same goes for writing a will, getting a divorce or setting up a business, they (and many other issues) all come under the jurisdiction of legal activities for which you’ll need a solicitor. Like any profession, finding the right one can be a challenge, but when you do, you’ll know you’re in safe hands and good order.
To find the right solicitor for your circumstances, get in touch with Fosse Law today. Give us a call on 0116 262 0290or 0116 326 0100 or please feel free to fill in the enquiry form on our contact page today.
