Choosing The Best Solicitor: What You Need To Consider
While there are multiple solicitors you can work with, you must choose the right solicitor since it ensures you can get the best possible outcome in your case. If you’re in the Wokingham area, you can check out CP Law solicitors in Wokingham. Here are some questions to ask to help you find the right solicitor.
Does The Solicitor Suit Your Needs?
When choosing a solicitor, remember that they all have a specialism. For instance, a solicitor can have expertise in wills and probate, commercial, conveyancing, personal injury, or family law. While they may have a grasp of the different specialties, it is unlikely that they are experts in all areas. So, ensure you get one who is well-versed in your specific case.
Before you procure the services of a solicitor, find out whether they are the best person to offer you legal advice, especially if your case is complex.
Suppose English is not your first language. In that case, it would be best that you hire a solicitor who can communicate in your native language. This is vital since it ensures that you can relay all the essential information to the solicitor and guarantees that you fully understand all the steps of the legal process.
If you use mobility aids like a walking frame or a wheelchair, you must consider whether or not the solicitor you want to work with has good disability access in their premise.
Can You Get A Recommendation?
When looking for the best solicitor, word of mouth is an excellent way to find one. If any of your friends or family have ever been in a situation requiring legal counsel, consider asking them whose service they used, their experience, and their thoughts on the fees, service provided, and outcome.
How Much Does Working With A Solicitor Cost?
There is no standard charge for working with a solicitor. Several factors, including the type of your case and its complexity, will influence how much you pay. The fees can notoriously add up, so it will be best to speak with your potential solicitor and inquire about their cost during your initial consultation. Here are the specific things you need to ask about:
- Do they offer an option of paying in installments?
- Do they need a specific amount at the start of the process? If not, will you be expected to pay a monthly or quarterly fee, or will the total amount be due when the process ends?
- What is the estimated total of the completed work?
- Do they offer a fixed fee option? If they do, what is included and excluded from the fee?
Is Your Solicitor A Local?
Depending on your type of case, it may be possible to deal with your solicitor over the phone, email, or post. However, most cases demand that you see your solicitor in person. If your case requires that you deal with your solicitor face to face, you want to hire a local solicitor and one that meets your needs.
It will help to ask a solicitor when they are open to a visit. If you have a conventional job and your solicitor is only available during work hours, you may have to take time off work to see your solicitor.
Are You Allowed To Review Past Case Records & Results?
Client confidentiality is vital, but solicitors can still provide you with their success rates in similar cases. As with other lines of work, successful professionals are often happy to give you the lowdown on their past accomplishments.
Trust Your ‘Gut’ Feeling
It is essential to work with a solicitor whom you have a rapport with since the nature of your case may require you to discuss personal and, in some cases, intimate details. If you are uncomfortable talking to a solicitor when you first contact them, it will be best to find another solicitor.
Some legal matters often demand that you discuss a personal issue, so it is vital to go with your ‘gut’ feeling when choosing a solicitor. Are you comfortable when you talk to them? Have they explained the multiple steps you will go through during your case? Do they answer your questions courteously and professionally? Most individuals tend to overlook these areas, but they are very vital.