Find out about different types of lawyers
Ever had a legal issue?
Sometimes they arrive totally out the blue. Maybe it’s the phone call late at night bringing bad news, a sudden change in your fortunes, or even getting arrested.
Other times they are totally expected and can be planned for – like moving house, starting up a business, or getting your documents and ideas protected.
Whatever the case we often need a helping hand to get us moving. This is where lawyers can come in. But how do you know which type of lawyer you might end up dealing with, or the different ways they can help you?
There are different types of lawyers.
Some lawyers are regulated, meaning that there is an official body keeping watch over them. There are some legal situations that only a regulated lawyer can help you with.
There are different types of lawyers and some will be regulated by an approved regulator of legal services. For example, a solicitor and barrister will be regulated. This means they will be qualified and expected to provide a good quality service.
If they don’t you can complain and are protected in different ways in case something goes wrong.
There are some legal situations that only a regulated lawyer can help you with, such as buying a house.
Other lawyers are unregulated; this means you won’t get all the protections that you would when using a regulated lawyer. But they may be more affordable for you depending on what you want them to do for you.
If you have a legal problem there are different people who can help you. Some of these are regulated lawyers, like solicitors or chartered legal executives.
Other people, such as paralegals, may call themselves a lawyer without being regulated by an approved regulator of legal services. They might instead be part of a membership organisation and be self-regulated.
There are some legal services which non-regulated lawyers cannot provide unless they are supervised and work in a firm regulated by an approved regulator. They can help you with various other services, including writing your will, going to court with you to support you or giving you general legal advice.
Some may offer free advice and support while others may charge a fee. Their level of skills and experience may vary. There are different factors to keep in mind to help you decide where to go.
Some unregulated lawyers work in other businesses and can provide you with other services.
There are different factors to keep in mind when choosing your lawyer – this may be the type of problem you need help with, costs, ease of access or the protections available to you if something goes wrong.
It’s important to know what to expect before you make your choice. In this section you will find the key facts to help you choose between different legal service providers. You will also find information about the legal market place and the options available to do some, or all, of your own legal work.
What is a solicitor
Solicitors are professionals who provide legal services across a wide range of areas. Only people we approve can call themselves solicitors. They must be qualified, behave ethically and follow our rules.
When you have to use a solicitor
You may need a solicitor for certain services which involve handling your money or protecting your freedom. These are called reserved activities and they include:
- buying/selling property
- administering wills
- representing you in court
You may not need a solicitor for other types of legal advice. Other options available include mediators, paralegals and will writers to name a few.
For these other options, you should contact law firms directly to discuss potential prices and services they offer.
