Every city and good-sized town has a solicitor. Often there are quite a few, from large city law companies to small, one-man bands. How to choose which one is right for you can be tricky. Here’s a few things to look out for:
Price will always be a consideration when choosing legal services. At AWB Charlesworth Solicitors, we value price transparency and providing expert, affordable legal services.
The prices of several popular legal services are published on our website so that you can research and compare prices easily. Some legal service providers publish low headline prices but include lots of additional extra costs in the small print. We don’t do this. Once you instruct us to look after your legal matter, we provide a quote specific to your circumstances, together with estimated timescales.
You may want to check if the law firm pays another party for referring work to them. If they do, they should tell you what they pay for the referral. At AWB Charlesworth Solicitors, we work solely on the basis of reputation and repeat business: we do not pay for referrals from estate agents or other introducers. As a local firm, we are known in the community both as lawyers, volunteers, parents and friends. We value long-term business relationships based on excellent service and trust.
Some firms do not meet their clients face to face – everything is completed remotely and electronically. Other traditional firms require clients to attend meetings in person and send correspondence by post. Think about how you want your legal services delivered, and whether your chosen provider can work in this way. At AWB Charlesworth Solicitors we have three modern offices where we can see our clients face-to-face. We have also invested in technology which allows us to provide our legal services remotely.
There are various quality marks which identify firms who adhere to additional standards in relation to client care, staff development and financial stability. You can usually see these on a firm’s website or letterhead. At AWB Charlesworth Solicitors we are assessed annually against the Law Society Practice Management Quality Standard “Lexcel” and the Conveyancing Quality Standard. We are proud to hold these accreditations.
What do you want from your solicitor? Some solicitors specialise in personal injury, others family law. Choose a solicitor that has enough skill in your legal matter, whether that’s conveyancing work, or wills and probate.
Finally, clients may wish to instruct lawyers who put something back into the community. Your chosen firm may have a ‘Charity of the Year’ which is close to your heart, or they may support your child’s local soccer team. At AWB Charlesworth Solicitors we balance expert legal advice and running a sustainable, healthy business with regular support of local charities and community groups.
Other useful links:
Law Society: Using a Solicitor
https://www.lawsociety.org.uk/public/for-public-visitors/using-a-solicitor
Solicitors Regulation Authority: Choosing a Solicitor
https://www.sra.org.uk/consumers/choosing/
For more information, please contact Felicity Green on 01756 692885 or email felicity.green@awbclaw.co.uk.
17 May 2023
