posted by lawyersofmelbourne.com.au admin on Oct 31
META: When solicitors tend to promise you the earth to start, it can be very difficult to know how to choose the right firm to assist you in your case. Hopefully some guidance is contained in this article for you.
Finding a solicitor to take on your case can be a very daunting task. Not to mention trying to ensure that you are instructing exactly the right firm of solicitors for the job. A clear criteria and expectations of your relationship with your solicitor, at times like this usually a good thing to have. Start by approaching local solicitors in your area.
Obviously and rather annoyingly, when you first set out to find a solicitor you need to find the right one for your case you are likely to find that all firms will be tending to promise you the same levels of service. In fact, you may find it very difficult to place a pin between most firms. Firms of solicitors have an uncanny way of advertising their service as though they are the best thing since sliced bread. The initial communiction with most solicitors will be aimed at securing your business with them, and they are likely to make you feel like they are only dealing with your case. At these times however, you need to be cautious. Ascertain as many details as you possibly can and keep an open mind throughout. Bearing all the points in mind you should be able to decide whether or not they are going to give you a good level of service.
If you are promised absolutely everything at your consultation, then it might be worth ignoring certain parts, as it is very unusual for most solicitors to adhere to these promises! Establish at the beginning whether your case is going to be delegated to someone else; as it’s very often the case where a more junior member of the firm, or someone with no formal qualifications at all deals with it. It will be up to you to ascertain how truthful you feel the response is here, if you feel that they are squirming rather uncomfortably, you have your answer.
Most importantly, you need to ask them how they are going to deal with your case and ask them to set out, very clearly, the merits of your case in their own opinion. The likliness of winning your case is question that must be asked, so make sure you get them to stipulate this for you. Before they take your case on, solicitors will access your chances of success, especially if you are applying for Legal aid.
Find out, by asking your solicitor, what actions to progress your case are necessary; get this in writing also if you can. It’s crucial here to listen very carefully as their response will determine as to whether or not you instruct them for your case.
Progress reports are important, so check with the solicitor on how they plan to do this and then of course, make them stick to what they have agreed. At this point, state to them that before going ahead you need to consider this. Solicitors are known to be ignorant, along with some of the worst communicators in the world, so this tends to be the area where most people lose faith.
Knowing whether you have chose the right solicitors is always tricky, but the impartial online reviews will give you some idea of what the firm are like. Solicitor.info is one such uk solicitor directory, where you will find accurate and up-to-date information on what previous clients have thought about different solicitors. Armed with this information as well, you will be in a much stronger position to ensure that you select exactly the right solicitor for your case.