Understanding Solicitors and Their Areas of Law
The law can be a highly complex and diverse world. There are many different areas of the law and therefore many different types of solicitors that have a chosen specialism.
Different legal matters fall under different categories of the law depending on what it’s related to. Examples include issues regarding family matters or disputes, starting a business, building property, criminal activity and more.
In this article we’ll take a look at these areas of law and the solicitors that specialise in them, so whatever legal problem you might be facing, you’ll know exactly who to go to for help.
Types of Solicitors and Their Areas of Law
Family Law Solicitors
A solicitor that has chosen to specialise in family law can offer advice and representation for legal matters that concern family relationships. This includes highly emotional issues such as divorce and separation, child custody negotiations, adoption, and domestic violence issues.
As well as providing legal advice and representation if a matter goes to court, they can also offer mediation services.
Mediation refers to a family law solicitor who remains independent of both parties, they attend three-way meetings and will act neutrally and try to make negotiations as easy as possible to find the best solution that is fair for everyone. This is generally meant to stop things escalating to court, if both parties can agree on an amicable solution.
Legal Aid Solicitors
Legal aid solicitors are available in several areas of the law. They provide services to those who are unable to afford the costs of legal fees.
Legal aid can help with several of the family issues listed in the previous section, especially in cases that risk harm or abuse, such as domestic violence or child abuse. They can also help if you need family mediation.
As well as family law, legal aid solicitors can also help for issues such as:
- Losing your home, or risk of homelessness
- Criminal law – if you’ve been accused of a crime or are facing prison – there are specialist solicitors in this area
- Discrimination
- Immigration issues – there are also solicitors who specialise in immigration law
- Cases under the Human Rights Act
Legal aid solicitors can offer legal advice, family mediation and representation in court. However, you’ll need to prove you are eligible via a series of tests.
The first test, known as the scope test, looks at the specific issue and evidence to see if the case is serious enough to warrant legal aid.
The second test looks at your financial circumstances. You’ll have to prove that you are receiving a low income. Receiving certain benefits such as Universal Credit, Income Support, or Jobseeker’s Allowance may also satisfy this test.
The final test is the merits test. This means that the Legal Aid Agency needs a reasonable probability of success for your case. If there’s a high chance your case won’t be found in your favour, due to something such as a lack of evidence, you may not qualify for legal aid.
If you are unsure, you can always consult with a solicitor’s office who provide legal aid for more information. Some offices offer free initial consultations, so you can have a basic understanding of where you stand with your case.
Property Solicitors
The buying and selling of houses, land, and other property such as buildings for business use can be highly complex, so it is highly recommended to have an expert guide you through this process. This ensures you get the best outcome, and you have someone there to protect your interests if something goes wrong.
They can make sure everything is done legally and are experienced in handling the mountains of paperwork and contracts required in these purchases. This ensures a quicker, less complicated and more streamlined process for things like moving house.
Property solicitors work under both personal law (for people and families buying homes) and commercial law (for business properties).
They may work with other residential professionals such as surveyors to conduct inspections on properties to make sure there are no outstanding issues.
Commercial Solicitors, Employment Solicitors and Commercial Law
Commercial solicitors cover a wide range of areas of law. These areas relate to businesses and corporation related issues. Legal issues could be about property as mentioned in the section above, or it could be for things such as employment and HR matters.
This may mean employing a solicitor to write up employment contracts to protect both employees and employers. Sometimes you’ll need a specialist employment solicitor for legal advice in instances such as discrimination.
Final Thoughts
This should cover the most common legal areas you’re likely to encounter through life. Other notable specialist areas include personal injury solicitors, and wills and probate solicitors who can help write and execute a will’s wishes.
Remember, if you’re experiencing legal trouble and you’re not sure what help you need, make an appointment with a good solicitor’s office for an initial consultation. They’ll be able to lead you in the right direction.
