Choosing Solicitors

Choosing your solicitors is one of the most important decisions that you can make when you have been involved in an accident.  However, most people will have never been involved in a claim before and often accept the first solicitor appointed or that they come across without conducting any further research.  When things go wrong they will also usually accept any explanation given by their solicitor simply because they do not know any better.

With the advent of the internet there is no reason why you should not research the matter before deciding who to use.  You are not obliged to use any solicitor "appointed" for you by your road traffic or legal expenses insurer and just because the firm acting for you is a solicitors' firm does not even mean that the person dealing with your case is qualified.  

The first thing to do is make sure you have a qualified lawyer, whether a Solicitor, Barrister or Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives, dealing with your case. Make use of the internet to check out the website of any law firm you are thinking of using and the web page of the person who is to act for you.

If the firm has a specialism in personal injury work it will usually have at least one member of the Personal Injury Panel and will display an accreditation on their website. Details of the panel can be found by clicking here.

Where you appoint a lawyer to act for you they are professionally obliged to write to you advising of their qualifications. Don't be fooled by marketing speak. If they do not call themselves a solicitor, barrister or legal executive then they are not professionally qualified.

If in doubt check out the Law Society website by clicking here and typing in the name of the firm. The Law Society keeps details on the firm and the lawyers working in the firm. You have an absolute right to instruct a solicitor of your choice. If you do think you have made the wrong choice then you have an absolute right to change solicitors.

Think we can help?  Call us on 01296 662770 to discuss the matter.