Some solicitors give 30 minutes’ legal advice for free. Some offer a fixed fee – that way you’ll know in advance what the advice will cost. You can call a solicitor’s office and ask if they offer a free half hour or a fixed fee. A free or fixed-fee appointment can help you find out your rights and legal position.
Is the first meeting with a solicitor free?
Even if the law firm does not offer free initial consultations, it is usually possible to speak with the solicitor briefly on the phone before the first meeting. This can often help to put your mind at ease and means you will have already spoken with them before you meet in person.
How long is a solicitors appointment?
Appointments take from 30 minutes to an hour depending on how complex the transaction is. You should therefore set aside enough time to enable us to go through things properly with you.
Can I speak to a solicitor on behalf of someone else?
Who is your client? A solicitor can accept instructions given by someone else, where the person providing the instructions has the authority to do so on behalf of the client. … Whether instructions come from an attorney or a deputy, the solicitor’s duty of care is always to the client, the person they are acting for.
Do solicitors charge for phone calls?
A solicitor will charge you for everything they do which is related to your case. This will include: speaking to you on the phone. reading and responding to your emails.
Why do solicitors charge in 6 minute units?
As a basic starting point, as solicitors, we charge for our time. That is published as an hourly rate, but actually accrues, or builds up, in units of 6 minutes (known as “a unit”). The reason for this is that it is easier to monitor costs building up in hours that are divisible by 10.
How do solicitors calculate fees?
Solicitors generally calculate their charge by applying their hourly rate to the amount of time they have spent advising you and acting on your behalf. … The longer a case remains active, the more time the solicitor will spend on the case and, therefore, the greater his / her charge.
What should I wear to a solicitors appointment?
Ensure anything you wear is clean and ironed if needed, but it’s most important to choose clothes you feel comfortable in. Most lawyers have no preference about what their clients wear, unless the case goes to court. Again, there are no formal dress code rules but it’s a good idea to dress in smart, semi-formal attire.
What should I tell a solicitor?
Try to be clear with the solicitor or advsier about what you want to happen.
…
You may want to ask questions such as:
- What happens next?
- How likely is my case to succeed?
- What are the risks involved?
- How long will it take?
- How much will my case cost?
- Am I eligible for legal aid?
- Can I do anything to help my case?
What can I expect from my solicitor?
Solicitors are legal experts and can help you with legal issues such as: buying a house.
…
Your appointment
- ask if you need to bring any documents.
- prepare a list of questions you want to ask.
- tell them if you’re bringing someone with you to the meeting.
- tell them if you have a disability and need a reasonable adjustment.
What three decisions Cannot be made by a legal power of attorney?
You cannot give an attorney the power to: act in a way or make a decision that you cannot normally do yourself – for example, anything outside the law. consent to a deprivation of liberty being imposed on you, without a court order.
Do I need a power of attorney if I am married UK?
Yes! Just because you are married or in a civil partnership does not mean that your spouse will be able to make decisions for you if you were to lack capacity in making your own decisions, and vice versa.
How do solicitors provide legal advice?
solicitors work directly with clients and although specific work activities will naturally depend on the solicitor’s area of expertise, they typically involve conversing with clients to establish their firm’s suitability to provide the necessary legal advice and services, taking the client’s instructions and then …