The UK has three legal systems, not one
England and Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland are separate jurisdictions with separate professions. A solicitor qualified in England and Wales is regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority; in Scotland the Law Society of Scotland regulates, and in Northern Ireland the Law Society of Northern Ireland.
This matters practically: if your matter concerns Scottish property or Scottish family law, you need someone qualified in Scotland, regardless of where you live.
Check regulation before you instruct
Regulated firms hold client money under strict rules, carry compulsory professional indemnity insurance, and are subject to a complaints process that ends with an independent ombudsman. Unregulated providers may offer some legal services legitimately, but those protections do not automatically apply.
Some activities are reserved to regulated professionals. The Legal Services Act 2007 lists six of them: rights of audience in court, conducting litigation, reserved instrument activities which covers most conveyancing, probate activities, notarial activities and the administration of oaths. If someone offers to do any of those, confirm they are entitled to.
Note which words are protected and which are not. Solicitor is protected: under section 21 of the Solicitors Act 1974 it is a criminal offence to pretend to be one. Legal adviser, legal consultant and will writer are not protected at all, and anyone may use them with no qualification, no regulator and no insurance. That is not automatically a problem, but you should know which you are dealing with.
Where money is lost through dishonesty at a regulated firm in England and Wales, the SRA Compensation Fund may cover it. No equivalent exists for an unregulated provider, which is the practical difference regulation buys you.
Beware payment redirection fraud
Conveyancing is a common target for fraud in which criminals email you fake bank details that appear to come from your solicitor. Always confirm account details by phone using a number you obtained independently, and be suspicious of any last-minute change of account.
Understanding how you will be charged
Legal work is priced in several ways: an hourly rate, a fixed fee, a percentage, or a conditional arrangement where the fee depends on the outcome. None is inherently better; what matters is that you know which applies and what it excludes.
Ask specifically about disbursements: payments to third parties such as court fees, search fees or expert reports. These sit outside the professional fee and can form a significant part of the total.
What your client care letter should tell you
- Who is handling your matter, and who supervises them.
- The basis of the charges, and an estimate of the total.
- What is excluded from the estimate, including disbursements and VAT.
- How and when you will be billed.
- How to complain, and the right to escalate to the Legal Ombudsman if you remain dissatisfied.
Choosing on specialism, not just proximity
Law is highly specialised. A firm that is excellent at commercial property may not be the right choice for an employment dispute. Ask directly how much work of your specific type the firm does and who would handle it day to day.
For most matters you do not need a local firm, since work is routinely handled remotely. Proximity matters most where documents must be signed or identity verified in person.
Frequently asked questions
- How do I check a solicitor is genuine?
- For England and Wales, use the Law Society’s Find a Solicitor service, which reflects the Solicitors Regulation Authority record. Scotland and Northern Ireland maintain their own registers through their own Law Societies.
- What is the difference between a solicitor and a conveyancer?
- A licensed conveyancer is a specialist property lawyer regulated by the Council for Licensed Conveyancers, rather than by the SRA. Both can handle a property transfer; the regulator and the breadth of other services differ.
- What can I do if I am unhappy with my solicitor?
- Use the firm’s own complaints procedure first. It must have one. If you are still dissatisfied, you can escalate to the Legal Ombudsman, and matters of professional misconduct can be reported to the regulator.
- Are legal fees fixed?
- Not necessarily. Fees may be hourly, fixed, percentage-based or conditional. Always ask what the basis is, what it excludes, and what disbursements to expect on top.
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About this guide
Written and maintained by the LocalListed editorial team. It describes UK regulation and consumer protections in general terms and is not legal, financial or professional advice. Rules differ between England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and change over time: always check the position with the named regulator before relying on it.