Contents
The short answer
In England and Wales, check any solicitor or firm on the Solicitors Regulation Authority register. Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own regulators. Ask how you will be charged and get it in writing before you start. If a firm does not show up on the register, do not assume it is regulated.
Who regulates solicitors in the UK?
The UK has three separate legal systems. England and Wales is one. Scotland is another. Northern Ireland is the third. Each has its own solicitors and its own regulator.
In England and Wales the regulator is the Solicitors Regulation Authority, or SRA. In Scotland it is the Law Society of Scotland, and in Northern Ireland it is the Law Society of Northern Ireland.
This matters in practice. If your case is about a Scottish house or Scottish family law, you need a solicitor qualified in Scotland, wherever you live.
How do I check a solicitor is regulated?
In England and Wales, search the SRA register on the SRA website. It is free. You can look up a person or a firm, and you can see whether someone has been stopped from practising.
Read the result carefully. If the register shows nothing, that does not prove the firm is regulated. It only means the SRA has no record that matches your search. Treat that as a reason to ask more questions.
The Law Society also runs a Find a Solicitor directory. It is useful for finding firms by area of law, but joining is optional. A solicitor who is not on it is not necessarily a problem.
What does regulation protect me from?
A regulated firm must follow strict rules for holding your money, and it must carry insurance in case it makes a mistake. You can take a complaint to an independent ombudsman if the firm does not put things right.
In England and Wales, a compensation fund run by the SRA may help if money is lost through dishonesty at a regulated firm. Unregulated providers do not offer these protections automatically.
Which job titles can anyone use?
'Solicitor' is a protected word. It is a crime to pretend to be one. But 'legal adviser', 'legal consultant' and 'will writer' are not protected. Anyone can use them, with no training, no regulator and no insurance.
That is not always a problem. Some of these people are good at what they do. You just need to know which kind of provider you are dealing with and what protection you have.
Other kinds of regulated lawyer exist too. A licensed conveyancer specialises in property and is regulated by the Council for Licensed Conveyancers. A legal executive is regulated through CILEx. Both can do some of the work a solicitor does.
How will I be charged?
Legal work is priced in a few different ways. You might pay an hourly rate, a fixed fee, or a fee that depends on the result. None of these is automatically better. What matters is that you know which one applies and what it leaves out.
Ask about disbursements. These are costs paid to other people, such as court fees, search fees and expert reports. They are on top of the solicitor's own fee and can add up.
Firms in England and Wales that advertise certain services must publish their prices on their websites. These include buying or selling a home, uncontested probate, motoring offences, unfair dismissal claims at an employment tribunal, and immigration. The prices must say whether VAT is included and what is not covered, so use them to compare firms before you phone anyone.
What should my client care letter say?
Before work starts, a firm should send you a letter that sets out the basics. Read it properly. It is your best protection if there is a disagreement later.
- Who is doing your work and who supervises them.
- How your fees are worked out, with an estimate of the total.
- What is not included, such as VAT and disbursements.
- When and how you will be billed.
- How to complain, and your right to go to the Legal Ombudsman if you are still unhappy.
How do I choose between firms?
Law is a wide subject, and solicitors specialise. A firm that is excellent at company law may not be the right choice for a family dispute. Ask how many cases like yours the firm handles and who would do the work day to day.
For most jobs you do not need a local firm. Much of the work is done by phone and email. Being close matters mainly when you must sign papers or show your ID in person.
Speak to more than one firm. Notice how fast and how clearly they reply. A slow or vague answer now often means a slow or vague service later.
How do I protect myself from payment fraud?
Buying a home is a common target for fraud. Criminals send fake emails that look like they come from your solicitor, with new bank details. If you pay, the money is gone.
Always check bank details by phone, using a number you found yourself and not one in the email. Be suspicious of any last-minute change.
Check by phone before you pay
If an email asks you to send money to a new account, stop. Phone the firm on a number you already trust and confirm it. Do this every time, even if the email looks right.
What if I am unhappy with my solicitor?
Start with the firm's own complaints process. Every regulated firm must have one. Put your complaint in writing and keep a copy.
If you are still not satisfied, you can take it to the Legal Ombudsman. There are time limits, so do not wait too long. Check the Legal Ombudsman website for the current rules. Serious concerns about how a solicitor behaved can also be reported to the regulator.
Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own complaints routes. The Law Society for each nation can point you to the right one.
Frequently asked questions
- How do I check a solicitor is genuine?
- In England and Wales, search the SRA register for the person and the firm. In Scotland and Northern Ireland, use the register kept by that nation's Law Society. Do not trust a logo on a website.
- What is the difference between a solicitor and a conveyancer?
- A licensed conveyancer is a property specialist regulated by the Council for Licensed Conveyancers. A solicitor is regulated by the SRA and can work in many areas of law. Both can handle buying or selling a home.
- Are legal fees fixed?
- Not always. Fees can be hourly, fixed, or based on the result. Ask which applies, what it leaves out, and what extra costs to expect.
- Does the solicitor have to be near me?
- Usually not. Most work is done by phone and email. Distance matters mainly when you need to sign documents or show ID in person.
- What can I do if my solicitor makes a mistake?
- Complain to the firm in writing first. If you are not happy with the answer, you can go to the Legal Ombudsman. Regulated firms carry insurance for mistakes.
- Is 'will writer' the same as 'solicitor'?
- No. 'Solicitor' is a protected title. Anyone can call themselves a will writer, with no required training and no regulator. Ask what protection you would have.
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.
