Is a solicitor needed

Solicitors are not the only people who can provide legal advice. Legal help may be available from:-

• other professionals, for example, an accountant who can give advice on tax and company law
• advice centres, such as the Citizens Advice Bureaux, housing advice centres, money advice centres, law centres
• other organisations, such as trade unions and motoring organisations.

You may act for yourself in court proceedings or, if you are acting for yourself, you may have a friend or lay representative to assist you in court.

Choosing a solicitor

If you need a solicitor you should choose one who has experience in the appropriate area of law.

A local advice agency such as a law centre or Citizens Advice Bureau, should be able to recommend local solicitors who are experienced in the appropriate area of law or will be able to provide information on how to find a suitable solicitor. In some cases, a CAB can refer you to an organisation which can offer free legal help. You can also find details of solicitors on the Law Society website at www.solicitors-online.com, or go to the Community Legal Service Directory for details of solicitors and advice agencies throughout England and Wales.

If you are at a police station, or have been charged with an imprisonable offence, you can obtain free legal advice under the duty solicitors’ scheme. If you are at the police station, the police will contact the duty solicitor. If you are at the magistrates or youth court, the arrangements for providing the solicitor will vary. In Northern Ireland, Belfast Magistrates' Court is the only magistrates’ court with a duty solicitor's scheme.

If you need more information about choosing a solicitor you should contact a local advice agency, such as a law centre or an experienced adviser at a Citizens Advice Bureau.