How to Know if Your Solicitor is Good Value for Money
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In the UK, many of us have few dealings with solicitors and are therefore sometimes unsure of what to expect. Because of this, it can be tricky to know if you’re getting your money’s worth. In this article, we’re explaining some of the ways in which you can tell if your solicitor is good value for money.
For most of us in the UK, the services of a solicitor are only required two or three times during our lifetime; when buying a house, in the event of a divorce, and when dealing with probate after losing a loved one.
Because of this, many people seeking legal advice in Cheltenham, Chippenham, Chepstow, or wherever they may live, will have little experience with solicitors. In some cases, they may even be slightly intimidated by them.
This can, unfortunately, lead to people being taken advantage of by unscrupulous law firms. So, in this article, we’re sharing advice on how to know if your solicitor is good value for money.
Tips for Choosing Your Solicitor
In the ‘olden days’, people were extremely limited when it came to selecting a solicitor as, in most cases, this would need to be somebody local. This would be fine for those in the big cities, but not so great for people living in small towns and villages.
These days, thanks to the internet, you have far more options. In this section, we’re looking at ways to see if a solicitor is good value for money during the selection process:
Reviews
These days, most of us wouldn’t dream of buying a product or booking a hotel or service without first checking out reviews – and the same applies to choosing your solicitor. As with any other service, you should be able to find reviews of a chosen solicitor online (and if you can’t, this is a cause for concern in itself). Be sure to check out these reviews, including the comments, to get a feel for the experience of previous users.
Compare quotes
When choosing a solicitor, gather a number of quotes in order to make a comparison and ask each solicitor for costs of:
- Telephone calls
- Letters
- Drawing up of legal documents
- In-person meetings
When hiring a solicitor, all of these things will incur fees and some of these fees will be considerable. For example, you can expect to pay between £25 and £100 plus VAT just for your solicitor to write and send a letter.
Hourly rates
In almost all cases, solicitors work on the basis of an hourly rate which is usually broken down into chunks of six minutes. Rates vary quite widely depending on the area that you live in, and the experience and expertise of your solicitor. For example, a highly experienced solicitor in London might charge up to £512 an hour, whereas a less experienced solicitor in another part of the country may charge around £218 an hour.
When collating quotes, ask the firm for their scale of charges as well as advice on the requirements for your case. A reputable firm of solicitors will be upfront about whether you actually need the services of their top dog, or if a paralegal or less experienced solicitor will be more than sufficient for your requirements.
Hidden costs
Whether you’re signing a contract for a new mobile phone or hiring a solicitor to make your will, nobody likes nasty surprises when it comes to costs. Ask a prospective solicitor about any extra fees which may be charged and, if possible, ask for a sample contract so that you can examine the fine print before committing to a solicitor. A hidden fee may include disbursements (fees which the solicitor has to pay to third parties) which some unscrupulous solicitors will inflate.
Assessing the attitude
A solicitor who is good value for money isn’t just about the fees. You’ll also want to assess professionalism and attitude such as:
- Do they take or return your calls promptly?
- Do they seem engaged or distracted?
- Do they offer vague responses?
- Do they seem to be drawing out the process unnecessarily?
Always remember that you are paying your solicitor to perform a service and these things will give you a good indication as to how professional your solicitor is or isn’t.
What to do if Your Solicitor Doesn’t Deliver
Thankfully, most UK solicitors are honest and will, for the most part, have their clients’ best interests at heart. However, if you do feel that you’ve been short changed, and/or they haven’t dealt with your case in a professional manner, you can contact the Legal Ombudsman who will be able to advise you of your rights and walk you through the process of making a complaint against your solicitor.
Getting Your Money’s Worth
None of us enjoy the prospect of having to hire a lawyer, but the key is to avoid being intimidated. Some solicitors will attempt to ‘blind you with science’ using lots of legal jargon. You are perfectly within your rights to politely ask your solicitor to explain things to you in plain speak to ensure that you know exactly what you’re getting into.
Finally, don’t ever be afraid to ask for an explanation of costs and fees charged – a professional solicitor will always be happy to run through these with you.
