When choosing a solicitor, you will have to consider what type of work you will want them to do. There are general solicitors but also specialist solicitors. So it depends on your needs.

This report is meant as a general guide to assist you in helping you choose the best solicitor for your circumstances. Read it carefully, and where necessary, review other recommended information, before searching for a solicitor. It helps to have as much preparation done as possible, prior to your initial choice and selection.

Having done this, consider if need to identify a specialist legal advisor & if so, it is preferable to have someone who belongs to one of the range of Law Society and SRA accreditation schemes.

1. Check out the various Accreditation Schemes.

Most solicitors belong to accreditation schemes, relative to the 'speciality' that they practice in.

For example there are:

Children's Panel Accreditations Scheme

The Children Panel Accreditation Scheme aims to connect you with practitioners experienced in representing children and other parties under the Children Act 1989.

Family Law Accreditation Scheme

Family law can deal with difficult issues. Family Law Accreditation Scheme members can advise on separation, divorce etc

Family Mediation Accreditation Scheme

Family Mediation Accreditation Scheme members are solicitors or legal executives (fellow of the Institute of Legal Executive), can help couples who are dealing with divorce or separation.

Civil and Commercial Mediation Accreditation Scheme

Civil and Commercial Mediation Accreditation Scheme members, who must be solicitors or legal executives (ie Fellows of the Institute of Legal Executives, or FILEXs), offer ways to resolve disputes without using the courts.

Personal Injury Accreditation Scheme

The Personal Accreditation Scheme will help put you in touch with legal practitioners who offer advice on and assistance with claims resulting form personal injury.

There are other accreditation schemes covering other areas.

2. Choose your 'speciality'

Having concerned your situation, and why you need a solicitor, you should have some idea of the speciality that is required for your case. Once this is done you can look for solicitors having the speciality.

3. Looking for Potential Solicitors

Once having decided where you need a specialist solicitor, you can start looking.Firstly, it is worth asking friends and colleagues if they either know of, or have ever used the type of solicitor that you are looking for. A personal referral is often the best way.

Or you can use the internet to search by using the search engines. Type in the type of solicitor that you are looking for, and your locality. You can also check out online directories like yell.com or local internet directories.You need to create a list of at least four possibilities, so that you can visit & then eliminate.

4. What to Look For

Having confirmed that each solicitors practice has the specialist that you require, you can telephone them and set up a preliminary appointment. When doing so ask if they offer an initial free consultation. Many solicitors do this, and you may want to stay with those. During your initial telephone call, and contact with the company, pay attention to how you are treated, the courtesy extended, and the attitude expressed toward you. As you are a prospective client, you would be expected to be treated as such, from the earliest contact. If you are not, this may be an indication of the type of treatment later on. However, you can confirm his at your first meeting.

5. Your Initial meeting.

Pay attention to how you are treated, by all staff. Having explained your situation, ask them how they may be able to help.

If you require a specialist solicitor, ask to be introduced to them, and see if you can spend at least 10 minutes discussing your case. If you decide to appoint this practice to act on your behalf, you need to be sure that you like the person. Especially, as you may be looking for their support during stressful times. Find out if this solicitor belongs to an accreditations scheme associated with his 'specialty'

Also ask them to confirm that you will be dealing with the same solicitor throughout your case. You don't want to be seeing different people all the time.

Ask them what experience they have had dealing with similar cases to yours, and what have been their successes.

Ask them for a list of their fees, and how these are meant to be paid.

Finally, ask them to put in writing to you, the discussions, and how the plant o help you, along with budgeted costs and predicted time scale.

6. Make a Choice

Having visited at least three solicitors, you can now consider:

a) Did you like the atmosphere and ethos of the practice?

b) did you like the solicitor that make act for you (if you so decide)

c) was the solicitor a 'listener', and considered your situation, listening carefully, rather than talking all the time

d) Consider their track record regarding similar cases to yours.

e) Consider their fee list, and likely costs associated with your case. Bear in mind that usually, things take longer than estimated, and therefore could be more costly.

f) Finally, may a decision based on the above, and get moving.

7. Remember who is in Charge

Bear in mind that it is likely to be your money that will pay the solicitor (unless you are fortunate to obtain legal aid), so that means that you need to be in control. Do not be afraid to ask questions, and when in meetings, be organized, focused and avoid meaningless talk. Most solicitors charge by time, so don't discuss last years holiday with them!

Remember that the solicitor is effectively, your advisor, but it is you that makes the decisions regarding your case. Their job is to provide you with options, alternatives according to the law, bearing in mind your situation.