A solicitor works in the legal sector and advises clients on a range of legal matters. This work can involve meeting with clients, drafting legal documents and representing them in court.
The typical qualifications for becoming a solicitor include a law degree or a degree in a different subject followed by the Legal Practice Course and two years apprenticeship with a solicitor known as a training contract.
What do solicitors do?
Solicitors are legal practitioners who work in a variety of areas. They prepare legal documents, represent clients in court and give legal advice. They are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) to ensure they meet high standards of conduct and integrity. The SRA has seven principles that solicitors must follow, including honesty and transparency about costs.
Solicitors may also specialise in specific areas of the law, such as family or property law. Those working in conveyancing, for example, complete all the administrative and legal work needed to transfer ownership of a property between two parties. This involves completing contracts, paying Stamp Duty and communicating with any mortgage broker involved in the process.
In the United Kingdom, a solicitor is a licensed legal practitioner who represents the government or private individuals in judicial and administrative proceedings. A solicitor may also act as counsel to a federal department, agency or bureau. In this role, the solicitor supports the secretary, deputy secretary, assistant secretaries, and directors of a department or bureau.
Solicitors often work in fast-paced environments, and they spend a significant amount of their time in the office. They may also spend time visiting clients at their homes, offices, jails or hospitals to discuss cases. They should wear professional attire at all times and maintain a high standard of ethical behaviour.
They provide legal advice
Solicitors provide legal advice in many situations including buying a house, dealing with inheritance tax, divorce, or resolving disputes. They are also responsible for preparing legal documents such as contracts and agreements. They are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), and they must follow a code of conduct when providing legal services. The SRA is able to investigate complaints about solicitors and take action where they are found to have breached the code of conduct.
Most solicitors work for law firms but some choose to go in-house with companies and organisations. In-house solicitors often focus on negotiating business deals and improving corporate practices. They also provide legal advice to employees and clients. They must be able to understand the context of the law and be able to communicate complex issues clearly to their clients.
A solicitor’s duty is to represent their client in court if necessary. This is known as litigation, and it can include both civil and criminal proceedings. A solicitor will get the facts of a case from their client and brief them in writing. The barrister will then research, draft, and file court papers and orally argue the case.
Many solicitors offer a free or fixed fee consultation to see whether their services are right for you. They can also work on a “no win no fee” basis, which is common in personal injury cases.
They represent clients in court
Solicitors will often be the first point of contact for clients and can have relatively broad roles. However, they can become more specialised in certain firms and practice areas. The type of work they do can fall into two categories – contentious and non-contentious. Contentious legal work involves resolving disputes either in court or tribunals, while non-contentious legal work covers the day to day legal aspects of a business or individual.
Drafting legal documents is a key component of solicitors’ roles. These legal documents will set a legal precedent that signatories follow, so it is vital that they are accurate. Solicitors will also be involved in negotiations and discussions with their clients to achieve the best outcome for their case.
Many solicitors specialise in a particular area of law, such as family law or property law. They can be employed by a law firm or work independently as self-employed lawyers. Generally, the more experience and specialist a solicitor is, the higher their fees will be.
There are several routes to becoming a solicitor, including completing a three year undergraduate degree, a legal practice course and a two year apprenticeship known as a training contract. However, there are now new routes to qualifying as a solicitor without having a degree. These include qualifying as a Chartered Legal Executive first and then converting to a solicitor.
They draft legal documents
A solicitor is the legal professional who prepares the legal documents required for any given case. This involves a lot of paperwork and communication with clients and the court. This role requires a high level of attention to detail and personal organisation skills. In addition to preparing legal documents, solicitors also help clients with their legal research and can draft letters for them. They can also calculate compensation claims and loss of earnings for their clients.
A typical solicitor’s job can be divided into two distinct categories: contentious and non-contentious legal work. Contentious legal work entails resolving disputes, usually in the court system, but also through alternative dispute resolution methods like mediation and arbitration. Non-contentious legal work concerns the legal aspects of a client’s business or personal issues.
The qualifications needed to become a solicitor vary greatly depending on the specialism chosen. Many solicitors begin their careers with a law firm, where they can combine on the job training and studying for their qualification. However, there are also routes to qualification without a law degree and these involve taking a Chartered Legal Executive course followed by the Legal Practice Course. These are longer processes, but they allow people with non-law degrees to qualify as solicitors. Those who wish to specialise in a particular area of law should apply for a training contract at the firm they intend to join as soon as possible, as vacancies are often filled quickly.
