Legal services
Finding and paying for legal advice
If you need legal advice, it's important to go to the right type of legal professional. There are a number of ways to help you pay for legal services, and many places you can go to for help to find a legal adviser.
- Who can I go to for legal advice?
- I don't think I can afford a legal adviser
- How do I find a legal adviser?
Who can I go to for legal advice?
Most people think they have to go to a solicitor for legal advice. This isn't always true.
For example, a licensed conveyancer can do everything a solicitor can do if you are buying a house.
Basic legal advice may also be available from advice centres.
I don't think I can afford a legal adviser
If you can't afford a legal adviser, you may be eligible for financial support through the Community Legal Service Fund (legal aid). You can download leaflets about funding from the Legal Services Commission website at www.legalservices.gov.uk. You can also use the calculator on the CLS Direct website at www.clsdirect.org.uk to see if you qualify for legal aid.
If you don't qualify for legal aid, there are other options to help you.
For example:
- a conditional fee arrangement (also known as no win, no fee)
- legal expenses insurance
- help from your (or your partner's) trade union
For more information on these alternative funding arrangements, see the CLS Direct leaflet No Win, No Fee on the Community Legal Service Direct website at www.clsdirect.org.uk.
Alternatively, a legal advice centre or law centre may give you free advice. All law centres and some legal advice centres will have at least one regulated adviser on their team. To see what advice centres or law centres may be available in your area, you can search on these websites:
www.clsdirect.org.uk
www.lawcentres.org.uk
www.citizensadvice.org.uk
www.adviceuk.org.uk
How do I find a legal adviser?
There are many places you can go for help to find a legal adviser.
- The CLS Legal Adviser Directory can find a legal adviser in your area. It contains details of all legal information and advice providers who have the Community Legal Service Quality Mark.
- The Law Society for England and Wales - www.lawsociety.org.uk
- The Law Society's online directory at www.solicitors-online.com
- Council for Licensed Conveyancers - www.theclc.gov.uk
- General Council of the Bar - www.barcouncil.org.uk
- Institute of Legal Executives - www.ilex.org.uk
- Citizens Advice - www.citizensadvice.org.uk
- Yellow Pages www.yell.com or Thomson Local Directory www.thomsonlocal.com
- The website www.lawyerlocator.co.uk has lists of UK solicitors and details of what they specialise in.
