Choosing the most reliable family law solicitor is not as easy as it seems. One needs to know on how they will execute their duties and how much their services will cost. You also need to know their legal capabilities and whether they can be in a position to easily resolve your unique dispute. In order to be able to do this, Shortlands a family solicitor has put together a checklist of the following factors:
- What Is Their Work Experience?
As much as a person who has recently graduated can be in a position to do a thorough job, experience is generally considered to an assurance that you are likely to get a successful outcome through the best means possible. You just to know whether they are actually qualified to handle a matter like yours.
- Who is the Particular Person Who Will Do the Work?
As much as you might find a great family law solicitor, you need to be sure that they will not delegate your issue to a junior in their office who might not be properly qualified or experienced. You also need to know your main contact and know exactly how your case is going to be handled.
- Are They Properly Accredited?
Find out whether the solicitor is duly accredited and if they are, then by whom and what their speciality is. It is also important to know when they were accredited. Both the Resolution and the Law Society run recognised accreditation schemes which needs experience and evident abilities and knowhow.
- Find Out Whether Your Solicitor is A Mediator
Mediation is normally a different process altogether as compared to legal representation. A solicitor-mediator can tell you that they can offer better services since they are mediators. This simply means that they can identify whether your case is fit for mediation and refer you to a reliable mediator and help you to get the most out of the mediation exercise.
- Find Out Whether the Solicitor is A Collaborative Lawyer
Collaborative lawyers conduct out of court proceedings to resolve divorce and family related issues. Training in this areas doesn’t come with accreditation but it exhibits an honest commitment to dynamic practice.
- Find Out Whether They Have A National Level Reputation
There are different national level committees and sub-committees (such as the Law Society Family Law Committee, Family Mediators Association, and Resolution) which enhance the best practices and reforms in law. Any volunteering efforts means that one is committed to reformist values.
- Find out What the Ethos of the Law Firm Are
You need to find out whether they regard themselves as a big commercial entity, where the family law team is disregarded on the website. Do they have a billing culture? Do they charge for photocopies? Find out whether they are a niche practice firm, handling family work only. You might also need to know whether the firm promote participation in resolution and whether the solicitor enjoys his or her work. Are they the kind of people whom you can follow if they leave, or they are kind person who will make you feel relieved to finally transfer from them to someone else?