What Areas Of Law Can a Solicitor Specialise In?

Solicitors can specialise in dozens of distinct practice areas, though the most commonly used by individuals and businesses in England and Wales are conveyancing, family law, wills and probate, employment law, commercial law, civil litigation, and criminal defence. Each specialism calls for different legal knowledge, procedural experience, and interpersonal skills. Choosing a solicitor who holds genuine expertise in the relevant area of law is one of the most consequential decisions you will make when facing a legal matter.

Key Points

Solicitors in England and Wales can specialise in many distinct practice areas, including conveyancing, family law, wills and probate, employment, commercial law, civil litigation, and criminal defence, each requiring particular expertise.
A conveyancing solicitor manages the legal transfer of property ownership; since 1 April 2025, the Stamp Duty Land Tax nil-rate threshold for standard residential purchases reverted to £125,000, making professional advice on costs essential.
Family solicitors handle divorce under the no-fault framework introduced by the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020, which requires a minimum 20-week wait before a Conditional Order can be applied for.
Wills and probate solicitors deal with estate planning, Lasting Powers of Attorney (registration fee £92 per LPA from 17 November 2025), and estates under intestacy rules where the surviving spouse’s statutory legacy is currently £322,000.
The Employment Rights Act 2025 will reduce the unfair dismissal qualifying period from two years to six months from 1 January 2027, making employment law advice particularly time-sensitive for employers and employees alike.

Solicitors in England and Wales may concentrate in any one of numerous recognised areas of law, with some firms focusing on a single specialism and others covering a broad range of practice areas. The branch of law a solicitor works in shapes everything from the statutes they rely on to the courts they appear in and the clients they serve. Choosing the wrong type of solicitor is not simply a question of preference; it can lead to missed deadlines, incorrect advice, and consequences that are difficult to reverse.

Qualification now takes place through the Solicitors Qualifying Examination route introduced by the Solicitors Regulation Authority in September 2021. Candidates must pass SQE1 and SQE2 assessments, complete two years of qualifying work experience, and satisfy the SRA’s character and suitability requirements. Expertise in a particular area builds over years of supervised practice and further training after admission.

Conveyancing and Property Law

Conveyancing is the legal process of transferring ownership of land or property. A residential conveyancing solicitor carries out searches, reviews the contract, raises enquiries, advises on mortgage conditions, and handles the financial transfer on completion. Since 1 April 2025, the nil-rate SDLT threshold for standard residential purchases reverted to £125,000, with 2% applying on the portion from £125,001 to £250,000 and 5% on the portion above. First-time buyers pay no SDLT on the first £300,000 of a purchase price up to £500,000. A conveyancing solicitor calculates the liability as part of the transaction.

Property solicitors also advise on commercial leases under the security of tenure provisions in Part II of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954. For leaseholders, the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 is being brought into force in stages. The draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill published in January 2026 proposes to make commonhold the default tenure for new flats, cap ground rents at £250 per year transitionally, and lower the conversion consent threshold to 50% of qualifying leaseholders; these remain proposals under consultation.

Smalleys Solicitors offers residential conveyancing services as well as commercial property advice for businesses.

Family Law

Family solicitors advise on divorce, child arrangements, and financial matters arising on separation. Divorce is now governed by the no-fault framework under the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020, in force from 6 April 2022. Either party, or both jointly, applies by filing a statement of irretrievable breakdown without needing to prove fault. A minimum of 20 weeks must pass between the court issuing the application and the applicant applying for a Conditional Order, followed by a further six weeks before a Final Order.

The Supreme Court’s judgment in Standish v Standish [2025] UKSC 26 clarified how courts treat matrimonial and non-matrimonial assets on divorce. The sharing principle under the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 applies only to matrimonial property. Whether a non-matrimonial asset has been “matrimonialised” depends on whether the parties, over time, treated it as shared; a transfer made solely to save tax will not ordinarily achieve this. The ruling affects cases involving pre-marital wealth, inheritances, and gifts.

Arrangements for children are governed by the Children Act 1989, under which courts make Child Arrangements Orders specifying with whom a child is to live and spend time. Where a child needs to be cared for by someone other than a parent on a long-term basis, the court may make a Special Guardianship Order under section 14A of the Children Act 1989, conferring parental responsibility on the special guardian. This is a distinct legal order, not a general use of the term “guardianship.” Before most court applications, parties must attend a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting; the April 2024 amendments to Practice Direction 3A tightened the evidence required to claim an exemption.

Wills, Probate, and Lasting Powers of Attorney

Solicitors in this specialism advise on passing on estates, planning for incapacity, and administering estates after a death. A carefully drafted will avoids the intestacy rules under the Administration of Estates Act 1925. The current statutory legacy for a surviving spouse on intestacy is £322,000, in force since 26 July 2023; the remainder of the estate is then split equally between the spouse and any children.

Suppose a Nottingham homeowner dies without a will leaving a spouse, two children, and an estate of £600,000. The spouse receives the personal chattels plus £322,000. The remaining £278,000 is divided equally between the spouse and children, with each child receiving £69,500. A valid will could have left the entire estate to the surviving spouse, deferring any tax liability and simplifying administration.

Lasting Powers of Attorney allow a donor to appoint attorneys to act in the event of lost mental capacity. From 17 November 2025, the Office of the Public Guardian registration fee is £92 per LPA, meaning £184 to register both a property and financial affairs LPA and a health and welfare LPA. The Powers of Attorney Act 2023 provides for a digital LPA system, currently being phased in. Claimants who consider they have not been adequately provided for from an estate may apply under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975, ordinarily within six months of the grant of probate.

Employment Law

Employment solicitors act for both employers and employees. Day-one protections against discrimination under the Equality Act 2010 cover nine protected characteristics including age, disability, race, sex, and religion. The right to bring an ordinary unfair dismissal claim currently requires two years of continuous employment under the Employment Rights Act 1996. From 1 January 2027, the Employment Rights Act 2025 reduces this to six months and removes the cap on compensatory awards, increasing potential exposure for employers significantly.

Employment tribunal claims are subject to strict time limits, generally three months less one day from the event complained of, and require prior notification to Acas. Both employers and employees benefit from early advice before matters reach the point of formal proceedings.

Commercial Law

Commercial solicitors advise businesses on company law, shareholders’ agreements, mergers and acquisitions, commercial contracts, and directors’ duties under the Companies Act 2006. On a share acquisition, a commercial solicitor conducts legal due diligence, negotiates and drafts the sale and purchase agreement, and advises on warranties and indemnities. A share sale and an asset sale differ in their practical and tax consequences, and a solicitor with transactional experience will ensure the structure fits the commercial objective.

Civil Litigation and Criminal Defence

Civil litigation solicitors act in disputes between private parties arising from breach of contract, professional negligence, property matters, or debt recovery. Claims are allocated to tracks depending on value and complexity, and court fees for issuing claims increased from 8 April 2025. Pre-action protocols require parties to exchange information and consider alternative dispute resolution before proceedings begin.

Criminal defence solicitors represent those under investigation or charged with a criminal offence. Advice begins at the police station, where suspects are entitled to free independent legal advice under the duty solicitor scheme regardless of financial means. Criminal legal aid, under the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012, is subject to a means test and an interests of justice test; Crown Court trials automatically satisfy the latter. For those in the Arnold and Nottingham area facing a criminal investigation, including fraud, regulatory, or trading standards matters, instruction of an experienced criminal defence solicitor at the earliest opportunity can make a material difference to the outcome.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can one solicitor advise across several areas of law?

Yes, some solicitors maintain a broad general practice, particularly in smaller firms. In most cases, a solicitor concentrating on a specific area will have the depth of knowledge and procedural familiarity a specialist matter requires. Where a client’s situation spans more than one area, it is common for different solicitors within the same firm to handle different aspects.

How do I check that a solicitor is authorised to practise?

All solicitors in England and Wales must hold a current practising certificate from the Solicitors Regulation Authority and the firm must be authorised by the SRA. Both can be verified on the SRA’s public register using the firm’s SRA number.

Do I need a Resolution-member family solicitor?

Membership of Resolution is not a legal requirement, but it signals a commitment to the non-confrontational, child-focused approach the organisation promotes. Many clients find this approach particularly valuable in proceedings involving children or where both parties wish to preserve a working relationship after separation.

What if my solicitor makes an error?

Solicitors are required to hold professional indemnity insurance, and a client who suffers loss from negligent advice has a potential professional negligence claim against the firm. Complaints about conduct or service should first be raised with the firm and, if unresolved, can be referred to the Legal Ombudsman.

Is it too late to make a will or LPA if I am already unwell?

The test is mental capacity at the time of execution, not general health. Provided a person understands what they are signing and its effect, a will or LPA remains valid even during illness. Where capacity is in doubt, a solicitor may arrange a medical assessment to accompany the document, providing protection against a later challenge.

About the Author

This article was reviewed by Pritpal Chahal (SRA number 314584), Solicitor and CEO of Smalleys Solicitors. Pritpal is one of the original founders of the Askews Group, of which Smalleys forms part, with more than 20 years’ experience in commercial and conveyancing work. He retains his practising certificate and continues to advise on complicated business transactions, with a particular focus on business fraud, trading standards, mortgage fraud and VAT fraud cases. Pritpal also leads on the firm’s SRA compliance work. Smalleys Solicitors is regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority under SRA number 639164.