Blog Post

What areas of law can a solicitor specialise in?

  • By Smalleys Solicitors
  • 27 Nov, 2018
Solicitor consulting

From drafting legal documentation to negotiating with their client’s opposing party, solicitors have a huge range of responsibilities that they must carry out on a daily basis. In addition to dealing with a variety of legal matters, they’re also experts in keeping their clients calm under pressure and providing the right balance of compassion and honesty to guide individuals through a daunting - and potentially distressing - process. 

When you’re hiring a solicitor, it’s essential to look for these qualities to make sure your case will be handled sensitively and professionally from start to finish. It’s also important to ensure that your solicitor has specialised in the area of law that applies to your case, as this is fundamental to achieving the best outcome possible. 

Whether you’re seeking legal advice for an employee/employer dispute or you’ve been accused of a crime you didn’t commit, finding a solicitor who has the specific skills and experience to tackle your case might mean the difference between a successful and unsuccessful case. 

With that in mind, we at Smalleys Solicitors discuss some of the main areas of law that solicitors can specialise in and why you might need to seek legal advice for each. 

Family Lawyers 

Dealing with matters of family law can be unsettling, so it’s best that these issues are dealt with by a solicitor who understands your case and is committed to putting you and your family members at ease. ‘Family law’ is an umbrella term for many different issues and refers to disputes and settlements regarding family members and married couples. These include: 

●    Divorce and marriage dissolution (including annulments and separation)

●    Child custody (including issues of parental rights)

●    Guardianship (including child maintenance payments and parental support)

●    Protection against violence (including child abuse and domestic abuse)

●    Post and pre-nuptial agreements (including finances and property ownership)

●    Rights of unmarried partners (including matters of finance, property and children) 

As with all legal issues, the handling of family law cases requires discretion and benevolence on the part of the solicitor. For instance, if you’re currently going through a divorce, you’ll want to speak to someone who is non-judgemental and non-biased, and who can take an objective look at your situation to help determine the best result for the parties involved. Similarly, if you’re seeking legal advice regarding child maintenance disputes, it will help to hire a solicitor who can assist you when providing emotional support to your child. 

At Smalleys Solicitors, we understand just how important it is to find a professional who fully understands the ins and outs of family law, and who knows when to suggest methods of dispute resolution that don’t involve going to court, such as arbitration and mediation. Our family lawyers are also members of Resolution, a body of legal professionals committed to finding non-confrontational solutions to family disputes, which demonstrates our dedication to providing the best possible legal assistance. 

Will Writing Solicitors and Probate Lawyers 

Unfortunately, dealing with matters of death is inevitable and is something you will have to consider at some point during your life - whether for yourself or a loved one. This is where dealing with wills and probate law will become necessary, covering any issues which may arise as a result of an individual’s death. 

Similarly to family law, hiring a solicitor who specialises in matters of wills and probate is fundamental to ensuring that your case is handled with the right level of sensitivity and confidentiality. 

There are a number of matters covered by wills and probate law, including:

 

●    Wills (including the writing and legal settling of wills)

●    Power of Attorney (including choosing a power of attorney and matters of deputyship)

●    Probate (including access to a Grant of Probate and a Deed of Variation)

●    Care Home Fees (including funding for nursing homes and property advice)

 

Whether a family member has sadly passed away or you’re making preparations for your own future circumstances, hiring a solicitor who specialises in wills and probate law is essential for seeking honest and compassionate legal advice. 

Navigating technical jargon and understanding the legalities involved with death can be difficult, especially when you’re going through an emotional time yourself. That’s why it’s important to discuss your case with a specialist, and to make sure you’re receiving the most accurate advice possible to prevent problems and emotional distress later on down the line. 

Conveyancing and Property Solicitors 

Conveyancing law is the area of legislation relating to the transfer of property ownership from buyer to seller. This is an area of law you may need to deal with if you’re purchasing or selling a residential or commercial property, and require expert guidance from a qualified solicitor. 

In the UK it is possible to undertake the conveyancing process yourself; however, with so many legalities to consider, this is not advised unless you have the necessary qualifications and experience to complete it properly. Hiring a solicitor who has specialised in property law can help speed up the process and make sure every aspect of your case is taken care of from start to finish. 

A conveyancing solicitor will have the following responsibilities:

 

●    Conduct legal searches to ensure the property is safe for use and in liveable condition.

●    Advise their client on any potential issues and how to deal with them.

●    Communicate with third parties to discuss costs and check paperwork.

●    Handle the exchange of money.

●    Review and complete the deal.

 

With so many duties to uphold, the consequences of not hiring a conveyancing specialist could be huge. Failing to conduct property checks to the highest standard or misinterpreting conveyancing jargon could cause serious delays in the process, and could result in you purchasing a property without being as informed as you should be. 

With this in mind, seeking legal advice from a qualified conveyancing solicitor should be your first step when dealing with matters of property law, helping you achieve the best possible outcome for yourself and any third parties. 

Criminal Defence Lawyers 

Criminal law is the area of law that handles the fallout caused by criminal behaviour and is an essential part of upholding the justice system. Criminal defence lawyers deal with all types of crime, from small-scale misdemeanours to serious crime and fraud, and can even get involved with large-scale international matters. Their role is to represent the accused party in court and to provide advice with regards to plea bargains and potential outcomes. 

The areas of crime a qualified criminal defence lawyer will be able to assist with include, but are not limited to:

 

●    Petty crime

●    Breaching the peace

●    Fraud and money laundering

●    Violent crime and assault

●    Homicide

●    Drug-related offences

●    Motor-related offences.

 

For clients involved in crime, either by accusing someone or being accused, hiring a solicitor who has specialised in criminal law is essential to receiving honest and up-to-date legal advice tailored to their case. 

Employment Solicitors 

Employment law is another area of law where hiring a specialist solicitor is highly recommended. From disputing wrongful dismissals to protecting employees against workplace discrimination, employment solicitors can help maintain positive working environments and regulate relationships between employees and employers. 

Employment solicitors support employees and employers with a variety of different legal issues, including those surrounding:

 

●    Contracts

●    Absence

●    Maternity and paternity leave

●    Redundancy and dismissal

●    Workplace discrimination and harassment

●    Disciplinary procedures

●    Equality and discrimination.

 

If you believe you’ve been treated unfairly in the workplace, or if one of your employees has accused you of mistreatment, hiring an experienced solicitor to help settle your dispute is essential to a successful result. A solicitor who understands the ins and outs of employment law will not only understand the steps that need to be taken with individual cases, but will also take the time to familiarise themselves with each case to provide honest and tailored advice. 

Smalleys Solicitors: Qualified and compassionate local solicitors based in Nottingham 

With over 30 years of experience in providing honest and jargon-free legal advice, we at Smalley Solicitors believe we’re a law firm with a difference. We’re a team of professional solicitors specialising in matters of family law, wills and probate and conveyancing, and are dedicated to supporting our valued clients with their case from start to finish. 

We understand just how daunting it can be to seek legal advice, which is why we make it our priority to put our clients at ease with friendly guidance and a caring approach. Whether you’re going through a divorce or writing a will, our team of solicitors will help you through the entire process with the right level of sensitivity and discretion. If it’s important to you, it’s important to us. 

For more information, please don’t hesitate to book your initial appointment with one of our qualified solicitors today.

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