What exactly does a solicitor do — and when do you actually need one? Most people in the UK will use a solicitor at least once in their lifetime, yet fewer than one in three feel confident choosing one, according to the Legal Services Board [Consumer Tracker, 2024]. This guide answers the questions that matter before you pick up the phone.
What Is a Solicitor and How Do They Differ from a Barrister?
A solicitor is a qualified legal professional who advises clients, drafts documents, and manages cases from start to finish. Solicitors in England and Wales are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), which maintains a public register of over 160,000 practising solicitors [SRA, 2025].
The distinction between a solicitor and a barrister often confuses consumers. A solicitor handles your case directly: gathering evidence, negotiating settlements, and corresponding with the other side. A barrister, by contrast, is a specialist advocate who typically appears in court on referral from your solicitor. A third category — a legal executive, regulated by the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEx) — performs similar work to a solicitor in specific practice areas but follows a different qualification route.
For most everyday legal needs — buying a house, writing a will, resolving a workplace dispute — a solicitor is your first point of contact.
Key point: You do not need to hire a barrister separately in most cases. Your solicitor will instruct one if your matter goes to trial.
What Types of Solicitor Are There?
Solicitors practise across dozens of specialisms. The right type depends entirely on what you need help with.
Common Practice Areas
- Conveyancing solicitors handle property purchases, sales, and remortgages. They manage searches, exchange contracts, and ensure legal title transfers correctly.
- Family solicitors deal with divorce, child arrangements, prenuptial agreements, and financial settlements. Many hold Resolution accreditation for collaborative practice.
- Employment solicitors advise on unfair dismissal, redundancy, settlement agreements, and tribunal claims. They act for employees or employers.
- Personal injury solicitors pursue compensation for accidents and clinical negligence, often on a no-win-no-fee basis (a Conditional Fee Agreement, or CFA).
- Criminal solicitors represent defendants in police stations, magistrates' courts, and the Crown Court.
- Immigration solicitors handle visa applications, asylum claims, and appeals before the First-tier Tribunal. If you need help in this area, our guide to finding an immigration lawyer covers the process in detail.
- Wills and probate solicitors draft wills, manage estate administration, and advise on Inheritance Tax planning.
The Law Society's "Find a Solicitor" tool lets you search by postcode and practice area across England and Wales.
How Much Does a Solicitor Cost in the UK?
Solicitor fees vary widely by location, complexity, and billing model. Understanding the three main fee structures helps you avoid surprises.
Fee Structures Explained
- Hourly rates — Common for litigation and commercial work. Rates in London typically run £250–£500 per hour; outside London, £150–£300. Always request a costs estimate in writing.
- Fixed fees — Standard for conveyancing, wills, and uncontested divorces. The SRA's Transparency Rules require firms to publish fixed-fee pricing for common services on their websites.
- No-win-no-fee (CFA) — Used in personal injury and some employment claims. You pay nothing if you lose; if you win, the solicitor takes a "success fee" capped at 25% of your damages by regulation.
Key point: Since 2019, all regulated firms must display pricing information for certain services online. Check a firm's website before you call — it saves time and helps you compare.
How Do You Choose the Right Solicitor?
Choosing a solicitor involves more than picking the nearest firm. Follow these five steps to find someone who fits your case and your budget.
- Verify regulation. Every practising solicitor must appear on the SRA register. Search by name or firm. Any solicitor not on the register is not authorised to provide reserved legal services.
- Check specialism. A general-practice solicitor can draft a will, but a complex commercial dispute requires a specialist. Look for Law Society accreditation panels — for example, the Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS) or the Family Law accreditation panel.
- Compare at least three quotes. Fixed-fee services make comparison straightforward. For hourly-rate matters, ask each firm for a written costs estimate and likely total. The Legal Ombudsman recommends getting a "costs information" letter before instructing.
- Read reviews, but read them carefully. Google reviews and Trustpilot provide useful signals, though individual case outcomes vary. Look for patterns — repeated praise for communication or repeated complaints about hidden costs.
- Ask about communication. Will you have a named contact? How quickly do they respond to emails? The number-one complaint to the Legal Ombudsman is poor communication, not poor legal advice [Legal Ombudsman Annual Report, 2023/24].
Our broader guide to finding a lawyer in the UK covers these steps in more depth.
What Should You Expect at Your First Meeting?
A first consultation with a solicitor typically lasts 30 to 60 minutes. Many firms offer an initial meeting free of charge or at a reduced fixed fee — always confirm beforehand.
Before the meeting
Prepare a brief written summary of your situation and gather relevant documents: contracts, correspondence, court papers, or identification. Organised clients get more value from the first session because the solicitor spends less time on fact-finding and more on advice.
During the meeting
The solicitor will ask targeted questions about your circumstances, explain the legal options available, and outline likely timescales and costs. Use this meeting to assess whether you feel comfortable working with them. Trust your judgement: if something feels unclear, ask for clarification.
"A good solicitor will tell you the strength and the weakness of your position at the first meeting. If they only tell you what you want to hear, consider looking elsewhere." — Sarah Mitchell, partner at a Midlands-based family law firm with 18 years' experience.
After the meeting
You should receive a formal client-care letter setting out the scope of work, the fee basis, complaint procedures, and your right to a cooling-off period. The SRA requires this letter before substantive work begins. Read it before signing.
When Can You Handle a Legal Matter Without a Solicitor?
Not every legal situation requires professional help. Knowing when to act alone — and when to seek advice — saves both time and money.
You can often manage alone:
- Small claims up to £10,000 through the County Court online portal, which is designed for unrepresented claimants.
- Simple, uncontested divorces using the government's online divorce service (court fee: £593 as of 2025).
- Basic wills using a reputable template service, though any complexity (property abroad, blended families, trusts) warrants professional drafting.
You should instruct a solicitor when:
- The other side has legal representation — the imbalance in knowledge puts you at a real disadvantage.
- The matter involves significant financial value, child custody, or criminal charges.
- Strict deadlines apply, such as the three-month minus one day limit for employment tribunal claims or the three-year limitation for personal injury.
If you are unsure whether your situation needs a solicitor, many lawyers on Expert Zoom offer quick initial assessments that can clarify the question without committing you to a full retainer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a solicitor the same as a lawyer? In the UK, "lawyer" is an informal umbrella term. A solicitor is a specific type of lawyer, regulated by the SRA, who has completed a qualifying law degree (or equivalent), the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE), and two years of qualifying work experience.
Can a solicitor represent you in court? Yes. Solicitors have rights of audience in magistrates' courts and county courts. For Crown Court, High Court, or appellate cases, solicitors can obtain higher rights of audience, though many instruct a barrister for complex advocacy.
How long does it take to become a solicitor? The standard route takes six to seven years: a three-year law degree, the SQE assessments, and two years of qualifying work experience. Career changers can complete a law conversion course (the SQE preparation) in one to two years before starting qualifying work experience.
What happens if you are unhappy with your solicitor? Raise the concern with the firm's complaints partner first. If unresolved within eight weeks, you can escalate to the Legal Ombudsman, which handles service complaints free of charge. For misconduct, report directly to the SRA.
Do solicitors offer payment plans? Many firms offer staged billing or monthly payment arrangements, particularly for family and private-client work. Discuss payment options at your first meeting — it is a standard question and no reputable firm will take offence.
Disclaimer: The information on this page is provided for general guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws and regulations may change. Consult a qualified solicitor for advice on your specific situation.
