Published by Super Solicitor | Updated June 2026
Finding the right solicitor can feel daunting, especially when you’re already dealing with a stressful situation. This guide explains everything you need to know: how the process works, what to look for, what it should cost, and how to avoid common mistakes.
What is a solicitor and do you actually need one?
A solicitor is a legally qualified professional regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) in England and Wales. They can give you formal legal advice, represent you in court, and handle legal documents on your behalf.
Not every legal problem requires a solicitor. For simple issues, a small disputes under £10,000, for example, the small claims court is designed for people to use without legal representation. But for anything involving significant money, your employment, your home, your family, or your freedom, getting proper legal advice is almost always worth it.
If you’re unsure whether you need a solicitor, that uncertainty itself is usually a signal that you should at least speak to one. Most offer a free initial consultation.
The seven types of solicitor you’re most likely to need
Solicitors tend to specialise. Finding one who works in the right area of law significantly improves your outcome.
Employment law solicitors handle workplace disputes: unfair dismissal, redundancy, discrimination, settlement agreements, and Employment Tribunal claims. If you’ve been dismissed or treated unfairly at work, this is who you need.
Personal injury solicitors deal with accidents and injuries caused by someone else’s negligence, road traffic accidents, slips and falls, workplace injuries, and medical negligence. The vast majority work on a no win no fee basis.
Family law solicitors handle divorce, separation, child arrangements, and financial settlements. Some specialise further in high-conflict cases or international family law.
Conveyancing solicitors manage the legal side of buying and selling property. This includes title searches, contracts, and the transfer of funds. Many offer fixed fees for standard transactions.
Criminal defence solicitors represent people who have been arrested, charged, or investigated. If you’ve been asked to attend a police interview, you are entitled to free legal advice and should request it immediately.
Immigration solicitors help with visa applications, appeals, citizenship, and deportation matters. Beware unregulated immigration advisors, only use SRA-regulated solicitors or those registered with the OISC.
Wills, probate and estates solicitors help you write a will, administer a deceased person’s estate, or challenge a will you believe is unfair.
What to look for when choosing a solicitor
SRA regulation, non-negotiable
Any solicitor practising in England and Wales must be registered with the Solicitors Regulation Authority. You can verify any firm’s registration for free at sra.org.uk. Never use anyone who can’t be verified on the SRA register.
Relevant experience
Ask specifically about experience in your type of case. “We do employment law” is different from “we specialise in unfair dismissal and regularly appear at Tribunals.” Most good solicitors will be honest about whether your case is within their core expertise.
Fee transparency
Before you instruct anyone, get clear written confirmation of how you will be charged. The main structures are:
- No win no fee (conditional fee agreement): Common for personal injury, employment, and some other claims. You pay nothing upfront; if you win, the solicitor takes an agreed percentage of your compensation. If you lose, you typically pay nothing, though always confirm this in writing.
- Fixed fee: Common for conveyancing, simple wills, and immigration applications. You agree a set price upfront.
- Hourly rate: Standard for complex matters without a clear outcome (commercial disputes, contested divorces). Make sure you understand the hourly rate and get an estimate of total hours.
Reviews and reputation
Google reviews, Trustpilot, and the Law Society’s directory all carry genuine client feedback. Look for reviews from clients with similar cases to yours, a 5-star rating from conveyancing clients doesn’t tell you much if you have a discrimination claim.
Communication style
You’ll be sharing sensitive information and relying on this person to keep you informed. Your first call or email exchange is a useful indicator: do they respond promptly? Do they explain things clearly without talking down to you?
How to find a solicitor: your options
Use a matching service
The fastest and often most reliable method. Services like Super Solicitor use AI to match your situation to a specialist in your area, taking into account the type of legal issue, your location, whether you need no win no fee, and whether the matter is urgent. The matching is instant and free to use.
The Law Society’s Find a Solicitor directory
The Law Society maintains a searchable directory of all practising solicitors in England and Wales at solicitors.lawsociety.org.uk. You can filter by location and area of law. The directory is comprehensive but doesn’t rank by quality or tell you much about each firm beyond their accreditations.
Citizens Advice
For lower-income households or simpler legal matters, Citizens Advice can signpost you to appropriate help, including legal aid if you qualify.
Legal aid
Legal aid is government-funded legal representation for those who cannot afford to pay. It is available for a narrowing range of case types, primarily criminal defence, some family matters (particularly involving domestic abuse), and immigration cases. Eligibility is means-tested. Check gov.uk/legal-aid to see if you qualify before engaging a private solicitor.
Personal recommendation
If someone you trust has used a solicitor for a similar matter, their recommendation carries real weight. But do check the SRA register regardless, even a well-meaning referral can occasionally point you to someone who has since had their licence restricted.
What happens at your first solicitor appointment
Most first meetings or calls are a free initial consultation, typically 20-30 minutes. Come prepared:
- A brief summary of the situation, written notes help you stay focused
- Relevant documents, contracts, letters, correspondence, medical records, anything that relates to your case
- A list of questions, don’t be afraid to ask about timescales, costs, and likely outcomes
In that first meeting, a good solicitor will tell you honestly whether you have a case worth pursuing, what the process looks like, and roughly what it will cost. If they can’t give you any indication of these things, that’s a warning sign.
Common mistakes to avoid
Waiting too long. Most legal claims have time limits, called limitation periods. For personal injury it’s three years from the date of injury; for employment claims at the Tribunal it’s just three months from the date of dismissal or discrimination. Acting early protects your options.
Using an unregulated advisor. For immigration and some other areas, unregulated “legal advisors” can legally operate but have no professional obligations and no client money protection. Always verify SRA registration.
Choosing on price alone. The cheapest solicitor is rarely the best value. A solicitor who charges £150/hour but resolves your matter efficiently is cheaper overall than one who charges £100/hour and runs up unnecessary costs.
Not getting the fee agreement in writing. Verbal agreements about fees cause disputes. Ask for a client care letter that confirms the scope of work and the charging structure before anything is signed.
How much does a solicitor cost in the UK?
Costs vary significantly by area of law, firm size, and location.
| Area of law | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Conveyancing (purchase, standard) | £800 to £2,000 fixed fee |
| Simple will | £150 to £400 fixed fee |
| Unfair dismissal (no win no fee) | 25 to 33% of compensation if won |
| Personal injury (no win no fee) | 25% of compensation if won |
| Divorce (uncontested) | £1,500 to £3,500 |
| Immigration (visa application) | £800 to £2,500 depending on type |
| Criminal defence (magistrates court) | £1,000 to £5,000, or legal aid if eligible |
These are broad ranges. Your specific situation, the complexity of the case, and your location all affect the final number. Always get a written estimate before you begin.
How Super Solicitor works
Super Solicitor is a free-to-use matching service. You describe your situation in plain English, no legal jargon required, and our AI analyses your case, tells you what kind of legal matter it is and how strong it appears, and matches you with a regulated solicitor who specialises in that area.
We factor in your location (to find firms near you when that matters), whether you need no win no fee, and whether the situation is urgent. You then connect with the firm directly, by WhatsApp, email, or a call back request.
There is no cost to use Super Solicitor. Every firm we list is SRA-regulated.
Find your solicitor now → supersolicitor.co.uk
Super Solicitor is a matching service, not a law firm. This guide provides general legal information and does not constitute legal advice. Always seek advice from a qualified solicitor for your specific situation.
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