Merricks
A solicitor is a trained professional that operates within the legal profession, their services will often be acquired for numerous different legal matters. The role of solicitors vary across different legal systems, although within the UK the role is very defined. In most cases solicitors will deal with any legal matter and conduct court proceedings on the behalf of a client. In most cases a solicitor will only practice law within courts if the court is a local county court; in cases where a trial is being held at the High Court the services of a barrister must be acquired. Solicitors will also deal will civil cases that will either be held at local county courts or at Magistrates Courts. In serious cases and where the value of the case is higher than £50,000 the case will be addressed in the High Court.
In order to be a practicing solicitor within the UK an annual fee must be paid, this is to obtain a Practicing Certificate. Failure to have the certificate will mean that the solicitor will be unable to practice within courts. Law graduates that wish to become solicitors must complete further training to do so. They must enroll with the Law Society and complete a Legal Practice Course. In recent times in the UK the rolls of barristers and solicitors have become increasingly similar; in essence the role of solicitors has now extended majorly.
There are numerous common reasons why solicitors are hired and in most cases particular solicitors will specialise within a certain type of law. The most popular reasons for solicitors being hired include children law, civil & commercial mediation, clinical negligence, criminal litigation, family law, family mediation, immigration law, mental health review, personal injury, planning law and conveyance quality. When hiring a solicitor it is important to hire one that specialises in the particular area of law that is required.
Who will pay for the services of a solicitor will depend upon the kind of role that they are fulfilling. For example within a personal injury compensation claim the costs of the solicitor will usually be claimed from the company or individual that the compensation is being claimed from. In cases such as divorces or planning issues the costs of the solicitor will be paid directly by the client. Some people may never use a solicitor and some people will be in regular contact with on for many different reasons.
