Finding a good solicitor

Where to look

Resolution

Resolution is an organisation of family law professionals committed to a constructive, non-confrontational approach to family disputes. Members follow a code of conduct that prioritises reducing conflict and considering children’s needs.

Search at: resolution.org.uk/find-a-law-professional

Choosing a Resolution member signals you want to resolve matters amicably where possible.

Law Society

The Law Society maintains a directory of all solicitors in England and Wales. You can search for family law specialists in your area.

Search at: solicitors.lawsociety.org.uk

Legal directories

Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners rank law firms and individual solicitors. Being listed indicates peer recognition, though absence doesn’t mean a firm is bad.

Personal recommendations

Ask friends, family, or colleagues who’ve been through divorce. Personal experience is valuable – but remember every case is different.

Other professionals

Your accountant, financial adviser, or GP may be able to recommend family solicitors they’ve worked with or heard good things about.

What to look for

Specialist expertise

Family law is a specialism. Look for solicitors who focus on family work, not generalists who do a bit of everything.

Indicators of expertise:

• Family law is their main or only practice area
• Resolution membership
• Law Society Family Law Accreditation
• Listed in legal directories for family work
• Years of experience in family cases

Relevant experience

Different cases need different expertise:

• High assets/complex finances: Look for experience with business valuations, pensions, high-net-worth cases
• International elements: Experience with cross-border cases
• Domestic abuse: Sensitivity and experience with protective orders
• Children disputes: Experience with child arrangements and Cafcass

Location

You don’t need a local solicitor – most communication is by email and phone – but there are advantages:

• Easier for face-to-face meetings
• Knowledge of local courts and judges
• No travel costs for hearings

Communication style

You’ll be working closely with your solicitor at a stressful time. Consider:

• Do they explain things clearly?
• Do they listen?
• Do they respond promptly?
• Do you feel comfortable with them?

Approach

Some solicitors are naturally more aggressive, others more conciliatory. Neither is inherently right – it depends on your case and your spouse. But think about what approach will work best for your situation.

Questions to ask

When contacting potential solicitors, consider asking:

About them:

• What percentage of your work is family law?
• How long have you been practising family law?
• Do you have experience with cases like mine?
• Are you a Resolution member?
• Do you have any specialist accreditations?

About your case:

• What’s your initial view of my situation?
• What approach would you recommend?
• How long might my case take?
• What are the possible outcomes?
• What might make my case more complicated?

About costs:

• How do you charge?
• What’s your hourly rate?
• Do you offer fixed-fee packages?
• Can you give me an estimate for my case?
• How often will I be billed?
• Who else might work on my case (and their rates)?

About working together:

• Who will be my main point of contact?
• How quickly do you usually respond to emails?
• How often will you update me?
• Can I set a budget limit?

Understanding costs

Hourly rates

Most solicitors charge by the hour. Rates vary hugely:

• £150-£200/hour: Smaller firms, junior solicitors, outside London
• £200-£300/hour: Mid-range firms, experienced solicitors
• £300-£500+/hour: Senior partners, large London firms, specialists

Remember: more expensive doesn’t necessarily mean better. An experienced solicitor at a regional firm may give you better value than a junior at a City firm.

Fixed fees

Many solicitors offer fixed fees for specific services:

• Divorce application: £500-£1,500
• Consent order drafting: £400-£1,500
• MIAM attendance: £115-£180

This gives cost certainty, but check what’s included and what would be charged extra.

Estimates

For more complex work, solicitors give estimates rather than fixed fees. These are their best guess, not a guarantee. Ask for the range and what might increase costs.

Additional costs

Beyond solicitor fees, you may need to pay for:

• Court fees (set by the court)
• Barristers (for hearings)
• Experts (pension actuary, property valuer, etc.)
• Disbursements (copying, postage, etc.)

Controlling costs

Ways to keep costs manageable:

• Be organised – have documents ready when asked
• Be clear about what you want – don’t keep changing your mind
• Respond promptly to requests
• Don’t contact your solicitor unnecessarily
• Use email rather than phone where possible
• Ask about costs before any significant step
• Consider unbundled services (doing some tasks yourself)
• Set a budget and ask to be warned before exceeding it

Initial consultations

Most solicitors offer an initial consultation, sometimes free or at reduced cost. Use this to:

• Explain your situation
• Get initial advice
• Assess whether they’re right for you
• Understand likely costs

Even if you pay for an initial consultation, it’s worth shopping around before committing to a solicitor.

Red flags

Be cautious if a solicitor:

• Promises specific outcomes (“I’ll get you everything”)
• Encourages you to be aggressive from the start
• Criticises your spouse unnecessarily
• Doesn’t explain costs clearly
• Doesn’t listen to what you want
• Makes you feel rushed or pressured
• Can’t explain things in plain English

Changing solicitors

If you’re unhappy with your solicitor, you can change – though it may cause delays and additional costs. Before switching:

• Raise concerns with your solicitor first
• Check what you owe and what the transfer process involves
• Ensure your new solicitor can take the case promptly

You’re entitled to your file when you leave (though some firms charge for copying).

Complaints

If you’re seriously unhappy with your solicitor’s service:

1. Complain to the firm first – they should have a complaints procedure
2. Legal Ombudsman – if the firm doesn’t resolve it (complaints within 6 months of the problem)
3. Solicitors Regulation Authority – for serious misconduct

Making your choice

Take your time deciding. A solicitor you feel comfortable with, who understands your situation and communicates clearly, is worth more than the most expensive specialist who makes you feel rushed.

Trust your instincts. If something doesn’t feel right, keep looking.