You may already have heard about lawyers, attorneys, solicitors, and barristers. These may be often interchanged, but all of them have one thing in common: they are all referred to as a legal professional. If you are fond of watching legal dramas on TV, you would have mostly encountered these terms. However, there are significant differences between these said professions.
If you need legal assistance, you can turn to solicitor firms in London or any other legal firms near you. Regardless of their title, these legal professionals are here to help you with any of your legal concerns.
What solicitors do
A solicitor may not be as heard of as lawyers and attorneys. For starters, a solicitor refers to a legal practitioner and are also referred to as a lawyer. A lawyer is usually a generic term which also includes barristers and solicitors.
Solicitors carry a degree in law as well as a certificate which they will acquire after completing legal training. Once they get the certificate, they will be qualified to practice their legal profession. Solicitors offer legal advice to their clients as well as the first person to be contacted for any legal services needed. Their other responsibilities may include the following:
- Providing advice for clients in buying property, last will drafting, and other legal-related concerns
- Providing legal advice for clients in the event of the latter’s family, employer, and other disputes
- Serving as your representative for any commercial transactions and case defenses (e.g., road or work accidents)
- Filing required court documents and contacting witnesses on your behalf
- Briefing the barrister about a client’s case by providing essential information via documents and other details
Other major responsibilities
A day in the life of a solicitor may vary depending on their law area they are currently practicing. For example, a solicitor specializing in criminal law may spend more time in court than those who specialize in divorce or family law. Among other major responsibilities of a solicitor include the following.
Preparation and research
These two are crucial before doing any tasks as a solicitor. After all, no two legal cases are the same. These are also important to keep up with the latest updates within the legal industry.
Business partnerships
Solicitors are also allowed to form companies and business partnerships. Likewise, they are allowed to promote their legal services, especially if he or she is a partner in a law firm.
Legal paperwork
Solicitors also deal with legal paperwork that needs to be taken care of. You will expect lots of paperwork, especially if you are specializing in commercial law. This involves lots of drafting works to ensure that all of these contracts are well-made, detailed, and checked.
Attend court hearings
Solicitors are also responsible for getting the best deals for their clients with regards to disputes and other legal concerns. This may be more common if the solicitor specializes in commercial law.
Interaction with clients
This can be either done in person, email, or through the phone. Solicitors are responsible for enlightening clients regarding legal concerns and terms and offering sound legal advice.
These are the major responsibilities of a solicitor. They are also considered lawyers, but they specialize in one or more legal fields. They should also complete requirements and certifications to become a full-fledged solicitor.
