Choosing a solicitor is not a decision most people make often. Whether you are buying a home, dealing with a bereavement, going through a separation or facing a business dispute, the quality of legal advice you receive can make a significant difference to the outcome – and to how stressful the process feels.
With a number of firms to choose from in Oxford, here are the things worth considering before you decide who to instruct.
Relevant experience in the area of law you need
Solicitors and law firms tend to specialise. A firm with strong expertise in residential conveyancing may have limited experience in civil litigation, and vice versa. Before instructing anyone, check that the firm has genuine, demonstrable experience in the specific area of law relevant to your situation – not just a passing mention of it on their website.
Look for accreditations that signal quality in a particular area. For conveyancing, the Law Society’s Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS) is a recognised mark of good practice. For family law, membership of Resolution indicates a commitment to a non-confrontational approach to resolving disputes.
A firm you can actually talk to
Legal matters can move quickly and questions arise at inconvenient times. Before instructing a solicitor, consider how accessible they are likely to be. Will you deal directly with the same solicitor throughout, or be passed between different members of a team? How quickly do they typically respond to calls and emails?
Larger national firms often offer competitive pricing but can be difficult to reach when you need a quick answer. Smaller local firms tend to offer more direct access to the solicitor handling your case, which many clients find less stressful – particularly in personal matters such as family law or probate.
Transparent pricing
Legal costs can be a source of anxiety, particularly if you have not instructed a solicitor before. A good firm will be upfront about their fees from the outset – whether that is a fixed fee for a defined piece of work, an hourly rate, or a combination of the two.
Be cautious of firms that are vague about costs at the initial enquiry stage. You should be able to get a clear indication of likely fees before you commit to instructing anyone, and the firm should keep you updated if circumstances change and costs are likely to increase.
Local knowledge
For many legal matters – particularly property, family and business law – local knowledge genuinely matters. A solicitor based in Oxford will be familiar with the local property market, the courts, local planning considerations and the business environment in the area. That practical familiarity can be useful in ways that are difficult to quantify but make a real difference in practice.
It is also worth considering how long the firm has been established. A firm with deep roots in the local community is likely to have a track record you can assess, through reviews, word of mouth and their general reputation.
A firm whose approach suits your situation
Different legal matters call for different approaches. In family law, a solicitor committed to resolving matters constructively and without unnecessary conflict is usually preferable to one who defaults to an adversarial approach. In a commercial dispute, you may need someone willing to take a firm line on your behalf.
Think about what outcome you are trying to achieve and make sure the firm you choose has an approach that is aligned with that – not just the legal expertise, but the temperament and values to handle your matter in the way you want it handled.
Challenor Gardiner – Oxford solicitors since 1851
Challenor Gardiner is an independent Oxford law firm with over 170 years of experience advising individuals, families and businesses across the city and surrounding area. We offer expert legal advice across residential conveyancing, wills, lasting powers of attorney and probate, divorce and family law, commercial property, business law and civil litigation.
We are Lexcel accredited, members of Resolution and holders of the Law Society’s Conveyancing Quality Scheme mark. Our fees are transparent and we will always discuss costs with you before we begin work.
Call us on 01865 721451, email info@challenor-gardiner.co.uk or contact us online.