How to get legal advice and assistance

Trying to find a solicitor can be a daunting task particularly if you have never dealt with one before. 

The Law Society is the representative body for solicitors in England and Wales. Their website www.lawsociety.org.uk has a database of solicitors who are currently registered as practising solicitors.

One way of finding our whether a solicitor has the right skills in a specialist area may be to see whether they are a member of one of the Law Society’s accreditation schemes.

There are 12 accreditation schemes in total including:

  • Mental Health Review Tribunal
  • Clinical Negligence
  • Personal Injury
  • Family Law
  • Immigration and Asylum

Further information about the accreditation schemes can be found on the Law Society website www.lawsociety.org.uk

Will I have to pay for a solicitor? 

You may be eligible for free legal help under the Legal Aid scheme. This will be dependent on the type of legal problem that you have, your financial circumstances and the strength of your case. If you are not eligible for legal aid and you wanted to continue with your case, you would need to pay for the legal services privately or explore other funding options.

Rethink Advice and Information Service

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For more information please see our How To Get Legal Advice And Assistance Factsheet

You could also speak to the Rethink Advice and Information Service who provide specialised guidance on a number of mental health issues. They are contactable on 0300 5000 927 or via email on advice@rethink.org.