Questions to ask a solicitor before you hire them

Solicitors are rarely chosen on price alone, and they should not be. But most people go into a first meeting with no real framework for evaluating the firm beyond how the receptionist answers the phone. A short list of direct questions will tell you far more than any brochure.

For commercial and business legal work

• How many businesses of similar size and sector do you currently advise?
• Which partner or solicitor will lead on my matter, and what is their specific experience in this area?
• Do you have experience with [specific issue: shareholder disputes, commercial leases, employment tribunals]?
• Can you give me an example of a similar matter and the outcome you achieved?
• What is your typical response time for non-urgent queries, and how do I escalate if something needs fast attention?

For conveyancing and property work

Conveyancing is a volume business for many firms, which is part of the problem. The question is whether your matter gets a named solicitor who knows the file, or whether it moves between paralegals and is only reviewed by a qualified lawyer at signing.

• Who specifically handles my transaction, and will I deal directly with them?
• How many transactions does your conveyancing team process each month?
• What is your average time from instruction to exchange on a straightforward residential purchase?
• Do you use a case management portal, and will I be able to see progress without chasing?
• What happens if there is a problem with the title that delays exchange?

For wills, trusts, and probate

• Are you a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP)?
• How do you handle estates with property in multiple jurisdictions, or where beneficiaries live abroad?
• What is your average time to complete a standard probate matter?
• Do you offer Lasting Power of Attorney preparation alongside will drafting, and what does that add?

Fees: what to ask and what to watch for

• Is your fee fixed or hourly? If hourly, what is the charging rate and what is the estimated total?
• What will trigger additional charges outside the quoted scope?
• Are disbursements (searches, Land Registry, court fees) included or billed separately?
• Do you offer a no-win no-fee arrangement for this type of claim?

One question that tells you a lot

Ask them what outcome you should realistically expect. Not what is theoretically possible, but what they have seen in comparable matters. A solicitor who gives you an honest, calibrated answer is one who will manage your expectations well throughout. One who promises the best case scenario in the first meeting will disappoint you somewhere down the line.