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How to choose a solicitor

In the aftermath of any serious injury, you and your family will need to
consider legal representation.

There are codes of conduct in place that prevent solicitors approaching
you without invitation. Be wary of solicitors who do.

We would suggest that you always speak to two or three solicitor firms
before you make a decision about who will represent you. This will allow
you to consider the competency of any particular solicitor but also,
importantly, what costs your solicitor may deduct from your damages
(compensation). The costs that may be deducted can be large, potentially
six figure sums and you need to be sure that you have the best deal.

Solicitors offer different financial arrangements and it is important that you
have an opportunity to compare both competency and charging.
Your choice is critically important. The symbols allocated to each firm in
this directory indicate which firms are able to pay upfront costs
for you and which are prepared to negotiate
their costs policy so you get the maximum
amount of compensation awarded.

To assist you with making your decision, you should
consider the points below
Do you feel at ease with your solicitor? You need to be able to
communicate with your solicitor and feel that you can work with them.
You should therefore ask whether the person you meet will be the person
running your file.

You also need to be able to trust your solicitor. You need to feel
confident that they know what they are doing and that they understand
your difficulties.

Is your solicitor easily contactable? Solicitors are individuals and each
has their own unique approach to cases and clients. You should consider
how easy it will it be to get hold of your solicitor and if they will be able to
speak with you out of hours if the need arises. Are they offering you their
mobile telephone number for such emergencies?

What costs will your solicitor deduct from your damages? How does
that compare to other solicitors?

Questions you should ask before deciding who should
represent you
Does your solicitor have experience of acting for clients with a spinal
cord injury? You must ensure that the solicitor you choose has the

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