Hiring a lawyer
Resolution members are all lawyers with knowledge and experience of family law. In addition, Resolution members are committed to resolving things in a non-confrontational way.
Accredited specialists are solicitors who have passed an examination process and have demonstrated an expertise in certain areas of family law, such as divorce finances or issues relating to children. Find an accredited specialist.
If you are interested in mediation or collaborative law you need to choose members with specialist training in those fields. Find a collaborative lawyer or find a mediator.
Whoever you choose, you can ask for a short initial meeting to start with to ensure that you feel comfortable with your choice.
How do I know if my lawyer is any good?
Resolution members follow our Code of Practice, meaning they commit to resolve your problems in a non-confrontational way.
A friend, relative or professional such as an accountant might recommend a lawyer to you. The training to become a lawyer is a rigorous process involving at least four years of higher education (university and beyond) and several years “on the job training”.
In addition, there are questions you can ask which will help you get a picture of their experience:
- how long they have been qualified
- what experience they have had of your particular problem
- are they members of any specialist panels such as the Resolution accredited specialist scheme.
What will happen when I meet my lawyer?
At your first meeting, you can expect your lawyer to ask questions which will give them a clear picture of your individual circumstances. They will outline the various options like mediation, collaborative law and negotiation alongside court and based on the information you have given them will help you consider the best option for you.
What will my lawyer do?
Once you have asked a lawyer to act for you, they will give advice, handle negotiations, correspondence and any court proceedings on your behalf. To save costs, you or your lawyer may suggest steps you can take yourself. They will ensure throughout that they have consulted with you and are acting on your instructions.
You should agree whether you want letters to be sent to you at your home address or somewhere else and the best way for you both to keep in touch – through telephone calls, emails or further meetings – in order to keep costs to the minimum.
How should I prepare for meeting my solicitor?
Before your appointment, think about the advice you need. You might find it helpful to make a note of the questions you want to ask so that you don’t forget anything. Your solicitor will tell you in advance of the meeting if there is any information that is required. It will help your lawyer if you collect together any documents or information you think might be useful such as bank statements and details of mortgages.
What should I tell my solicitor?
Although it might seem obvious, you should tell your lawyer everything that is relevant to the problem. The advice he or she gives is based on the information he or she has at the time. Your discussions are completely confidential.