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Lawyer Vs Solicitor

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Lawyer Vs SolicitorIf you’re wondering what is the difference between lawyer vs solicitor, you’re not alone.

Both terms may be used interchangeably, and it can leave you wondering why you might see someone referred to as a lawyer and someone else as a solicitor…

And when you’re looking for expert legal advice, you’re probably looking for more answers than questions, and any uncertainty isn’t ideal.

To be connected to a legal expert near to where you live, please either call us now on 0845 1391399 or complete a Free Online Enquiry.

The Difference Between A Lawyer And A Solicitor

To put it simply, a lawyer and a solicitor mean essentially the same thing.

The term lawyer refers to any person that is licensed and can provide legal advice to an individual, organisation, or business. In essence, the word lawyer is an overarching term used to describe any licensed legal professional.

Lawyers can give legal advice and represent clients in court, which means that solicitors and barristers are lawyers too.

Yep, a solicitor is also a lawyer.

Why the need for two terms, I hear you ask?

Well, a solicitor and barrister have two clearly defined roles, and yet both may be referred to as a lawyer, so the specificity of the term solicitor makes it clearer as to their role.

A solicitor is an individual that may provide legal support as well as acting on key legal matters such as divorce law, property law, business law, and criminal law.

Solicitors tend to deal with the case in the longer term, which means handling paperwork, communications, and ensuring everything is accurate in terms of the information and the dispensation of legal advice.

While solicitors CAN represent their client in court, they rarely do and they’re more likely to seek out a barrister for this portion of any legal matter.

Should I Look For A Lawyer Or Solicitor?

If you’ve got a legal issue, whether that’s moving house, getting a divorce, drafting a will, or anything else, then you might be wondering whether you should be looking for a lawyer or solicitor…

Well, either will do.
The term is used so interchangeably today that the first step should be to speak to a legal expert, whether that’s a lawyer or solicitor, to discuss your legal matter.

They’ll be able to advise on what your next steps should be, and you can go from there.

There’s a variety of reasons why you might need legal advice, and you’ll find lawyers and solicitors that handle LOADS of different aspects of law, including:

  • Employment law
  • Divorce Law
  • Family Law
  • Property Law
  • Commercial Law
  • Criminal Law
  • Mergers and Acquisitions
  • Landlord and Tenant Law
  • Wills, Probate, and Lasting Powers of Attorney
  • Intellectual Property Law

In a lot of cases, you might be unsure what your legal rights are, how you should proceed, or whether you’ve got a case or not.

Seeking the advice of a lawyer or solicitor will help shape your case and sit in you in good stead moving forwards, whatever your legal matter.

We realise how stressful it can be when you’ve got a legal matter, even if it’s just moving house…

Which is why we want to take the stress of finding a reliable, expert solicitor away from you.

Finding A Solicitor Or Lawyer Near Me

At Solicitors Near Me, we connect you with legal experts near you for FREE.

You’re under no obligation to proceed with the lawyer or solicitor we connect you with, and the service really won’t cost you a penny.

So, whatever your legal matter, to connect with a legal expert near you, click the link below…

To be connected to a specialist legal expert near to where you live, please either call us now on 0845 1391399 or complete a Free Online Enquiry.

 

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Independent Legal Advice Near Me

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Independent Legal Advice Near MeIf you’re looking for independent legal advice near you, then you’re in the right place.

Simply put, Independent Legal Advice (ILA) means impartial advice that’s provided by a qualified solicitor to you without ANY conflict of interest.

There are plenty of reasons why you might need ILA and finding an expert who can act in your best interest is vital.

To be connected to a specialist solicitor near to where you live, please either call us now on 0845 1391399 or complete a Free Online Enquiry.

Independent Legal Advice Solicitor Near Me

If you’re looking for an ILA solicitor, it’s most likely because you need to obtain independent legal advice as part of a transaction.

Some specific examples include:

  • Personal Guarantees – This could be for a loan, extending a commercial overdraft, guaranteeing the mortgage of a loved one, or purchasing a property through a company
  • Providing Security – When you own property or land and a tenant is offering this as security to a lender
  • Face to Face Advice – Solicitors who are acting on your behalf for a property purchase that requires a mortgage may be too far away to offer face to face advice, which will mean you need to find someone local to you to meet in person
  • Occupier’s Consent Forms – This is where you occupy a property but are not a party to the mortgage documents

There are other examples, but the point is that these are transactions that involve significant sums of money, which is why it makes sense to have independent legal advice to ensure that everything is A-Okay.

Why Might I Need Independent Legal Advice?

Think of it as a second opinion.

When something’s really important or will have a significant impact if something goes wrong, it’s well worth getting the opinion of an independent expert.

If you’ve ever taken the time to read through an extensive legal document, you probably know what I mean.

The powers in a commercial agreement, mortgage contract, or the terms in a loan are convoluted and if you don’t fully understand the consequences, it can leave you in a vulnerable position.
There’s a reason why lenders require you to seek ILA before taking on a loan, mortgage, or commercial agreement…

Because things can be confusing, and given the sums of money involved, it’s essential that you have a full understanding of the obligations, risks, and terms involved.

It might even be that there’s something in there that you’re not quite sure about, and there might be a better deal available with another lender, or you might even rethink the whole thing after taking independent legal advice from a solicitor.

How Do I Find An Independent Legal Advice Solicitor?

Quite simply, we’ll help you with that bit!

We’ll connect you with Independent Legal Advice Solicitors Near You for FREE…

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We won’t charge you a penny to connect with expert ILA solicitors near you, and you’re under NO obligation to proceed with them either.

Once you’ve found a solicitor who’s not acting on your behalf and you’re happy with them, you can book an appointment.

After that, they’ll ask for all the relevant paperwork before you meet, where you’ll review the transaction documents. This is your chance to ask any questions and ensure you fully understand the terms, conditions, and ramifications associated with the agreement/documents.

Once you’re happy with everything, the ILA solicitor will witness your signature (as long as you’re happy to sign the documentation at this point) and they’ll complete their legal documents.

You’ll be sent a summary letter following the meeting, and they can send over all of the completed paperwork to the lender or solicitor who’s handling the transaction for you.

To be connected to a specialist solicitor near to where you live, please either call us now on 0845 1391399 or complete a Free Online Enquiry.

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Statutory Declaration Solicitor Near Me

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Statutory Declaration Solicitor Near MeFinding a Statutory Declaration Solicitor Near you can be difficult – and it can be hard to know where to start.

A statutory declaration is a formal statement to confirm that something is true to the best of the knowledge of the person making the declaration.

It MUST be signed in the presence of a solicitor or notary public, and it’s used to meet a legal requirement where no other evidence is available.

To be connected to a specialist solicitor near to where you live, please either call us now on 0845 1391399 or complete a Free Online Enquiry.

Why Might I Need A Statutory Declaration Solicitor?

A statutory declaration might be needed for a variety of reasons, and crucially it needs to be completely truthful and accurate, which is why a solicitor (or notary public) is required to ensure it’s valid by being impartial.

A statutory declaration may be used in situations such as:

  • A declaration of nationality, identity, or marital status in the absence of documentation
  • Authenticating a statement by company directors declaring solvency in voluntary liquidation
  • When people wish to change their name so they can use it on official documentation such as a driving licence, passport, and birth certificate of a child
  • Confirming the status of goods for exporting or importing
  • Declarations in relation to a patent application

Statutory declarations are governed by the Statutory Declarations Act 1835, but they differ from other legal documents that affirm statements or declarations, such as affidavits.

Statutory declarations may occasionally be referred to as affidavits, but the difference is that an affidavit is a written and sworn statement of facts, while statutory declarations are NOT sworn under oath.

It was initially introduced due to people objecting to taking oaths because of religious reasons, which means that statutory declarations can be made without having to swear under oath.

Plus, affidavits tend to be used in a court setting more often than statutory declarations.

How Do I Ensure A Statutory Declaration Is Conducted Correctly?

The information in a statutory declaration MUST be truthful and accurate – that’s the most important stipulation.

But it needs to be signed by an appropriate person, such as a solicitor, and it’s worth noting that they are not required to verify the accuracy or truth of the declaration…

Their role is to certify that it has been completed of their own free will and to explain clearly that they must tell the truth in the declaration.

However, if you’re found to have made a statement that you knew to be false at the time of writing, you could be subject to the Perjury Act 1911, which carries a maximum penalty of 2 years in prison.

The impartiality of the solicitor you use is also crucial to the validity of the statutory declaration.

This means you can’t use a solicitor that’s acting for you in any other legal matter relating to the declaration, and they can have no involvement in the statutory declaration until they witness it (i.e. they can’t draft or create the document).

The witness also can’t be related to or known by you – to avoid a potential lack of impartiality.

Finding A Statutory Declaration Solicitor Near Me

We’ll connect you with a statutory declaration solicitor near you for FREE.

You’re under no obligation to proceed with the solicitor we connect you with, and the service is completely free…

To be connected to a specialist solicitor near to where you live, please either call us now on 0845 1391399 or complete a Free Online Enquiry.

 

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Property Solicitor Near Me

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Property Solicitor Near MeIf you’re searching for ‘property solicitors near me’, then you’re most likely either thinking about or have already begun the process of moving home.

And let’s be honest, there are few more stressful things than moving house. It’s not a decision you make on a whim.

But whatever the reason you’re buying, selling, or both, making sure you’ve got the absolute BEST property solicitor for your needs is a must.

But knowing where to start… is a different matter altogether.

To be connected to a specialist property solicitor near to where you live, please either call us now on 0845 1391399 or complete a Free Online Enquiry.

Property Solicitors – Where Do I Begin?

If you’ve bought or sold property before, you’re probably aware that it can be pretty tedious…

Because as soon as you’ve found the perfect property, you want to be there NOW.

But the length of time it’ll take depends on a whole load of factors, including:

  • How long the chain is
  • Whether the searches find anything that requires discussion or action
  • If the lender is happy with the valuation, property, and circumstances

In theory, the entire process of buying or selling a property can take 4-6 weeks from start to finish.

But the reality is that that rarely happens, and when it comes to a purchase as big as this, it’s worth taking your time and ensuring everything’s hunky-dory.

It’s prudent to seek out legal advice as early as possible since this will speed up the process and your property solicitor can get things underway from the outset.

If you’re planning to buy with a mortgage, then it will be a requirement of the lender for you to appoint a conveyancer/property solicitor.

They will be acting for both the mortgage AND you, but you’ll be the one required to pay the legal fees.

Those fees will depend on the value of the transaction, and they’ll vary from firm to firm.

It’s worth noting that it’s not just legal fees that you’ll need to be aware of, there are also land registry charges, mortgage arrangement fees, valuation fees, search fees, and other costs.

Commercial Property Solicitors Near Me

Commercial property law relates specifically to commercial premises that businesses own or rent.

That could be the purchase or sale of commercial property, contractual issues, transactional issues, and legalities relating to the property.

Commercial property is regularly bought and sold by retailers, investors, developers, local authorities, governments, and public sector organisations. They always require a commercial property solicitor.

Contract disputes are common in the sector between landlords and tenants, particularly where new developments occur. There’s always a demand for commercial property solicitors.

Examples of the types of issues they’ll cover include:

  • The purchase, sale, and leasing of land or property
  • Property finance and investment
  • Property litigation
  • Mergers and acquisitions
  • Regeneration projects
  • Landlord and tenant disputes
  • Leasehold management
  • Development, planning, and infrastructure projects
  • Drafting, renewing, and negotiation of contracts

If you’re considering purchasing commercial property, it’s wise to seek legal advice from a commercial property solicitor as soon as possible. It can be a complex process.

It’s important that you find a solicitor you’re happy with since you’ll be relying on their professionalism and legal expertise.

Finding A Property Solicitor Near Me

If you’re looking for an expert property solicitor near you, then we’ve got you covered…

To be connected to a specialist property solicitor near to where you live, please either call us now on 0845 1391399 or complete a Free Online Enquiry.

 

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Read more about Conveyancing Solicitors Near Me.

Divorce Lawyers Near Me

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Divorce Lawyers Near MeDivorce Lawyers Near Me

Divorce can be an extremely challenging period in anyone’s life, and if you’re heading over to your search engine and typing in ‘lawyer for divorce near me’, then you might be feeling daunted at the process.

Each case is different, depending on your personal circumstances, whether you have children together, whether you own a house together, and what assets you share.

To be connected to a specialist Divorce Lawyers near to where you live, please either call us now on 0845 1391399 or complete a Free Online Enquiry ».

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So, Where Do You Begin?

First things first – it’s a common misconception that divorces take years…

Sure, some do – but it depends on the circumstances.

Let’s start simply – if both parties in a divorce agree on it and the reasons why then legally finalising the divorce should take 4-6 months.

If there are issues around money, property, and childcare arrangements, then this will probably take a bit longer…

But the average divorce in the UK takes around 1 year to be finalised.

What Does Getting A Divorce Mean?

Simply put, the divorce process ends your marriage.

You can only get a divorce if you’ve been married for at least a year. If you or your partner don’t agree to a divorce then it’ll take a whole lot more time and cost a whole lot more money than if you both agree…

Divorce Law In England & Wales

You should always try to agree on your reason for divorce with your partner – it’ll make things A LOT easier.

There are 5 facts when it comes to grounds for divorce to illustrate the breakdown of your marriage, which are:

  • Adultery
  • Unreasonable behaviour
  • Desertion
  • You’ve lived apart for 2 years and both agree to divorce
  • You’ve lived apart for 5 years, and your partner doesn’t agree to a divorce

If the factor you’re relying on for your grounds for divorce is the fact that you and your partner have been separated for 2 years, then you’ll need their consent to divorce.

If not, then you can’t rely on this as grounds for divorce.

If your former partner disagrees with the divorce, sometimes known as a defended divorce, or you fail to agree on who’ll pay the divorce fee and associated costs, you might need legal advice or need to go to court.

If you’re relying on 5 years separation without the permission of your partner, then it’s unlikely to require a court. But, you should get legal advice.

What Are The Main Stages Of The Divorce Process?

We know the process of divorce can seem pretty daunting at first, so here’s a step-by-step list of how it works – to make things easier:

  1. File a divorce petition
  2. Acknowledgement of service – This confirms your spouse has received the divorce papers, they’re happy with the grounds for divorce, and whether they agree to or wish to contest the divorce
  3. Application for Decree Nisi – This states the court can’t see a reason why you cannot obtain a divorce
  4. Application for Decree Absolute – If the judge accepts your reasons for divorce, then 6 weeks and 1 day later, you can apply for Decree Absolute (the final decree) and legally finalise your divorce.

Sorting out financial issues can be a sticking point in divorce, and depending on your circumstances, then could be a significant point of contention.

If you’ve agreed to divide any assets, then you’ll need to obtain a financial court order by having a solicitor draw up a consent order to document the divorce settlement you’ve come to.

Finding A Fixed Fee Divorce Lawyer Near Me

Whatever your need, there’s a divorce solicitor near you that can assist with your divorce proceedings…

Get Connected With Divorce Lawyers Near Me Now!

Find A Solicitor

To be connected to a specialist solicitor near to where you live, please either call us now on 0845 1391399 or complete a Free Online Enquiry ».

 

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