Finding a Solicitor and Legal Help

• England and Wales: check the definitive SRA Solicitors Register, then use the Law Society finder to search by legal issue, location and accessibility.
• Scotland: use the Law Society of Scotland's Find a Solicitor service.
• Northern Ireland: use the Law Society of Northern Ireland's directory.

Check both the individual and firm, their practising status, office address and relevant specialism. A polished advert or use of general legal wording does not replace an official register check.

Ask for a written client-care letter stating the work, who will handle it, timescales, how decisions will be agreed and how to complain. Tell the firm about everyone involved so it can check conflicts of interest.

Get fees, VAT and other payments such as court, expert or search fees in writing. Ask whether the price is fixed, estimated or hourly; what is excluded; and what happens if the scope or estimate changes. Legal aid, insurance, trade-union help, fixed-fee appointments or free legal services may be available depending on the case.

Legal-aid scope and financial tests differ across the UK. Use Civil Legal Advice or the official legal-aid checker for England and Wales, the Scottish Legal Aid Board in Scotland, and the Legal Services Agency Northern Ireland information for Northern Ireland.

Citizens Advice, Citizens Advice Scotland, Advice NI, law centres, university clinics and pro bono services may help with some matters. Check whether they give legal information, advice or representation and whether eligibility rules apply.

A firm may need identity and source-of-funds evidence for anti-money-laundering checks. Ask what is needed, how it will be protected and how to send it securely. Do not send unnecessary personal or financial information to an unverified address.

Explain communication needs at the start. Ask for an interpreter, accessible premises, larger print, Easy Read, relay support or another reasonable way to communicate. Confirm who may receive information or give instructions on your behalf.

Complain to the firm in writing first, following its complaints procedure. Keep the client-care letter, bills, messages, documents and a timeline. Check time limits promptly.

• England and Wales: the Legal Ombudsman considers service complaints; the SRA handles serious conduct and regulatory concerns.
• Scotland: the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission is the first contact for complaints about lawyers.
• Northern Ireland: the Solicitors Complaints Committee considers eligible client-service complaints, while the Law Society of Northern Ireland deals with professional conduct.

Our Letter Support can help organise a complaint letter.

For help with a visa, permission to stay or an immigration appeal, use the GOV.UK immigration-adviser finder. The Immigration Advice Authority (IAA), formerly OISC, regulates immigration advisers; authorised legal professionals may instead be regulated by their professional body.

Check the individual adviser and organisation, the level and type of work they can undertake, and whether they can represent you at the stage you need. Ask for written fees, any additional costs, who will handle your case and how you can complain. A charity or community organisation should also be able to explain its authorisation or exemption.

Keep copies of submissions and correspondence. Do not rely on promises of a guaranteed visa or favourable decision, and do not ignore an official deadline while looking for help.

• GOV.UK — find a registered immigration adviser

  UK immigration advice; includes the IAA adviser finder