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Solicitors in Romford, Havering

Finding a solicitor in Havering

If you need legal help, it is hard to know where to begin. This is a guide to finding and checking a solicitor in Havering, London, for anyone searching for solicitors in Romford or the wider borough. Three official routes can help, and none of them depends on the borough you choose.

  1. The SRA Solicitors Register lets you check whether somebody is a solicitor, where they work and whether a firm is regulated by the SRA.
  2. The Law Society Find a Solicitor service searches by name, SRA ID, location, area of practice and legal issue.
  3. The “Find a legal aid adviser or family mediator” service searches by postcode. The advisers ask about your problem and finances, so they can work out whether you can get legal aid.

Courts and tribunals for Havering

Some legal problems end up in court, so it helps to know which buildings serve this area. Romford County Court and Family Court is at 2a Oaklands Avenue, Romford RM1 4DP. It handles divorce hearings, childcare arrangements on separation, adoption, domestic abuse, bankruptcy and housing.

Romford Magistrates’ Court, formerly Havering Magistrates’ Court, is at Main Road, Romford RM1 3BH.

However, the right court depends on the type of case. The Find a Court or Tribunal service on GOV.UK shows which court handles a case. It also gives each court’s address, opening times, what it handles and contact details.

Paying for a solicitor is not the only option, so check the free routes first. Citizens Advice Havering is listed at First Floor, Romford Central Library, St Edwards Way, Romford RM1 3AR. The official website of the London Borough of Havering is havering.gov.uk, and the council has a page titled “Financial help and advice”.

There are national routes too. The GOV.UK “Check if you can get legal aid” service asks about your legal problem, income and savings. It then tells you whether to speak to someone for phone advice or how to find a legal adviser or mediator near you. A legal adviser applies for legal aid on your behalf, because you cannot apply on your own.

If you cannot get legal aid, GOV.UK points to free advice from the Law Centres Network, Citizens Advice and AdviceNow. The Law Centres Network says Law Centres help people in poverty overcome legal problems. It lists all Law Centres across the UK on one page. Our guide to free legal advice and legal aid in London explains the options further.

Common reasons to look for a solicitor

People usually look for a solicitor because a particular task has come up. Each practice area has its own page, so these are only short pointers.

  • Family law covers matters such as divorce and arrangements for children after a separation.
  • Conveyancing is the legal work involved in buying or selling a home.
  • Wills and probate covers making a will and dealing with a person’s estate after they die.
  • Employment law deals with problems between employers and the people who work for them.
  • Immigration covers applications to live, work or study in the UK.
  • Criminal defence is for people who are being investigated or charged with an offence.
  • Dispute resolution covers disagreements over money, contracts or property that need settling.
  • Personal injury covers claims after an accident or injury that someone else may have caused.

If you are thinking of going to court without a solicitor, read our guide on whether you can represent yourself in court first.

Checking that a solicitor is regulated

Regulation means an official body sets standards and can act when they are not met. Legal Choices says the SRA keeps watch over all solicitors in England and Wales and the firms they work for. It also says the SRA takes action when solicitors fall below the required standards or act dishonestly. The SRA describes its register as the definitive impartial source of information about the law firms and people it regulates. Our check-a-solicitor page shows you how to use it.

Questions to ask before you instruct a solicitor

A few plain questions can save you trouble later, because they set expectations at the start. Ask the firm how it will work out the fee and what the quote includes. Ask who will do the work, because you should know who handles your case.

Find out how often the firm will update you and by what method. Finally, ask how the firm is regulated, so you can confirm the answer on the register. Write the replies down, because a clear record helps if you later disagree about the work or the bill.

Solicitors' firms in Havering

We do not list firms on this page. To find a solicitor in Havering, search the SRA Solicitors Register or the Law Society's Find a Solicitor service.

Frequently asked questions

Which courts are there in Havering?
Romford County Court and Family Court is at 2a Oaklands Avenue, Romford RM1 4DP. It handles divorce hearings, childcare arrangements on separation, adoption, domestic abuse, bankruptcy and housing. Romford Magistrates' Court, formerly Havering Magistrates' Court, is at Main Road, Romford RM1 3BH. However, the Find a Court or Tribunal service on GOV.UK shows which court handles your case.
Where can I get free legal help in Havering?
Citizens Advice Havering is listed at First Floor, Romford Central Library, St Edwards Way, Romford RM1 3AR. However, if you cannot get legal aid, GOV.UK points to other free advice. That free advice comes from the Law Centres Network, Citizens Advice and AdviceNow. The Law Centres Network says its Law Centres help people in poverty overcome legal problems.
How do I check the regulation of a solicitor in Havering?
Start with the SRA Solicitors Register, because it lets you check whether somebody is a solicitor and where they work. It covers the solicitors and law firms the SRA regulates. You can also use the Law Society Find a Solicitor service, which searches by organisation or person, name or SRA ID, location, area of practice and legal issue. Using both gives you a fuller picture.
Do I have to use a conveyancing solicitor based in Havering?
No, you do not. HomeOwners Alliance says there is no need to use a local conveyancing solicitor these days. However, the solicitor must be able to work in the country where the property is, since Scotland has a different process. As a result, ask any firm you are considering whether it can act where your property is, and note the reply.
How do I find a legal aid adviser for my postcode in Havering?
Use the GOV.UK-linked service called Find a legal aid adviser or family mediator. It finds legal aid advisers in England and Wales by postcode, so you only need to enter yours. The advisers then ask about your problem and finances to work out whether you can get legal aid. Have your income and savings details ready, because those questions are likely.

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