Practice areas
- Family law and divorce Learn when you need a solicitor for a divorce, what the fees are and where free help is. Find the family courts in London and how to check a quality mark.
- Conveyancing and property Learn how conveyancing works in London, from choosing a solicitor to fees, Stamp Duty and leasehold. See which questions to ask before you instruct anyone.
- Wills and probate Learn when you may need a solicitor for a will or probate, and what each step typically costs. See which quality marks to look for in London. Read on.
- Employment law Learn which problems employment law covers and the time limits that apply. Find redundancy pay rules, settlement agreement basics and where to get free help.
- Immigration Plain guidance on immigration advice in London, from who may advise to Home Office fees. Find free help and learn how to check an adviser's regulation.
- Criminal defence Find out how free police station advice and legal aid work, and what to ask crime solicitors in London. Always check that any firm you find is regulated first.
- Dispute resolution Learn how civil claims, time limits and pre-action steps work in London. Find out how money claims, landlord and tenant rules and professional negligence work.
- Personal injury This guide explains no win, no fee agreements, referral fees and the three-year time limit for claims. It does not refer, match or sell personal injury claims.
The eight practice areas
You have a legal problem and want to know which type of solicitor deals with it. This guide to London solicitors by practice area covers eight fields. Each link below goes to a page on that field.
- Family law covers divorce and other family matters.
- Conveyancing covers property, such as buying or selling a home.
- Wills and probate covers wills and dealing with an estate.
- Employment law covers problems at work.
- Immigration covers moving to, or staying in, the UK.
- Criminal defence covers being accused of a crime.
- Dispute resolution covers disagreements that need settling.
- Personal injury is a guide only, with no firm listings.
How to choose where to start
Many legal problems do not fit neatly into one practice area, so expect some overlap. For example, a divorce can bring property questions, while a job loss can raise money questions. Therefore, start with the area that matches your main worry, then read others if relevant.
Legal Choices says solicitors can give advice on many situations, and some specialise in areas such as divorce or personal injury. GOV.UK says you may need an adviser with training in your type of problem. It also says you might solve some problems without court, for example through a mediator. Our guide to what a solicitor does explains the role in plain terms.
Fees, legal aid and free help
Money often decides what you can do, so check your options early. GOV.UK has a tool called “Check if you can get legal aid”. It asks about your problem, income and savings. It then tells you whether to phone for advice or how to find an adviser or mediator near you. A legal adviser applies for legal aid for you, 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. Our guide to free legal advice and legal aid in London gives more detail.
Prices matter too. Under the SRA Transparency Rules, firms that say they offer certain services to the public must publish their prices. These services are residential conveyancing, uncontested probate where all assets are in the UK, and summary-only motoring offences. They also include employment tribunal claims for unfair or wrongful dismissal, and immigration, excluding asylum applications.
Before you instruct a solicitor
Once you know the area, check who you are dealing with. The SRA Solicitors Register lets you look up the records of the solicitors and law firms the SRA regulates. You can also see whether somebody is a solicitor and where they work. Our check a solicitor is regulated guide walks you through each step.