Questions to ask a solicitor before instructing them

Choosing a solicitor is a decision that can affect your finances, your time and the outcome of your matter. Knowing what to ask before you instruct gives you a clearer picture of who will handle your case, what it might cost, and what you can expect at each stage. A conversation at the start can help you compare firms and avoid misunderstandings later.

Ask about the solicitor’s qualifications and experience

The person handling your matter should have the right qualifications and relevant experience. Clarifying who will be involved and their background can highlight how well your needs will be understood.

• Who will actually be working on my case? You may deal with a partner, a junior solicitor, or a paralegal. Ask if your main contact will be the person you first meet, or whether someone else will handle the day-to-day work. This gives you a realistic sense of who will be doing what.
• What qualifications do you hold? Solicitors in England and Wales must be admitted to the roll. Some may have further accreditations relevant to your matter, such as family law or conveyancing panels.
• How much experience do you have with cases like mine? Ask for examples of similar work, without expecting personal or confidential details. This helps you judge whether they regularly handle your type of matter.
• Will my case be supervised? If a junior solicitor or paralegal will do some of the work, check who will oversee it and how often your matter will be reviewed by a more senior lawyer. Good supervision arrangements are a positive sign.

On Annuvell Local, you can see the practice areas each solicitor covers and check their contact details.

Understand the basis and scope of costs

Legal costs can vary widely. Asking direct questions about how fees are charged and what is included can prevent surprises on your bill.

• How do you charge for this type of work? Solicitors may charge a fixed fee, hourly rates, or a combination. Ask what the basis will be for your matter.
• Can I have a written estimate? A written estimate sets out what is included and helps you compare firms. For some services, such as residential conveyancing and probate, solicitors in England and Wales are required to publish cost information.
• What are disbursements and which might apply? Disbursements are fees paid to third parties, such as court fees or search fees. Ask which ones might arise and whether they are included in your estimate.
• What could make the costs increase? Solicitors should be able to explain what could lead to extra charges, such as unexpected complications or additional work.
• How often will I be billed? Ask whether you’ll be billed monthly, at key stages, or only at the end. This helps you budget and avoids confusion about when payment is due.

Write down the answers and ask for them to be confirmed in your client care letter before work starts.

Clarify the steps and timescales involved

Understanding the process helps you keep track of what should happen and when. Each legal matter has its own steps, but there are questions that apply broadly.

• What are the main steps in my matter? Ask for a simple outline of what will happen after you instruct the solicitor, including any key decisions or documents you will need to provide.
• How long do you expect my matter to take? While exact timings are rarely guaranteed, your solicitor should be able to give you an estimate based on experience with similar cases.
• What do I need to do or provide? Clarify whether you need to gather documents, provide identification, or give instructions at certain points.
• How will I be updated? Check whether updates will come by email, phone, or in writing, and how often you can expect to hear from your solicitor.

If your matter is urgent, or if there are likely to be delays (for example, in court proceedings or when dealing with third parties), ask how these will be handled and communicated.

Ask about the firm’s regulation, insurance and procedures

Regulation and clear internal procedures protect you if something goes wrong. Make sure you know your rights and what documents you should receive.

• Are you regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA)? Most firms in England and Wales are SRA-regulated. If your matter is in Scotland or Northern Ireland, ask which regulator applies.
• Do you have professional indemnity insurance? All regulated firms must have this insurance, which covers you if there is a serious mistake.
• What is your complaints procedure? If you are unhappy with the service, you should be told how to complain and how your complaint will be handled.
• Will I receive a client care letter? Regulated firms must provide this at the start of your matter. It should set out the work to be done, the basis of costs, and the complaints procedure. If you are not offered one, ask why.

You can read more about practice areas and what solicitors do in Understanding solicitors' practice areas.

Conveyancing-specific questions to ask

Buying or selling property has its own processes and risks. If you are instructing a solicitor for conveyancing, add these questions:

• Are you on the panel for my mortgage lender? Some lenders require solicitors to be on their approved panel. If your solicitor is not, it could delay your transaction or add costs.
• What searches do you recommend, and are these included in your estimate? Searches can reveal issues with the property or land. Ask what is included and whether further searches might be needed.
• How will you keep me updated on progress? Property transactions often move quickly. Ask about update frequency and whether you will have a single point of contact.
• What happens if the sale or purchase falls through? Ask whether any of your costs are refundable or whether you will be billed for all work done to date.

Price transparency rules require cost information for residential conveyancing to be published, so you can compare what is included before you commit.

Family law: what to ask before instructing

Family matters, such as divorce or child arrangements, often involve sensitive issues and ongoing decisions. Consider these questions:

• What experience do you have with cases like mine? Family law can cover divorce, financial settlements, and arrangements for children. Ask whether the solicitor has specific experience with your situation.
• Will you work to resolve matters out of court if possible? Many family solicitors aim to settle disputes by agreement, but you should know what approach the solicitor recommends and how they will support you.
• How will you support me through the process? Ask about communication, support, and what to expect if matters become contested.
• Are there likely to be extra costs if my case becomes more complicated? Family matters can sometimes take unexpected turns; ask what might lead to higher costs and how you will be informed.

You can compare solicitors who list family law as a practice area on Annuvell Local and request quotes to see how approaches and costs differ.

Comparing firms and using Annuvell Local

Once you have a shortlist, comparing the facts side by side makes it easier to make a decision. On Annuvell Local, you can:

• See which solicitors cover the practice area you need, with checked contact details.
• Use the compare tool to view multiple firms’ practice areas and contact options together. Each fact is labelled so you know where the information comes from.
• Request quotes from up to four solicitors with your description of the matter, which helps you compare responses and costs without repeating yourself.

You can also check whether a solicitor has a Verified badge, which means their ownership has been checked. This is not a sign of quality, but it does confirm the business is claimed and active on the platform. A flagged website or unverified phone number can prompt useful follow-up questions.

Next steps

Write down your main questions for each solicitor you are considering. Use Annuvell Local to find solicitors near you, compare their published information, and send quote requests to those who match your needs. Make sure you receive clear answers and a client care letter before you instruct.

If you are choosing between several types of legal work, you may find How to choose a solicitor helpful as well.