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Are there any Solicitors at accounting the web as well? We are always asked by our clients if we have a Solicitor to work with us. I only come across with big law firms. We need a smaller firm who could help our clients. Any recommendations?

 

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By Maslins
30th Aug 2017 09:16

I believe it's at least partly due to solicitor PII costs being massively higher than for accountants, but you don't really get "one man band" law firms.

Legal work has seemingly divided into two:
1) largely automated stuff that can be done cheaply (eg letters chasing debts, and to some extent conveyancing)
2) bespoke legal advice, which drifts ever upwards in price so it's for the big boys only.

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By Justin Bryant
30th Aug 2017 09:52

That's garbage. I'm a solicitor not at a large firm and I can help and there are many solicitors like me out there and they are generally better and cheaper than those at large firms. www.ated.co.uk

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By mrme89
30th Aug 2017 10:22

Cheap is such an ugly word. I prefer the word 'competitive'.

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By Mr_awol
30th Aug 2017 10:25

I think you're a bit mistaken there - I know of several small (one/two principle) firms and act for a one man band myself - one lawyer and one assistant.

Rather than PII costs it's probably more to do with them not wanting to do their own donkey work so spreading the cost of support staff between three or more partners makes sense.

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By jon_griffey
30th Aug 2017 10:16

When asked about solicitors it is normally a case of negative recommendation. i.e. 'don't use the firm I used'. :-)

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By User deleted
30th Aug 2017 10:22

There are some very good, small, friendly local firms of Solicitors out there.
Personally, I think it's a much better prospect to try and foster these relationships in ones own locality.
An internet forum, along the lines of Aweb (other internet forums are available of course) isn't really somewhere I'd recommend for legal advisers, even with the best will in the world.
I also try and involve (some) of my client's in these recommendations. It all keeps the wheels turning.

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By Mr_awol
30th Aug 2017 10:26

Chris Mann wrote:

(other internet forums are available of course)

Unfortunately not it seems - which is why we are all still here despite the catastrophe which was last year's 'upgrade'

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paddle steamer
By DJKL
30th Aug 2017 10:36

I suspect it depends where in the country one is,.

I have a long standing friend who is a one person firm (no staff). He is a bit like a farmer, always really busy/working late etc but also always moaning about not earning very much. (Have never logically been able to square the two statements) He has done some work for us but we are selective what we send to him.

Alternatively one of my father's former partners practices as a sole practitioner, though he , at least, has a few staff, again, have to chose with an eye on strengths what to remit.

My niece is a solicitor with a slightly larger Edinburgh firm. I think there are about 20 staff in total in 4 offices; I know there are only two solicitors in the small office where she works. To date only one of my clients referred as it fitted with a practice niche the firm had.(Though suspect over time, and as she gains more experience, I may refer more work)

In my day job I do a lot of work with solicitors (property company), we do not stick to one firm for everything but tend to use different firms for different types of work- a one size fits all small firm is tricky to find and sticking with a large firm has one bounced around departments with no personal connection to the party in corporate/banking/employment etc.

I know it will take more time to develop, but collecting a raft of firms, and using them over time will build you a trusted network with niche strengths. And remember to follow the individuals not the firms as they do move around a bit; we followed our favourite property solicitor through two firms until she decided to pack in law to mind her family.

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By SteveHa
30th Aug 2017 12:29

Sometimes, you just better call Saul.

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