Law Society stresses importance of using professionals

The Law Society has launched a media campaign to highlight the importance of using a professional solicitor when seeking legal advice.

‘Use a Professional. Use a Solicitor’ is the tagline, and adverts will be appearing on numerous media outlets including television, railway stations and public buses.

In recent years, various unregulated advisers and do-it-yourself legal services have emerged, particularly online.

For example, anyone can set up a business providing will writing services – even if they have no qualifications and no insurance. This has led to thousands of people being overcharged, or having wills drawn up that are not legally watertight.

Solicitors, on the other hand, have to be highly qualified and must abide by a strict code imposed by the Solicitors Regulation Authority

Law Society president Andrew Caplen warned: “The growth of unregulated and do-it-yourself legal services means consumers are exposed to non-professional advice, which can be more of a hindrance than a help.

“”Our latest campaign reminds the public that highly-qualified, professionally-trained solicitors are the best people to speak to for legal advice. Using a solicitor gives you the assurance you are dealing with a professional who is properly regulated and insured.””

The campaign centres on six key aspects of law; conveyancing, personal injury, wills and probate, business law, family law and criminal law. Use a Professional. Use a Solicitor will include case studies on each of these areas provided by members of the Law Society.

Please contact Mark Pelopida if you require legal advice of any kind.