At Wainwright and Cummins LLP, we get asked a lot of questions about what we do. Here are some of the top questions we get daily.
What is the difference between a solicitor and a barrister?
Solicitors commonly advise clients, prepare legal documents, manage transactions and handle legal matters from the initial enquiry onwards.
Barristers traditionally specialise in advocacy and providing specialist legal opinions.
The roles often overlap, and some solicitors have rights to represent clients in court. The legal professional involved will depend on the type of matter and the work required.
Do I need a solicitor if my problem has not gone to court?
Not necessarily, every legal issue requires a solicitor, but you can seek advice before a matter reaches court.
A solicitor may help you further understand your rights, respond to a dispute, prepare documents or explore options for resolving a problem without proceedings.
How much does it cost to instruct a solicitor?
Costs depend on the type and complexity of the work, the time involved and the firm's charging arrangements.
Visit our pricing section of the website https://www.wainwrightcummins.co.uk/site/pricing/ to download get a more accurate pricing for our Conveyancing, Wills and Probate and Motoring offences fees.
For everything else, you can ask our departments leads about our hourly fees, any likely additional expenses and how charges are calculated before deciding whether to instruct a firm.
What should I bring to my first appointment?
Where possible, bring documents relevant to your situation, such as letters, contracts, court papers, tenancy documents or correspondence with the other party.
Photo ID is essential, so you must bring either a passport or another accepted form of identification. A driving licence is also useful, along with your National Insurance number.
If you are applying for legal aid, it is also a good idea to bring copies of your bank statements and any other relevant financial documents, as legal aid is means-tested. This means your financial circumstances will be assessed to determine whether you qualify.
If you do not have everything available, you can still make an initial enquiry and ask what information is needed.
Can I contact a solicitor if I do not know which area of law I need?
Yes, absolutely. You can explain what has happened and what you are concerned about.
Sometimes different areas of law can overlap, meaning you may need a solicitor who specialises in one area and another solicitor who specialises in a different area.
By contacting us, we can help clarify which area of law your matter falls under and advise you on the most appropriate next steps.
The firm can then consider whether the matter falls within our areas of practice and explain how best to proceed.
When should I contact Wainwright & Cummins LLP?
As soon as you need us. You can contact us when you need advice about Criminal defence, Housing issues, Conveyancing, Family & Childcare law, Wills or Probate and much more.
If your matter is urgent or has a deadline, make that very clear when you call or email so the team can understand the circumstances of your enquiry.
Our emergency Criminal Defence Emergency Line is open 24 hours a day (+44) 020 7737 9339.
Get in contact today and find out how we can assist you today
