Choosing the Right Family Law Solicitor UK: 10 Essential Qualities to Look For

Disputes between families can be incredibly challenging. Whether it’s divorce, finances or child arrangements, there is a lot of emotional gravity in family law, and it is essential to get the right support. If issues require legal support, finding the right solicitor to support you and help your family work towards the best possible outcome is essential. But with so many solicitors claiming to provide the support you need, it can be difficult to find the right one.

At Brown Turner Ross, we specialise in family law, and through our years of experience and our excellent service as solicitors in Merseyside, we believe we have developed a good understanding of what to look for when choosing a solicitor in Liverpool.

Why Your Choice of Family Law Solicitor Matters

Family law cases can be incredibly sensitive and emotionally driven, and ultimately, the outcome of your case can shape the lives involved, especially when children are the subject of the case. This is why choosing the right solicitor matters so much, as choosing the wrong one could result in unfair or even devastating results for those involved.

An experienced family lawyer can guide you away from unnecessary litigation, assist in finding the right solution for your family, and help you make decisions that prioritise your best interests.

At Brown Turner Ross, we passionately push for mediation in favour of litigation where possible, as we understand that in family law, it is often better to avoid the pressures of taking a case to court when trying to maintain the familial relationships of all those involved.

It’s also important to remember that family law cases are incredibly personal, and so it is essential that you work with a professional whom you feel comfortable confiding in to get the best result for yourself and your family.

How to Pick a Family Lawyer: 10 Qualities to Look For

Now you know why it is so important to pick the right family solicitor. Here are some essential qualities to look out for that will help guide you in choosing a family lawyer.

Before signing a contract with any solicitor, ensure that they can provide the following:

Specialised Experience in Family Law

To get the best results in your case, it is important that you work with someone who has specialised experience in family law. You could work with a solicitor who has a more general practice, but they will not have the same deep understanding of related laws, precedents and processes as a specialist solicitor.

If you are worried about your solicitor not having a deep understanding of your wants and needs in the case, avoid working with solicitors who spread themselves across a multitude of areas of law, as their expertise is likely more diluted than that of a solicitor who frequently works on family law matters.

Thankfully, in the age of the internet, you can often find out if a solicitor that you wish to work with specialises in family law with a quick Google, but don’t be afraid to ask them directly to get a quick answer.

Strong Track Record With Similar Cases

A good solicitor should have a record of previously worked cases. Unless they have the client’s explicit consent, the information surrounding these cases may be anonymised, but they will still help you develop an understanding of the scope of work completed by the solicitor and the results they were able to achieve.

When it comes to meeting a new solicitor, don’t ever be afraid to ask questions, ask about specific case types and ask how long they’ve worked in the family law niche, as solicitors who have worked cases in that niche for a long time tend to garner better results.

Clear, Transparent Communication

When working with any solicitor, communication is key. You want to feel that your case is a priority to them, and that can be difficult to achieve if communication is poor and you are left with unanswered questions.

Communication breakdowns can harm your case and ultimately reduce your trust in your solicitor. A good solicitor will provide you with regular updates, make sure they are not using jargon-heavy language to ensure you understand what’s happening, and outline the next steps of the case clearly and regularly.

Communication is key for achieving the best possible outcome, and if you want to learn more about a solicitor’s communication style from people who have used their service, you can always check ReviewSolicitors for more information.

Upfront Fee Structure and Cost Transparency

If you’ve ever wondered how much a family solicitor costs in the UK, the truth is that the answer is entirely dependent on the practice you choose to work with. Some of the more experienced and well-known firms may charge premium rates, whilst others are more reasonable.

No matter how much you’re willing to pay for support in your case, it is essential that the firm you work with is upfront about how you’ll be paying and how much you’ll be paying.

Firms operate on different pricing models, with some charging hourly rates and others offering fixed fees and retainers. It’s imperative that you clarify a solicitor’s pricing model before signing any contracts and ask for an initial quote.

If the initial quote doesn’t align with conversations you’ve had with them, or they continue to be very vague about their pricing, that is a telltale sign that they may not be the right solicitor for you.

Empathy and Personal Approach

Family law can be incredibly emotional, especially if the subject is child arrangements, divorce or separation, where real lives can be changed forever. Solicitors are famously able to look at a case objectively and put law and regulation before emotion, but they should be able to strike the right balance between empathy and practical legal guidance.

You have to think about yourself and what kind of response would help you feel better and supported in the circumstances, and a solicitor’s approach is something that you can often get a good understanding of during the initial consultation.

Once again, don’t be afraid to look at reviews, as you can often find client testimonials that describe the personal approach taken by the solicitor in similar cases.

Local Knowledge and Court Experience

It is always beneficial for your case if the solicitor you work with has local knowledge and court experience in your area. For example, as solicitors in Liverpool and Southport, at Brown Turner Ross, we have provided support across local courts, are familiar with the judges and also have a complex understanding of our surrounding areas and the social and economic issues faced by those around us, which may lead to the need for a solicitor.

Solicitors with local knowledge also understand regional precedents, which they can leverage to help you get the best outcome in your case. Working with a local solicitor may also make you feel more comfortable and confident, as they can relate to you as a person and have shared life experiences. Find out more about our team and how we work on our about us page.

Strong Negotiation Skills

Ideally, most family law cases should be resolved through Alternative Dispute Resolution rather than litigation. Reaching a settlement outside of court can help to avoid the stress, high costs and unpredictability of going to court.

To settle outside of court on terms you are happy with, you need a solicitor with strong negotiation skills who understands the best way to mediate disputes and help all parties reach the resolution they desire.

Don’t be afraid to ask any solicitor you are considering for details on how they approach mediation and their success rate in achieving favourable settlements.

In most family law cases, a settlement can be met, but a solicitor also needs to understand when litigation is required. For more on how the litigation process works, take a look at our civil litigation service page.

Professional Accreditations

Experienced family law solicitors should hold a Law Society Family Law Accreditation that serves as a baseline quality standard for family law practitioners. Having this accreditation proves that the solicitor you’re working with has expertise in family law, and there is even an advanced accreditation awarded to solicitors who handle complex, specialist areas of law.

Accreditations indicate whether or not a solicitor is equipped to handle your case and should be considered and requested before you make any decisions.

At Brown Turner Ross, we are proud to say that a number of our solicitors hold the Resolution Specialist Accreditation and the Law Society’s Family Law Accreditation, highlighting our commitment to a constructive, non-confrontational approach to family law that helps reduce conflict, even in the most complex cases.

Realistic and Honest Expectations

A big red flag when working with a solicitor is automatically receiving a promise of a guaranteed outcome in your favour. In most cases, until full mediation, evidence gathering, and witness testimony occur, it can be difficult to predict the outcome.

Of course, if you present a solicitor with strong evidence in your favour, they may say that they feel positive about your chances and will try their best to achieve the best outcome for you, but they should never promise a guaranteed win.

A good family law solicitor is pragmatic and will be able to lay out all of the possible outcomes of a case to you, so you are prepared for any eventualities. The best thing a solicitor can do is be realistic in their advice and provide an honest case assessment, even if the assessment doesn’t necessarily land in your favour. For an overview of what to expect from the divorce process specifically, our divorce and family law page covers everything in detail.

Compatibility and Trust

As we’ve already stated, family law cases are deeply personal and often emotional, so it is key that you work with a solicitor whom you wholeheartedly trust. You’ll be working with the same solicitor for months, so trust is essential.

It’s important to ask questions during the initial consultation which help you gauge compatibility, such as their working style, availability for contact and how they usually approach conflict.

Above all, you need to trust your gut instinct. If you leave the consultation not feeling as though they are the right solicitor for you, don’t just settle; trust your intuition and keep searching for the right solicitor for you. If you’re dealing with particularly sensitive circumstances, our guide on controlling and coercive behaviour may also be a helpful read.

How Brown Turner Ross Can Help

Through this guide, you should now have a better understanding of the accreditations and qualities that you should look for when selecting a family law solicitor. It’s important to remember that you should take your time when selecting a solicitor to work with, as the solicitor you choose has a massive impact on the outcome of your case.

At Brown Turner Ross, we are proud to say that we embody the qualities we have listed above and have a brilliant track record in supporting clients through their family law cases, helping them secure an outcome that serves them well. You can read what our clients have said about us on ReviewSolicitors.

Need guidance and support in a family law dispute? Contact the team today.