Chambers & Partners and The Legal 500

[angstman]

I am quite likely to change my solicitor, if it become s necessary - which I hope it won't. My current solicitor is based near to my address, but my court appearance will be in another geographical area completely. I have currently chosen my potential solicitor from Chambers and Partners.

I'm not sure whether this is good idea or not. Interested to get any feedback on the use of both Chambers and Partners and The Legal 500.

for those that are not aware of these publications, they basically list peer elected law firms, in various rankings. Certainly useful to look at...

http://www.chambersandpartners.com/

http://www.legal500.com/

As an addendum to this, something that I've discovered along the way: Choosing a solicitor is a bit like buying double glazing - you have to be very, very careful - they're all trying to flog you a product. A solicitor is only earning when they're working. The result of this two-fold: 1) They will promise you the Earth in trying to sell you their product. 2) They generally want cash up front. That's not unreasonable, but a good solicitor will provide you with a regular itemised invoice, so you can see where your money has gone. At £35.00 an email, it doesn't take long to go either.

The second thing I've learned is that SO's are now one of, if the most commonly reported crimes, occupying most of the police's time. In other words, it's a growth industry. Surprise, suddenly every solicitor you look at, will now advertise 'Sexual Offences' as one of their specialities. Be careful, because even good solicitors are doing this. My current solicitor, is a very experienced criminal defence lawyer, working for a large firm that is almost a household name. I like her, but I've realised she doesn't really have much experience in this area of crime. I've also been in contact with another very reputable, well established company and spoken to the top man. He contacted me a few weeks later and I distinctly got the impression that he was trying to get my 'business', in order to broaden the firm's portfolio and experience.

I don't know what the solution to this is, but quite definitely 'Buyer Beware'...

[Rights Fighter]

I understand that solicitors pay to be included in Chambers and Partners, from what I have been told.

If you are charged, please do not be swayed by lists and self-praising websites. There are several tried and tested solicitors listed here and elsewhere.

Unless I have misunderstood, you've said you have paid out quite a bit so far. If you are still looking, this seems to suggest that you are not 100% confident in them.

If you check out many of the other threads, you should see that many people have been either NFA'd or found NG using LA sols. If you are not eligible for LA, should there be a charge, I am sure that a suitable solicitor can be recommended in the area any trial might be.

[angstman]

Well I have spoken to the chap that you recommend on your tag-line and he definitely seems to know his stuff and I am very tempted to go with him. My problem is that Southport is a fair old hike from where I live and still a considerable distance from where I would be tried. I don't want to disclose that location on-line.

However I would add that my understanding of both Chambers and The Legal 500, is that the firms are peer elected, based on other professional's verdicts. Both the companies and the individuals are ranked, not something that would occur if it was simply a pay-to-advertise kind of thing. I'll do some more research on this however...

[angstman]

Unless I have misunderstood, you've said you have paid out quite a bit so far

Yes. Initially a 'Boutique' company, took over £3.5k off me. I was in a state of shock and just handed over the money. I realised that they were doing very little and changed solicitors. They cut up rough about this, refused to provide me with an itemised bill and gave me no refund despite the fact that they'd done virtually nothing. I won't mention their name on-line, but you may well be aware of them. My advice is 'avoid'.

My current solicitor does provide itemised billing and I have no doubts at all about their integrity and good intentions. They are expensive, e-mails and communications have cost me nearly £5k to date, but they have served me very well. However, aside from their location, I have misgivings about their experience and aptitude in this line of defence work.

[angstman]

I would add that, that money was the last of my retirement lump-sum - i'm not a particularly wealthy man, but doubt that I would qualify for legal aid...

[TBG1]

There are dozens of threads where the advice "no point in instructing sol until charged" is the norm. Indeed, two that I have approached (incl. Chris Saltrese) have advised this too.

So I find it shocking that you've paid out nearly £5k when you have never been charged. What on earth did they do for this money?

[angstman]

Well I don't want to explain fully, for fear of being identified, but as I have mentioned elsewhere, mine is a complex case in several respects. It has dragged on for many months and my solicitor has done her best to gain a lot of information that I'm quite sure, would not have have been shared with me. Unfortunately that costs time and money.

She has an excellent reputation and has been persistent and demanding of the police in gaining updates and progress reports, in a way that I simply could not have been, even threatening to make a formal complaint on one occasion. That continues to be the case, I would still be sitting here in the dark otherwise.

Personally. whilst I appreciate the comments re not worth employing a solicitor until charged, my view is that all communications between the accused and the police are best handled by an experienced solicitor, however I think it probably depends on the nature of the individual case.

As a statement that may not be appreciated by some, I also suspect that the name of her firm has held some sway in gaining some information from a large metropolitan police force. It's a very difficult call in knowing who to employ but in my opinion, large well known law firms undoubtedly do hold some benefits.

[Rights Fighter]

Unless I have misunderstood, you've said you have paid out quite a bit so far

Yes. Initially a 'Boutique' company, took over £3.5k off me.

Please no. Not FA'd.co.uk the man behind it being SC. Not another one.

[angstman]

Associated 'legal' team...

[Rights Fighter]

I'll PM you so check your messages