Not everyone offering "legal advice" online is qualified to give it, and for anything beyond a straightforward small claim — complex contracts, litigation, property transactions — hiring an unregulated advisor leaves you with no real recourse if they get it wrong. The Law Society's directory is the way to confirm you're dealing with someone actually licensed to practise.
What makes a "solicitor" different from a paid advisor
Every solicitor listed in the Law Society's directory is regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). This matters practically: regulated solicitors are required to carry professional indemnity insurance, so you have financial recourse if they make a serious error, and client money they hold is protected by the SRA Compensation Fund in cases of fraud or dishonesty. An unregulated "legal consultant" or advisor operating outside this system offers neither protection.
How to actually use the directory
- Go to solicitors.lawsociety.org.uk and search by postcode and area of law (housing, employment, commercial, family, etc.) — the directory only surfaces firms genuinely licensed for that specialism.
- Click into a firm's profile and check their SRA registration number directly — this confirms current, active licensing rather than relying on the firm's own website claims.
- Look for the Lexcel accreditation badge if it's relevant to you — it signals independently assessed quality in client care and practice management, though its absence doesn't mean a firm is unqualified.
Before you commit to a fee
Many regulated firms listed in the directory offer a free initial consultation (commonly around 30 minutes) — use this to describe your situation and specifically ask about fee structure options:
- Fixed fee: a set price for a defined piece of work, useful for straightforward matters with a clear scope
- Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA) — sometimes called "no win, no fee" — typically used for litigation with a reasonable prospect of success; ask exactly what percentage they'd take from any award and what happens if you lose
Get any fee arrangement confirmed in writing before work begins, regardless of which structure you choose.