When should you engage a solicitor?
Asked by: Madie Greenfelder | Last update: December 7, 2025Score: 4.8/5 (20 votes)
At Juno, we recommend engaging a solicitor as soon as you list your property on the market, or ideally even before. This proactive approach allows you to start completing the necessary forms and ID checks, as well as allows your solicitor to get started with the preparatory work (eg preparing land registry documents).
When to engage a solicitor?
So, when do you need to engage a Solicitor? Once you have found your dream home, your offer via the estate agents has been accepted, and your mortgage has been agreed in principle, you can then start at looking to engage a solicitor.
When should I instruct solicitors?
In short, the best time to contact a solicitor is when you are ready to ``instruct'' them. This means you are ready to ask the solicitor to act on your behalf, so they can legally represent you as you go through the divorce process, and any legal processes related to money and children.
Why would you see a solicitor?
Solicitors are legal experts and can help you with legal issues such as: buying a house. getting a divorce. making a will.
Do you instruct a solicitor before a survey?
I would instruct a solicitor straight away, but ask them not to do the searches until the survey comes back. Agents and mortgage co will want to know who your solicitor is, and you will want your solicitor involved if you want to negotiate on the price due to any adverse survey results.
Top Tips Tuesday - Questions you should ask before engaging a solicitor when purchasing a property.
What happens after a land survey is done?
Once a land survey is completed, findings are recorded, often by creating official reports, public records, land records, legal documents, maps, and more. In many cases, survey work is completed with a team.
When should you not conduct a survey?
A survey is not a good idea when…
You don't have the enough money and resources to act on the information you get back. You have already made your decision; you just want to see how it is going to be received. Your reason for doing the survey starts with, “It would be nice to know….”
What are the disadvantages of using a solicitor?
One of a few downsides to getting a solicitor to negotiate your financial settlement on your behalf is expense. Depending on your situation, negotiations can take a long time. As most solicitors charge by the hour this can end up running into a large bill.
Do you really need a solicitor?
Not everyone requires the assistance of a solicitor throughout their entire case, but it is widely recognised that “knowledge is power.” Having legal advice tailored to your specific situation can greatly assist you in navigating the often complicated Court process.
Why should you use a solicitor?
Legal issues can be confusing and complex. Using a solicitor means they can guide you through legal processes, let you know what choices are available and answer your questions.
What is the rule 37 for solicitors?
Supervision of legal services. 37.1 A solicitor with designated responsibility for a matter must exercise reasonable supervision over solicitors and all other employees engaged in the provision of the legal services for that matter.
How long should a solicitor take?
Key Takeaways: Average Timeline: The typical duration for solicitors to process a house sale usually varies between 8 to 12 weeks, depending on several factors.
How do you know if a solicitor is any good?
Look for a solicitor who has dealt with cases similar to yours and has a proven track record of success. Another important consideration is the solicitor's reputation and reviews. Look for testimonials and reviews on their website or on third-party review sites like Google Reviews, Trustpilot, or Yelp.
What is the golden rule for solicitors?
The substance of the Golden Rule is that where a solicitor is instructed to prepare a will for an aged testator or for one who has been seriously ill, he should arrange for a medical practitioner to satisfy himself as to the capacity and understanding of the testator and to make a contemporaneous record of his ...
What happens when you instruct a solicitor?
When you instruct a solicitor, you enter into an agreement with them to represent you and act on your behalf in a transaction. The process of instructing a solicitor is simple and will in most cases start with a short phone call or email to exchange information.
How do you deal with solicitors?
Post No Soliciting Signs: The simplest way to deter solicitors is by placing No Soliciting signs in highly visible locations such as gates, front doors, or windows. Make sure these signs are easy to read and located where solicitors are likely to see them upon approaching your property.
Why would you have a solicitor?
The issues that solicitors advise on range from personal issues (such as wills and divorces) to commercial work (such as mergers and acquisitions).
Does a solicitor charge?
Some solicitors will charge you on an hourly basis. This means that the cost of their services is determined by the amount of time they spend working on your case. Understanding the average hourly rates for solicitors can help you gauge what to expect when evaluating potential legal services.
Can you trust a solicitor?
Those we regulate are in a position of trust. Personal integrity is central to their role and they are bound by our Principles to protect client money and assets, and to act in the public interest. Solicitors and other individuals that we regulate are often trusted with large amounts of client money.
Do you have to use a solicitor?
If you don't have a lawyer (a solicitor or barrister), you can take your own case or defend yourself in court or at a tribunal. It's important to try to get proper legal help if you can. If you're on a low income, find out if you can get free or affordable legal advice.
What are the pitfalls of online wills?
One major drawback to online will creators is that the execution of the will still needs to be handled. Simply having a PDF file with your assets listed isn't going to help much. You will still need to have the will filed with probate. Attempting to do this on your own can be a hassle.
At what point do you get a survey done?
The best time to book a survey
The ideal time to book your survey is after your offer has been accepted and before exchange of contracts. According to our research with home buyers, 46% said it took between 3-5 months for their purchase to reach completion, while 41% said it took just 1-2 months.
What makes a survey flawed?
Survey error is caused when researchers make mistakes designing and administering the survey, as well as when they misinterpret results. Response bias is caused by psychological influences that affect the way people respond to items on the survey.
How long is too long for a survey?
Broadly speaking you must try to keep your survey completion time to under 10 minutes, and even shorter when you're trying to obtain information in some areas such as customer satisfaction.
How long does a land survey usually take?
Time is often of the essence, but depending on your property's size and location, it can take time to complete. It typically takes two to ten business days to complete a boundary survey. Some land surveyors offer rush services of two to five days for an additional fee. This assumes the land surveyor is available.