Can you do better than a solicitor

johnnyskeleton

Arising from this thread in Legal Discussion, who here would be prepared to do their own legal services?

The above poster wanted to sue a insurance company and asked the very subtle question "How do I go about it?"

In particular, what do you think about representing, or dealing with the following, yourself:

A) A small personal injuries matter (i.e. minor whiplash)
A serious personal injuries matter (badly injured)
C) Minor criminal matter (e.g. road traffic, public order)
D) Criminal matter where you could loose your licence (i.e. drink driving)
E) More serious criminal matter (assault)
F) Writing a will
G) Probate (i.e. administering an estate)
H) Suing someone for a debt / breach of contract
I) Being sued for breach of a contract
J) Conveyancing (buying or selling a house)
K) Getting a Divorce / Judicial Separation
L) Applying for child maintenance or custody
M) Challenging the constitutionality of an act or government decision (You'd be surprised)

Also, has anyone done any of the above, and how did you find it (other than that guy who pops up every so often and tells everyone to do their own divorce)?

themadchef

No way in hell. Straight up, i wouldn't have the balls to do any of it.

Would be afraid I'd make a mess of it and it would end up costing me more in the long run.

utick

i would do it if the evidence is very clearcut, one way or the other.

just looking through the legal form though, its disgusting the amount of people asking can i sue for this, can i sue for that

A-Trak

Much like my ill fated attempt at taking out a decayed tooth myslelf in the early hours of the morning one time, legally representing yourself might seem like something you could do yourself , but without the help of a professional will invariably end in tears.

johnnyskeleton

utick wrote: »

i would do it if the evidence is very clearcut, one way or the other.

What about the Personal Injuries assessment board? If you were involved in a minor accident would you feel confident enough to go to PIAB and put in a claim? If they offered you X amount, and you thought it was a nice amount, would you take it or would you want a solicitors advice? Given that the whole point of PIAB was to cut out legal professionals, would you have confidence in this system or would you contact a solicitor anyways?

Or, for example a will. Would you write your own will, given that if there is a problem you'll never find out and it will be too late in any case.

utick wrote:

just looking through the legal form though, its disgusting the amount of people asking can i sue for this, can i sue for that

What is worse is the amount of people who think they can sue an insurance company but can't even read the charter, or the amount of people looking for advice on personal matters in an anonymous internet forum.

Krieg

F) Writing a will

I thought this was 99% done by yourself, the solicitor just looks over it to make sure its legal and holds on to it.


As for the rest, I wouldnt dare try

aidan_walsh

Could I do better than someone trained professionally at what they do? Probably not, no.

Anyone answering yes is either also trained, deluded, or both.

Rb

Even though I did a bit of business law for two years in College, I wouldn't try to represent myself in a court room.

Oilrig

Old saying... He who represents himself has a fool for a client.

They may shaft us, (don't deny it skeleton, I have friends in the industry...) but however, we're best using them.

Wait 'till the Poles suss out Blackhall... then the fun begins

johnnyskeleton

Oilrig wrote: »

Wait 'till the Poles suss out Blackhall... then the fun begins

As in then you'll still be shafted, but only by a more attractive person?

johnnyskeleton

Maybe I should have phrased it better, but there are many areas in which people do their own legal work, and not just the crazy "I'm suing the government for giving me brain disease" types.

For example, many people get those wills from Easons and do it themselves. PIAB (sorry if I keep harping on about it) was designed to make people settle personal injuries cases without getting legal professional involved, and many people who can't qualify for legal aid will represent themselves in court for parking fines, public order etc.

Obviously it would be madness to take on a conveyance or big contested legal battle yourself, and representing yourself in a murder trial, while a great spectacle, is not really a runner. But I suppose for the things that you could in theory do yourself would you give it a shot?

Mr. Incognito

ah sure they only train for years. what do they know.

fools.