Non solicitor acting for solictor

Hells Belle

Hi all, I hope someone can help me. I've been corresponding with a person I assumed (I know!) to be a solicitor in a civil matter. He wasn't hired by us and the way he's treated us is just one mark off harrassment, so naturally if we don't have to deal with him I'd prefer a real solicitor. He never put himself across as a solictor just to add, but didn't offer up the fact that he wasn't either.

We have not hired one ourselves as it's a matter of foreign property, and we want to hire our own from that country for conveyance when the time comes.

Can anyone tell me if I'm in my rights to request someone with a Law Degree or is it common practice for someone with a Bachelor of Commerce to deal with law matters? There is a solicitor with this practice (whom we've never dealt with) but is not based in the same office. I couldn't find anything on the Law Society website about this.

If anyone knows or could point me in the right direction I would be most grateful.
HB

blueythebear

Hells Belle wrote: »

Hi all, I hope someone can help me. I've been corresponding with a person I assumed (I know!) to be a solicitor in a civil matter. He wasn't hired by us and the way he's treated us is just one mark off harrassment, so naturally if we don't have to deal with him I'd prefer a real solicitor. He never put himself across as a solictor just to add, but didn't offer up the fact that he wasn't either.

We have not hired one ourselves as it's a matter of foreign property, and we want to hire our own from that country for conveyance when the time comes.

Can anyone tell me if I'm in my rights to request someone with a Law Degree or is it common practice for someone with a Bachelor of Commerce to deal with law matters? There is a solicitor with this practice (whom we've never dealt with) but is not based in the same office. I couldn't find anything on the Law Society website about this.

If anyone knows or could point me in the right direction I would be most grateful.
HB

A solicitor doesn't even necessarily need any degree at all. It's perfectly normal for persons with non-law degrees to become solicitors and indeed some would argue that they are better solicitors for it.

Carlow52

AFAIK u need a license from the law society to act as a solicitor and the issue of having a law degree is not relevant as long as the relevant law society exams are passed

the site is down for the weekend

in terms of complaining etc, dont waste your time, they look after themselves

Distorted

I don't think theres anything you can do. People can after all represent themselves in the courts and can represent others as long as they do not misrepresent themselves as solicitors or charge for it. A few areas do have exclusive rights of audience but this does not give the impression of being one of those. Whether or not he is negligent and liable to whoever he is representing is another matter. As above, the possession of a law degree does not imply someone is a solicitor.

Hells Belle

Hi guys, thank you all for getting back to me, I kind of thought as much seeing as we didn't hire him. That's really strange though that you don't need a degree in law to practice law, I can't imagine there are too many professions that allow that. Thanks again

trishasaffron

Apart from the issue of his qualifications - remember you are the client. You can move at any time - just ask for fees to date (they should have sent you an estimate or basis of charging) and move your file to another practice.

234

Hells Belle wrote: »

That's really strange though that you don't need a degree in law to practice law, I can't imagine there are too many professions that allow that.

It's actually not that strange when you look into it. You have to sit exams to get into the Law Society to train as a solicitor. These exams pretty much cover what you study in a law degree so if you don't have a law degree you cover what you would in one in your studying for the exams. Also, a law degree introduces you to law at a very theoretical and removed stage. For example, if you complete a module in Land Law you would still have no idea how to carry out conveyancing on a property; that's what your professional training is for.
If you want to go to the King's Inns to train as a barrister you do need either a law degree or their two year diploma in law.
Not sure what the story is with other professions.

enda1

Its illegal to call oneself a solicitor as far as I know. Though since the person didn't call himself a solicitor, then no crime was committed I guess.