We all go through life hoping that we won’t have to deal with any major hurdles but, unfortunately, this isn’t always possible. The reality is that there are many occasions when you might find yourself in need of legal advice from a professional, whether you are making a case against someone else or have had legal action brought against you.
From buying or selling a house to getting divorced or inheriting an estate, civil law can play a big part in various life events spanning many years. At times when you might not have the emotional or mental capacity to figure everything out for yourself, it can be invaluable to have a knowledgeable legal professional on your side.
Most reputable solicitor’s firms will offer legal advice for all of the above scenarios and more, helping you navigate your way through the confusing legal jargon, completing any complex administrative tasks on your behalf, and fighting your corner should the situation arise.
If you need legal advice but are unsure what services are available to you, keep reading - here’s a comprehensive guide to the types of legal services a solicitor can provide.
Where to seek legal advice
Legal problems can be stressful, but they don’t always have to be. Whether you’re on the receiving end of a claim or are looking to make one yourself, professional legal advice could be the difference between you winning or losing your case.
It’s natural to assume that the only place you can get legal advice is a solicitor’s firm. However, there are actually plenty of sources of legal advice available in Scotland. Some of these legal services are offered for free, while others will cost you. That being said, the costs are not always excessive and there are certain benefits to paying for your legal services.
If you’re in need of legal advice, you can contact the following organisations:
● Advice agencies, e.g. Citizens Advice Scotland, Shelter Scotland, Money Advice Scotland, and Turn2us
● Your local council
● Law centres
Alternatively, you could follow a more traditional and often more reliable route by contacting a solicitor. It can be especially wise to contact a solicitor who specialises in the area of law or the type of case you’re dealing with. While there are many advantages to seeking help from a solicitor, it can be one of the more costly solutions. At your initial consultation, your chosen solicitor should always give you a rough idea of their fees and how much your case will set you back. This will then allow you to make an informed decision as to whether this is the right option for you.
Areas of law that a solicitor can advise on
Solicitors can advise on a wide range of cases and areas of law, covering everything from separation and divorce to neighbour disputes or constructive dismissal. You will find that many solicitors specialise in a certain area of law, but they are still able to provide advice on areas of law that are outside their specialism. Alternatively, if your chosen solicitor doesn’t specialise in the area of law that your case concerns, they may be able to refer you to a colleague who does.
Here are just some of the areas of law that the reliable and experienced solicitors at DJP Solicitors are able to advise you on, should you require our help.
Civil legal disputes
Civil disputes are private cases in which one party seeks a remedy or some kind of compensation for a scenario that is outside the realm of criminal law. Unlike in criminal cases, where the government prosecutes someone for violating a criminal statute and punishes them with a fine or imprisonment, civil claims are made by individuals and therefore can be resolved (‘settled’) however the individual sees fit. It is possible to avoid court or a tribunal altogether, which can significantly reduce how much time, energy, and money all parties must devote to the case.
Some of the most common types of civil dispute are:
● Personal injury claims
● Breach of contract
● Family law
● Property disputes
● Landlord and tenant disputes
● Neighbour disputes
● Intellectual property disputes
At DJP Solicitors, we’re experienced in handling a range of legal disputes and offering expert legal advice across many areas of law. Although our main areas of expertise are family law, child residence and access, employment law and business disputes, we are also able and willing to provide support to individuals dealing with civil legal issues such as neighbour disputes or landlord and tenant disputes.
Family law
As one of our main focus areas, DJP Solicitors can help with a wide range of family law matters and will go above and beyond to get you the resolution you deserve. Whether you’re going through a divorce or are trying to navigate a child contact arrangement, our family law experts are well-equipped to provide you with valuable and practical legal advice at affordable rates.
Let’s take a look at the kinds of legal matters that fall under family law.
Divorce and separation
Unsurprisingly, divorce and separation are among the most stressful life events a person can experience. If you’ve just decided to get a divorce, it’s likely that emotions are running high and, no matter how amicable the situation is, there may not be a visible light at the end of the tunnel just yet.
With the support of a knowledgeable legal professional, you will be able to calmly and sensibly establish the details of your divorce, with the aim of finding the solution that works best for everyone. A solicitor can help you work out the division of assets, any child contact or residence terms, and how much child support or spousal support should be paid. They will also be well-equipped to deal with particularly difficult or tense situations - for instance, when one party is being difficult or failing to cooperate - as well as complete any paperwork and provide legal representation if the case goes to court.
Additionally, solicitors can help negotiate the same terms as above even in separation cases. While this can sometimes be more complicated when the parties were not legally married, as there’s no legal framework to follow, a solicitor will know exactly how to handle such a case and find a solution that works for everyone.
Child residence or contact
If the ex-partners are unable to come to an agreement about how child residence should be split following a divorce or separation, a solicitor can help. They will present evidence on their client’s behalf in order to make a compelling case for why they should gain or retain custody of any children. They can also help the involved parties come to an initial agreement as to whether child residence and contact will be split 50/50 or whether there will be a primary caregiver that the child lives with the majority of the time.
Spousal support
Spousal support is the term for the regular payments made by one spouse to another following a divorce or separation, the terms of which will be set out in the legal paperwork or in court. You may choose to hire a family law solicitor if you believe the payments are unfair and should be reduced or increased. Both the recipient and the payer are entitled to bring a case of this kind. A solicitor can argue the case on your behalf and help work out the terms of this payment, as well as other payments such as child support.
Employment law
Similarly to family law, employment law covers many different areas and can be of use to both employers and employees. Typical employment law cases include unfair dismissal, maternity rights, breach of contract, disciplinary issues, constructive dismissal, and settlement agreements. Regardless of the type of case in question, employment law solicitors will guide their clients through the legal aspects of their case and offer advice to help them make an informed decision about how they’d like to proceed.
If you think you have an employment law case, your solicitor will prepare a claim on your behalf, establish what type of settlement you hope to achieve, determine how realistic your chances of success are, prepare for and attend a preliminary hearing, and exchange documents with any other parties involved in the case.
They’ll also speak to any potential witnesses to gather evidence and attend a final hearing. Each stage is focused on ensuring all contracts and procedures have been implemented legally and fairly. If it is found that they have not, deliberations will then focus on securing the best solution or amount of compensation for their client.
For Wills and Probate Specialists, Employment Law Advice, and Much More, Choose DJP Solicitors
If you’re looking for a reliable solicitor based in Aberdeen, look no further than DJP Solicitors. Established in 2008, our firm has years of experience serving the local community, offering a wide range of legal services across many areas of law. Some of the areas we specialise in include civil disputes, family law and employment law, though we do also take on many other types of cases.
No matter the case, we strive to provide each and every one of our clients with a specially designated solicitor who will work with them to reach a solution that works for them. For friendly and practical legal advice and support, contact us today to arrange an appointment.
Comments