Many people who have problems with their neighbours are often reluctant to get a solicitor involved. The main concern is usually the expense that could be incurred, and they might feel that a solicitor will bombard them with all manner of legal jargon which they might not be able to understand.
However, in situations where you have either tried to resolve a particular issue with your neighbour but have reached a stalemate, you’ve gone through a mediation service and that hasn’t worked either, or the Dispute Has Become Nasty, you might have no option but to seek legal advice.
What can I Expect if I Get a Solicitor Involved?
Well firstly, don’t be put off by the, sometimes, formal atmosphere of a solicitor’s office. A visit to a solicitor’s office might seem a million miles away from anything you’ve experienced before, but good solicitors will always try to put you at your ease, and explain things to you in a way in which you’ll be able to understand. Don’t forget, no matter how serious you think your problem is, you can be sure that they will have seen it all before countless times.
What can a Solicitor Do for Me?
Solicitors can help you on a number of levels. Firstly, once you’ve explained an issue to them, they’ll be able to tell you your legal position with regard to your particular problem. They can then determine what options you might have and, if there are several, they’ll be able to tell you the effects of choosing a specific option over another and the implications of each option.
They will also act as an intermediary, entering into negotiations with the other person(s) involved and make phone calls and write letters on your behalf. They will prepare all necessary legal documents and any court applications for you, and will ensure that you are represented in court.
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Your solicitor will be able to advise you on whether or not you’re entitled to legal aid. If you’re on an extremely low income and/or are receiving certain types of state benefit, you may be entitled to have all or a proportion of your legal costs paid for under the legal aid scheme, and a solicitor can advise you about this. However, government plans to cut the Funding To Legal Aid will reduce this entitlement.
What if I Still Can’t Afford to Pay or Wish to Take Another Route?
Even if you don’t qualify for any kind of legal aid whatsoever, you may find that it’s not necessary to worry about the total cost of a solicitor’s bill from start to finish. Sometimes, it may only take one or two instances of correspondence from a solicitor to the other party to force the person(s) involved to accept some kind of resolution which will prevent the matter going to court anyway.
Therefore, you may find that it’s worth ‘testing the waters’ if you can afford to do that, and if both you and your solicitor agree that there’s every chance that the other party is likely to back down in the early stages. Of course, there’s always a gamble with that strategy that the other party may decide to contest the case, then you’re either stuck with continuing with the process and incurring further legal costs if you’re not entitled to legal aid, or dropping the case altogether. Your solicitor will usually be able to tell you, however, if it’s a gamble that’s likely to be successful, based on the facts you’ve presented to them.
Other Options
If you’re uncertain about engaging the services of a solicitor or simply cannot afford one and you don’t qualify for legal aid, then talking with a member of staff from Civil Legal Advice (CLA), which has its own website and is a free and confidential service, is well worth approaching. They’ll be able to advise you on your legal position and should be able to put you in touch with other advice centres close to where you live, who have advisers specialising in different areas of law who will be able to give you free, impartial advice.
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