Family and Friends Forum

Hi Scrappy

I would think a specialist one would be best so you and your son stand the best possible outcome in all of this.

Good luck with finding one, thinking of you xx

Out of interest is there a way to find a specialist or should our solicitor guide us when this is needed?

Hi scrappy,

From reading numerous accounts a specialist solicitor is the best route so well done for finding one on such a tough day with everything you've had going on yesterday and this morning.

Summer I dont think a duty solicitor would say go use someone else so may be that you need to engage with a specialist yourself. We haven't looked st this yet as my husbands case as we aren't at charging stage but I have done some research about specialist firms already in readiness.



Ttkit

Hi Scrappy

yes I would second all the answers on here, we have got a specialist solicitor who deals with case’s like my partners.

He hasn’t actually been charged yet but we wanted to be ready when he is. Our solicitor has been really good so far, non judgmental and real sympathy to my partner, a really nice guy actually.



sending you very best wishes

Mabel x x

How do you find a specialist solicitor or know if they are any good? My partner has met one who says they have experience but how do I know if they are ‘good enough’ or specialist enough?

My question is can you find a specialist solicitor who won't charge the earth. My husband went for a free one hour chat with one to be told he would be looking at about £10,000. We can't afford that.

Oh the justice system is so unfair for those who have money, and those that don't. Is that £10.000 based on a trail and not guilty plea or....? Things like that would matter greatly with costs as it can involve paying for a good barrister, and pysch report etc.

Specialists may not always be as special as they say. I think a specialist is only necessary if you are going to trial but even then a good barrister may be all you need. If pleading guilty all you really need is a good solicitor who will put their point across and ensure a fair hearing. Legal representation is expensive but essential for any offence. £10,000 is expensive I hope that quote was for everything including a trial. It costs about £250-£350 for a meeting with a solicitor after your free consultation it's well worth it for advice.

Hi again

I just entered my search on Google and it came up with a list so we contacted a firm from that list. My partner went to see them to see what he thought & from the first meeting he liked the solicitor very much, felt totally at ease with him. He has dealt with lots of cases like my partners & I do believe he will try to get us get the best outcome, but you just have to have faith in them I suppose and trust your gut feeling.

Mabel xx

Partner,

That cost didn't include psychiatric report or crown court, so would have been more than £10,000. It is unfair that you feel your not getting the best because you can't afford it.

Mabel, glade you have found one you are confident in. Xx

You'll want to find a solicitor that has expereince in ths area. Ask how many cases they have dealt with in the past year to decide if they are familiar enough with the law. Don't rely on your solicitor or even the Judge to bother reading everything thoroughly though. In my partners case there was a major contradiction in the polices summary that was not noted until after sentencing. Of course it didn't help that the police's report was only released just over 24 hours before the plea hearing, despite them writing it many months prior.