All law firms are regulated, aren’t they?

You’re not alone if you think all law firms are regulated.

Research shows most people think every legal services provider is regulated. Lawyers can help at life’s turning points – buying a home, getting a divorce, starting up a business. With our personal lives and finances at stake, we fully expect legal advice to be expert and properly regulated.

But the truth is not all law firms are regulated.

So what would you do if you had a legal problem? How would you choose a lawyer? Did you know that using a regulated law firm protects you against some kinds of risk?  Read on to learn more about choosing a lawyer.

Using a regulated law firm

People who work in a regulated law firm must meet the high standards set by the firm’s regulator.

When you use a regulated firm, you are protected. The firm has insurance to protect you if something goes wrong. You may be able to claim through the regulator’s compensation scheme if your money is wrongly taken by the firm.

You can complain to the Legal Ombudsman if you’re unhappy with a regulated firm’s service.

If you’re concerned about the actions of a regulated firm or someone who works there, you can complain to the firm’s regulator.

Finding out if a law firm is regulated

Law firms must be clear about who regulates them. This information is usually on their website.

The Council of Licensed Conveyancers, the Solicitors Regulation Authority, and CILEx Regulation all give the firms they regulate a smart logo to display on their websites.

Only genuine law firms are allowed to display these smart logos. If you’re choosing a lawyer, look out for them. It means a firm is regulated.

Another way to check whether a law firm is regulated in England and Wales is to search the regulators’ registers of legal professionals.