The Law Society launches new campaign – Help I need somebody....but not just anybody

By Helen Kelly Associate solicitor in the Probate Department

The Cheshire law firm SAS Daniels LLP is backing the Law Society’s information campaign to make consumers in Cheshire aware of how solicitors can help them solve a wide range of legal problems.

The YOUR SOLICITOR, QUALIFIED TO ANSWER campaign, which takes a Beatles theme with the strapline ‘Help, I need somebody’, will be featured in the print media and on posters in more than 200 train stations, with 100 million ‘opportunities to view’.

It will run from September 21 to November 21, and is aimed at encouraging consumers to use solicitors by highlighting the kinds of problems they can help with and how having the right legal information can help save money, time or heartache and often all three.

Advertising will direct viewers to the law societies’ own website (http://www.lawsociety.org.uk) where they can search for a solicitor to help them through the ‘find a solicitor’ service as well as obtaining more in-depth information about how solicitors can help.

Solicitors offer a wide range of services. From writing wills to resolving disputes between neighbours, from problems at work to buying and selling your home and putting together your Home Information Pack.

The Law Society has produced Customer Guides to help consumers on various legal topics and they are available online at http://www.lawsociety.org.uk/commonlegalproblems. They focus on; making a will, probate, setting up a home with your partner, renting out your property, renting a home, financial matters for the elderly, buying a home, getting a divorce, personal injury claims, problems at work, setting up a business, using a solicitor, and asylum.

My Own Experience

People are often surprised when I tell them that Will Writers do not need to be qualified. Anyone can now write a Will and charge you for it.

Many people are attracted to using a Will Writer because it costs less than a solicitor. However, there may be disadvantages that could prove costly later. Some will writers may be poorly trained and have little experience. Many Will Writers are unregulated. The main benefit of going to a solicitor is that solicitors are qualified and regulated by the Law Society so that if something goes wrong, you or your dependants have access to redress through the relevant society’s complaints service and compensation fund.

I have come across a few cases where the will-writing firms had just disappeared, leaving no trace, but with Wills and deeds then missing. This is clearly unsatisfactory for the family left behind. There is clearly no proper backup or resources in such instances.

Will writers often advertise their Will writing service for around £50. I have an example of a client where they responded to such an advert but ultimately were charged around £700 as a result of a large number of extra charges being applied.

Most solicitors would not consider a storage charge; I have come across many clients who have been charged by will writers annually for keeping wills.

What do you think?