Categories of Law Practised
For further clarification on legal specialisations, please see below. Certain specialisations are self-explanatory.
Administrative and Public Law
Agricultural Law
Aviation Law
Banking Law
Business Affairs
Advice on partnerships, limited companies and commercial contracts. This category includes solicitors who may cover a wide range of business affairs, eg., banking law, insurance law, pension schemes or road haulage licensing.
Chancery
Charity Law
Covers the establishment of new charities, defining charitable status as against political purposes, registration with the Inland Revenue and the charity commission, responsibilities of charitable trustees.
Child Care
Civil Liberties and Human Rights
Collaborative Family
Commercial Property
Buying, selling or leasing of shops, offices warehouses, factories and factory units.
Common Law
Company
Computer and IT Law
Construction or Civil Engineering
Consumer Problems
Legal Aid is generally not available to cover court proceedings in small disputes where the claim involved is less than £1,000. In cases like this it is possible to use the county court small claims procedure. A free booklet on making claims is available from county courts. Advice on how to make a claim is available from your solicitor, Citizens Advice Bureaux or independent advice centres.
Contentious Probate
Conveyancing - Residential
Buying and selling domestic freehold and leasehold properties
Corporate Finance
Court of Protection
Crime - General, Motor and Juvenile
General and Motoring: Criminal Legal Aid is available to anyone charged with one or more serious criminal offences. It is not generally available for motoring offences. Advice about criminal charges may be obtained from a solicitor under the "Legal Advice and Assistance" part of the Legal Aid scheme.
Debt and Money Advice
Includes advice on bankruptcy and insolvency, mortgage payments, tax and investments.
Education Law
Employment
Employment law includes advice on the legality of strike action, unfair dismissal claims, race and sex discrimination and employee confidentiality. If you have suffered racial or sexual discrimination or harassment, the Equal Opportunities Commission or the Commission for Racial Equality will be able to offer advice.
Energy and Natural Resources
Environmental Law
This includes planning law, pollution control and company environmental audits.
European Community Law
Family
This category includes anything to do with the breakdown of a marriage or relationship, including the arrangements for the children, your income, home or other property and any orders you need to protect you from violence. It also includes legal help with adoption and paternity issues.
Financial and Investment Services
Includes investment management, lump sum investment, financial planning, savings scheme annuities, life cover, pensions, school fees planning and general insurance. Unlike many High Street financial advisers who are tried to one product provider, solicitors cannot be tied and so give wholly independent advice.
Fraud
French Law
Immigration and Nationality
This category covers solicitors who can assist refugees seeking asylum or individuals wishing to join their families and deportation appeals.
Insolvency and Bankruptcy
Insurance
This category covers firms instructed by insurance companies to defend claims, where solicitors have detailed understanding of different types of claims. Others will be able to advise on cases where liability or scope of policy cover is disputed. Also covers re-insurance and DTI regulations.
Intellectual Property
Copyright, design and patents advice, registration of rights and taking action against infringements
International Law (Non EC)
Landlord and Tenant - Residential
This category covers disputes between landlord and tenants about rent, security of tenure and disrepair.
Libel and Defamation
Litigation - Commercial
This category includes disputes involving the supply and the quality of goods, equipment and commercial, financial and insurance services.
Litigation - General
This category includes all cases of litigation which involve proceedings in a civil court including criminal injury.
Liquor/Licensing/Gaming
Licensing applications and appeals for leisure groups and breweries for liquor, entertainment, gaming and betting. Also advise brewery tenancy arrangements
Maritime - Shipping - Admiralty
Media - Entertainment Law
Mediation – Civil
Mediation – Family
Medical Negligence
This includes claims for damages for personal injuries against all types of medical practitioner and against hospitals, clinics and drug manufacturers.
Mental Health
Solicitors under this category will represent patients before a Tribunal on matters such as the admission of patients to medical or other care and the periodic review of detained persons.
Mergers and Acquisitions
Military Claims
Neighbour Disputes
This encompasses boundary disputes and other problems with neighbours, including noise, troublesome pets and overhanging trees.
Notary Public
Personal Injury
This category covers any injury sustained as a result of the negligence of any other person or company. The most common claims under personal injury result from road traffic accidents. Other claims arise from accidents at work or diseases contracted at work.
Planning Law
Power of Attorney
Professional Negligence
Taxation
Planning for individuals including advice on inheritance tax and capital gains tax. Advising business clients and companies on the tax implication of setting up, restructuring and buying and selling assets.
Transport - Road and Rail
Travel and Tourism
Trusts
Advising on the type of trust best suited to the client, drafting the trust deed and administering the trust.
Welfare Benefits
Wills and Probate