Questions to ask when choosing a solicitor

Does the firm have current Lexcel, ISO9001 or equivalent accreditation?

Lexcel is the Law Society's international practice management standard to certify that a law firm meets the highest standards in case management, customer care and risk management. Lexcel accredited practices are reassessed every year to ensure they continue to meet the standards required.

International quality management standards such as ISO 9001:2008 ensure firms fulfil the highest standards in client care and case management. They also ensure that firms meet applicable regulatory requirements. For law firms this would include those laid down by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, the independent regulatory body of the Law Society. ISO9001 accredited firms are independently reassessed every six months to ensure they continue to meet the standards required.

Will the individual solicitor you meet with deal with your case personally?

Find out who will be dealing with your case. Make sure they have relevant experience and that your case is not going to be passed to a junior. The solicitor instructed by you must have sufficient time to assess your case and be involved in all the important steps.

Is the solicitor a member of the Medical Negligence Accreditation Scheme?

Members of this scheme will have shown to the satisfaction of the Law Society that they maintain a high level of knowledge, skills, experience and practice in the area of clinical negligence. Your solicitor should be either on the Law Society's Medical Negligence Panel or the AvMA Action Against Medical Accidents Referral Panel.

Does the firm have a good record of successful medical negligence claims?

Consider the number of successful claims the firm has concluded and whether any of these claims have been for conditions similar to yours or your child's. For cerebral palsy claims choose a practice that is already pursuing claims in this area. Ask what their experience is in the field, how many recent cases they have dealt with, and the outcome of those cases.

How many medical negligence specialist solicitors does the firm employ?

This can be an indication of a firm's experience and ability to progress a case and keep you well informed as you progress.

How will the solicitor keep in contact with you?

Your solicitor is required to work with you and stay in touch so that you can make well-informed choices throughout your case. Make sure she agrees to keep in regular contact so that you are kept up to date with your case. There should be another member of the legal team familiar with your claim who can respond to your enquiries if your solicitor is absent. You may wish to know how they will communicate with you, in person (in the office or at your home), by email or by telephone.

There are tips on how to get the best out of your relationship with your solicitor and what to expect on the website of the Solicitors Regulation Authority.

Does the firm have a Legal Services Commission Clinical Negligence franchise?

Only firms with such a franchise will be able to obtain public funding from the Legal Services Commission if available.

Does the firm offer education, welfare benefit, community care and public law expertise?

This will be particularly relevant when considering the wider social impacts of a disability. It will be helpful if all the numerous issues can be dealt with seamlessly within one organisation. The practice should have a Community Legal Service (CLS) Specialist Quality Mark to enable it to conduct publicly funded clinical negligence work.