Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs
solicitor-advocate witney
It is very easy for Lawyers to forget that not everyone is a Lawyer! If you don’t understand don’t be embarrassed, just ask, and we will explain the jargon. Here are some of the terms and processes explained.
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A Solicitor is a lawyer who gives legal advice and represents the clients in the courts. They deal with business matters, contracts, conveyancing, wills, inheritance, etc. So, they work with any legal matter as well as represent the clients in the Courts. However, they can only appear in the lower courts.
Solicitors in England and Wales are represented by the Law Society of England and Wales (from which TLACORP is a member of its International Dept.). Solicitors from Scotland are represented by the Law Society of Scotland.
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A Solicitor-Advocate: In England and Wales there is a split in the legal profession between barristers with a traditional focus on advocacy in the courts to settle disagreements, and solicitors who primarily engage with clients and, when a matter needs to go to court, will instruct a barrister.
However, a solicitor-advocate takes a further qualification which allows them (like a barrister) to appear in all courts such as the High Court and Court of Appeal.
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A lawyer is anyone who could give legal advice. So, this term encompasses Solicitors, Solicitor-Advocates, Barristers, Chartered Legal Executives and Paralegals.
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A qualified lawyer equal to a solicitor but they have qualified through the ‘Chartered Institute of Legal Exectutives’ (CILEx) rather than The Law Society.
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A Barrister is a lawyer who is specialised in representing clients in the Courts. They have an audience in all Courts. They usually specialise in one area of law. In the UK, Barristers are regulated by the Barrister’s Association of the same jurisdiction in which they are competent. Usually, Barristers are approached by the Solicitors, and are contracted by them, to give legal advice in the particular area in which they are a specialist when the case is brought to Court.
Types of Lawyer
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Legal aid is available in some circumstances to help people meet the costs of legal advice, mediation and legal representation at Court.
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Costs will vary from case to case and will depend on the complexity of a matter, and how quickly a resolution can be achieved. We will give a costs estimate at the beginning and revise this regularly if needed.
Costs will increase significantly in the event Court applications are made, and will depend on whether it is necessary to proceed to the final Hearing for the Court to make a decision.
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You will not always have to attend Court to resolve your legal matters. In an ideal world you will be able to reach an agreement through mediation or by negotiation through solicitors. If that is unsuccessful, you will need to apply to the Court to determine the issue for you.
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When you attend court you will be accompanied by your legal representative. There will also be the other side and their legal representative as well as the Judge and their clerk. If you attend magistrates’ court, the magistrates will be assisted by a legal advisor who will be present during the hearing.
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In the town centre near The Wyvern Theatre.
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The nearest courts to Witney are in Oxford. The courts in Oxford are in the middle of the city centre near Christ Church and St Aldgates.
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You can call 07887 726734 or message through social media.
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It is difficult to access Legal Aid (we do not offer it) but there are organisations such as The Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) who can help.
We offer a free 30 minute appointment, in most cases. Some of our cases can be ‘no win no fee’ and we offer payment plans in some circumstances.
General FAQs
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This will vary significantly from case to case, and will depend on the matrimonial asset base; we will advise you in relation to a fair division of the assets in your individual case, based upon the parties needs and the legal principles of compensation and sharing.
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Parents are often encouraged to resolve child arrangements by agreement, and by focusing on what is in the best interests of their children. If an agreement cannot be reached between the parties, or at mediation, then an Application for a Child Arrangements Order can be made for the Court to determine who the children should live with, and how much time they should spend with each of their parents.
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The amount of child maintenance that you pay is assessed based on the amount that you earn by the Child Maintenance Service. You can contact the Child Maintenance Service to recalculate your obligation.
If there is a financial remedy Order in place that provides for you to pay spousal maintenance and you can no longer afford to meet the payments you would have to apply to the Court to vary the terms of the Order, if you cannot reach an agreement with your ex-spouse.
Family Law FAQs
“Working with Asif and the team is a pleasure; they are knowledgable, experienced, trustworthy and have excellent attention to detail. They are able to deal with any aspect of legal work that I require - all at very good value for money. Delighted to continue working with them and happy to recommend. It is refreshing to work with someone who aligns their interests with mine, that responds quickly and cares.”
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