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Do your research

A new survey indicates that the public ought to do more research before instructing solicitors.

It is understandable that, when instructing a solicitor, the public tend to think that they are all competent and efficient. The focus tends to be on price and service. However, in reality, whilst price and service are relevant factors, it is far more important to have a solicitor who genuinely knows about the type of law you need, who does not have a long history of complaints, at a firm that can properly deal with your matter.

Even many of the so-called solicitor comparison sites or vetting sites do not properly check this. This is even more surprising since the Solicitors Regulation authority (SRA) website now has this information. You can search by firm or solicitor.

Returning to the survey, this found :-

• just over 50% of those instructing a solicitor in the last 3 years checked their qualifications.
• the survey was commissioned by www.personalinjurylawyers.co.uk and questioned just over 1,100 people
• 41% said they were not satisfied with the solicitors service
• 76%, did not check whether their solicitor has genuine expertise in the area of law where they instructed
• 22% stated they had relied on a personal recommendation
• 62% had instructed based on locality and the first solicitors they spoke with or contacted

Will statistics from ICM Direct

Some recent statistics relating to wills are as follows :-

• Over 60% of adults do not have a will
• Nearly 70% with young children have not made a will
• In the age group of 55-65 the figure is around 50%
• Of those who have made a will only around 15% have reviewed it in the last 10 years
• Some 25% do not even consider making a will and a similar proportion think it’s very expensive to make a will which is simply not the case.

Whilst none of us wants to think about our own death, these statistics suggest that far too many people simply don’t understand the compelling reasons to make a will and that most wills do not cost more than around £300.00. This is not a small amount of money but it is hardly unaffordable in the context of the benefits provided.

Credit where credit is due. We came across this post today, thought about potentially putting a spin on it, but the article simply cannot be improved, it really is excellent and embodies are own views, So, without further ado, if you are interested, whether as a client or a lawyer in anew take on what clients want from lawyers, click this link.  Hope you enjoy.

Work and play becoming increasingly merged ?

Many will not be surprised by research indicate that convergence not only relates to the merge of ways to access the internet, phones and other devices but also to the fact that many people are finding the boundaries between work and leisure time are increasingly blurring.

The research by Gradwell found that :-

• 1 in 3 British people answer business calls while on holiday
• The biggest sector finding it hard to switch off are men, and of these, senior management and people over 65 are finding it particularly hard to shut off their business.

Commentators are of suggesting that part of the problem may be pressure imposed by work , by providing smartphones, for employees to either consciously or subconsciously form the view that this means they need to be available almost 24/7. Not great for stress or work/life balance.

Possible employment law claims in the offing based on the above ?