Find a solicitor by area of law

Accident claim solicitors help people who have been hurt in an accident that was someone else's fault, such as on the road, at work or in a public place, to claim compensation.

Public law solicitors deal with disputes against public bodies such as councils, government departments and the NHS.

Advocacy is presenting a case in court or at a tribunal.

Agricultural solicitors advise farmers, landowners and rural businesses on farm tenancies, land sales, succession planning, subsidies and disputes over boundaries, rights of way and diversification.

Aviation lawyers advise airlines, aircraft owners and passengers on aircraft finance and leasing, regulation, accidents and claims for delayed or cancelled flights.

Banking solicitors advise lenders and borrowers on loans, security, regulation and disputes with banks, including complaints about mis-sold financial products.

Business solicitors help companies, partnerships and sole traders with everyday legal needs: setting up a business, contracts, terms and conditions, shareholder agreements and disputes.

Care home fees solicitors advise families on paying for long-term care, NHS Continuing Healthcare funding, challenging council assessments and protecting the family home.

Chancery work covers disputes over property, trusts, wills and estates, companies and insolvency, traditionally heard in the Chancery Division of the High Court in England and Wales.

Charity solicitors help set up and register charities, advise trustees on their duties and governance, and deal with legacies, fundraising rules and regulators such as the Charity Commission.

Children law solicitors advise on arrangements for children after separation, including where a child lives and time with each parent, as well as care proceedings, adoption and child abduction.

Civil liberties and human rights solicitors act for people whose rights have been breached by the state, including claims against the police, prisons and public authorities, and discrimination cases.

Civil litigation solicitors handle disputes between individuals or businesses that go to court, such as debt recovery, contract and property disputes, from early negotiation through to trial.

Clinical negligence solicitors help patients claim compensation when poor medical treatment by a doctor, hospital or other health professional has caused injury or made a condition worse.

Commercial litigation solicitors resolve business disputes, such as broken contracts, partnership and shareholder disputes, and unpaid debts, through negotiation, mediation, arbitration or the courts.

Commercial property solicitors act on the purchase, sale, leasing and financing of offices, shops, industrial units and development land, and on landlord and tenant matters for business premises.

Common law covers the areas of law built up through court decisions, such as contract, negligence and other civil wrongs.

IT lawyers advise on software licences, technology and outsourcing contracts, website terms, data protection and disputes over failed IT projects.

Construction and civil engineering lawyers work on infrastructure and building projects, drafting contracts such as JCT and NEC forms and resolving disputes over payment, variations and defects.

Construction solicitors advise developers, contractors and homeowners on building contracts, payment disputes, defects and delays, including adjudication and court proceedings.

Consumer solicitors help people with problems over faulty goods, poor services, cancelled contracts, misleading sales and disputes with traders, using consumer protection law.

Contested probate solicitors deal with disputes over wills and estates, such as challenges to whether a will is valid, claims for reasonable financial provision, and disputes with executors.

Contract solicitors draft and review agreements and advise on what happens when a contract is broken, including claims for damages and getting out of contracts.

Commercial conveyancing is the legal work of buying, selling and leasing business property: checking title, searches and leases, and registering the transfer.

Residential conveyancing solicitors handle the legal side of buying, selling or remortgaging a home: searches, contracts, mortgage requirements, Stamp Duty or its equivalent, and registering ownership.

Copyright lawyers protect creative work such as writing, music, photographs, software and designs, advising on ownership, licensing and claims for infringement.

Corporate finance lawyers advise companies on raising money, through share issues, private equity, venture capital and stock market listings, and on related transactions.

Court of Protection solicitors help families make decisions for people who lack mental capacity in England and Wales, including deputyship applications, statutory wills and disputes over care.

Criminal defence solicitors represent people questioned by the police or charged with an offence, from advice at the police station to representation in court.

Debt solicitors help people and businesses deal with money they owe or are owed, including court claims, county court judgments, repossessions and options such as individual voluntary arrangements.

Defamation solicitors act in claims for libel and slander, where false statements damage a person's or business's reputation, including content published online and on social media.

Dental negligence solicitors help patients claim compensation when dental treatment falls below an acceptable standard and causes injury, pain or the need for further treatment.

Drink driving solicitors defend people accused of driving or being in charge of a vehicle over the alcohol limit or failing to provide a specimen, and advise on avoiding or reducing a ban.

Drug driving solicitors defend people charged with driving with a specified drug in their system or while impaired by drugs, including prescription medication.

Education solicitors help families and students with school admissions and exclusions, special educational needs support, and disputes with schools, colleges and universities.

Employment solicitors advise employees and employers on unfair dismissal, redundancy, discrimination, settlement agreements, contracts and employment tribunal claims.

Energy lawyers advise on power generation and renewable energy projects, oil and gas, utilities regulation and the contracts and planning behind energy infrastructure.

Environmental solicitors advise on pollution, contaminated land, waste, environmental permits and regulatory investigations, and act for communities affected by environmental harm.

Estate administration solicitors help executors and families deal with someone's affairs after death: obtaining probate or confirmation, paying debts and tax, and distributing the estate.

EU law specialists advise on European Union rules affecting trade, competition, employment and residence rights, including the effects of Brexit for businesses and individuals in the UK and Ireland.

Family solicitors advise on divorce and dissolution, financial settlements, arrangements for children, domestic abuse protection, cohabitation disputes and prenuptial agreements.

Financial services lawyers advise investment firms, advisers and their clients on regulation, compliance and disputes, including claims about poor financial advice.

Fraud solicitors defend people investigated or charged with fraud and financial crime, and act for victims trying to recover money lost to fraud.

Solicitors can advise on funeral plans and wishes as part of estate planning, and help families with problems arising from pre-paid funeral plans.

Immigration solicitors advise on visas, settlement, citizenship, family and spouse applications, asylum, sponsor licences for employers, and appeals against refusals.

Insolvency solicitors advise individuals and businesses in financial difficulty on bankruptcy, administration, liquidation and voluntary arrangements, and act for creditors.

Insurance solicitors deal with disputes over insurance policies, such as rejected or underpaid claims, and act for insurers in defending claims.

Intellectual property solicitors protect ideas, brands and creative work through patents, trade marks, copyright and designs, and deal with licensing and infringement disputes.

International lawyers advise on cross-border matters outside the EU, such as international trade, overseas property and investments, foreign judgments and disputes between parties in different countries.

Residential landlord and tenant solicitors advise on tenancy agreements, rent arrears, deposits, disrepair, possession claims and evictions, for both landlords and tenants.

Licensing solicitors help pubs, restaurants, shops and venues obtain and keep premises and personal licences for alcohol, entertainment, late night refreshment and gambling.

Matrimonial solicitors deal with divorce and separation, dividing money and property, maintenance, and pre- and post-nuptial agreements.

Media and entertainment lawyers act for performers, writers, producers and companies in film, television, music, publishing and games, on contracts, rights and disputes.

Family mediators help separating couples agree arrangements for children and finances without going to court.

Civil and commercial mediators help people and businesses settle disputes through confidential negotiation with an independent mediator, usually quicker and cheaper than going to court.

Medical negligence solicitors help patients and families claim compensation for injury caused by mistakes in medical care, such as misdiagnosis, surgical errors and birth injuries.

Product liability solicitors act for people harmed by faulty medicines, medical devices and implants, often in group claims against manufacturers.

Mental health solicitors represent people detained in hospital under mental health law at tribunals, and advise on mental capacity, deprivation of liberty and care decisions.

Mergers and acquisitions lawyers advise on buying and selling companies and businesses, including due diligence, negotiating the deal and drafting the sale agreement.

Military law solicitors represent members of the armed forces in courts martial, service complaints, discharge and compensation claims.

Motoring solicitors defend drivers accused of offences such as speeding, careless or dangerous driving and driving without insurance, and argue against driving bans.

Neighbour dispute solicitors help resolve disagreements over boundaries, rights of way, trees and hedges, noise, nuisance and party walls.

Patent lawyers help inventors and businesses protect new inventions, from patent applications to licensing and infringement claims, often working alongside patent attorneys.

Pensions lawyers advise employers, trustees and members on workplace pension schemes, transfers, pension sharing on divorce and disputes over pension benefits.

Personal injury solicitors help people injured through someone else's negligence claim compensation, including road traffic accidents, accidents at work and slips and trips.

Planning solicitors advise on planning applications and appeals, objections to developments, enforcement notices, listed buildings and agreements with councils.

Solicitors prepare powers of attorney so a trusted person can make financial or health decisions for you if you lose mental capacity, and help attorneys with their duties.

Professional negligence solicitors bring claims against professionals such as solicitors, accountants, surveyors and financial advisers whose poor work has caused financial loss.

Regulatory lawyers advise businesses and professionals facing investigations, prosecutions or disciplinary proceedings by regulators, and on staying compliant.

Road and rail transport lawyers advise hauliers, bus and rail operators on operator licensing, regulation, safety investigations and commercial contracts.

Road traffic solicitors defend motorists accused of driving offences and help with licence points, bans and exceptional hardship arguments.

Shipping lawyers advise shipowners, charterers, traders and insurers on the carriage of goods by sea, ship sales and finance, collisions and marine insurance claims.

Tax solicitors advise individuals and businesses on income tax, capital gains tax, inheritance tax, VAT and corporate tax planning, and on disputes and investigations with tax authorities.

Trade mark lawyers help businesses register and protect brand names and logos, and take action against copying and infringement.

Transport lawyers advise on the movement of goods and passengers by road, rail, sea and air, including contracts, regulation, licensing and claims for lost or damaged cargo.

Travel lawyers help holidaymakers with claims about package holidays, illness or injury abroad and cancelled trips, and advise travel businesses on regulation.

Trust solicitors set up and administer trusts to protect family wealth and provide for children or vulnerable relatives, advise trustees and resolve trust disputes.

Welfare benefits solicitors help people challenge decisions on benefits such as Universal Credit, PIP and ESA, including mandatory reconsiderations and tribunal appeals.

Wills and probate solicitors write wills, plan to reduce inheritance tax, and help executors obtain probate (or confirmation in Scotland) and administer the estate of someone who has died.