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Choosing the right legal adviser is about more than comparing fees. Here’s how to make sure you’re asking the questions that really matter.
Choosing a solicitor is one of the most important decisions you can make – whether you’re buying a home, resolving a dispute, planning for the future or managing a business. Yet many clients focus almost entirely on price and overlook the questions that reveal whether a solicitor is truly the right fit.
At Gordons Partnership, we believe informed clients make better decisions, and better decisions lead to better outcomes. The legal profession has evolved considerably in recent years: advances in technology, changing client expectations and an increasingly complex regulatory landscape mean the questions you ask at the outset matter more than ever.
Here are 10 questions every client should consider asking before and during their instruction in 2026.
Question 1 – Do You Have Experience with Matters Like Mine?
Not every solicitor specialises in every area of law. While many legal principles overlap, experience within a particular practice area often makes a significant difference to the quality and speed of the advice you receive.
Whether you’re dealing with a commercial dispute, employment issue, family matter or property transaction, it’s worth asking specifically about your solicitor’s experience with similar cases, and, where relevant, their familiarity with your industry or sector.
According to the Legal Services Consumer Panel Tracker Survey 2024, 88% of consumers said that being a specialist would increase their trust in a legal professional.
An experienced solicitor can identify potential issues earlier, explain likely outcomes more clearly and recommend practical strategies based on previous cases. Don’t be shy about asking for examples, a confident, competent solicitor will welcome the question.
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Question 2 – What Are My Options?
Clients sometimes assume there is only one legal route available. In reality, there may be several ways to resolve a matter, each with different costs, timescales and levels of risk.
For example, a commercial dispute might be resolved through negotiation or mediation without the need for court proceedings. Similarly, businesses may have several contractual or commercial solutions available before formal legal action becomes necessary. Understanding your full range of options allows you to make informed decisions rather than reacting under pressure.
A good solicitor should present all realistic options clearly, including the option of doing nothing, so you can weigh them up based on your own priorities and appetite for risk.
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Useful resource: GOV.UK Civil Justice Guidance – an independent overview of the civil court process and options available to individuals and businesses.
Question 3 – What Are the Risks?
No solicitor can guarantee an outcome. Good legal advice must include an honest discussion about potential risks alongside the strengths of your position. Understanding the possible legal, financial and practical consequences of proceeding – or not proceeding, is just as important as understanding what you want to achieve.
A solicitor should explain not only what could go right, but also what might happen if matters don’t go to plan. This includes costs risks (particularly in litigation, where an unsuccessful party may be ordered to pay the other side’s legal fees), procedural risks and the risk of an outcome that falls short of expectations.
Asking about risk isn’t pessimistic, it’s prudent. The clearer your understanding of downside scenarios, the better positioned you are to make a genuinely informed decision.
Useful resource: The Law Society – Guidance for the Public
Question 4 – How Will Costs Be Managed?
Legal costs are among the most common sources of concern, and complaint, for clients. The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) requires solicitors to be transparent about pricing from the outset, yet research consistently shows that unexpected costs remain one of the biggest sources of client dissatisfaction.
The Legal Ombudsman found evidence of poor service in 69.5% of complaints it resolved in 2024/25.
Solicitors’ hourly rates vary considerably depending on experience, location and the complexity of the work. HM Courts & Tribunals Service guideline rates for litigation range from around £139 per hour for trainee fee earners to more than £560 per hour for senior solicitors undertaking complex commercial work in London.
Your solicitor should explain how fees are calculated, whether fixed fees are available, what disbursements (third-party costs) may arise and how you will be notified if costs change during your matter. You should also ask whether conditional fee arrangements or other funding options are available for your type of case.
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Question 5 – Who Will Actually Handle My Matter?
Many clients meet one solicitor at an initial meeting but later communicate primarily with other members of the legal team. This is entirely normal, particularly within larger firms, but it’s important to understand how your team is structured from the outset.
You should ask: who will be your primary point of contact? Who carries out the day-to-day work? Who supervises that work? And who should you call if something urgent arises?
Understanding the team structure from day one prevents confusion and ensures you always know who to speak to. It’s also worth asking about the experience levels of those handling your matter, some routine tasks may be appropriately delegated to a junior solicitor or paralegal, but significant decisions should be overseen by a qualified solicitor with relevant expertise.
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Question 6 – How Will We Communicate?
Communication expectations have changed significantly in recent years. Many clients now expect updates by email, video call or secure client portal, rather than relying solely on traditional correspondence through the post.
Discussing preferred methods of communication at the outset helps everyone stay informed and reduces unnecessary uncertainty. This includes agreeing how frequently you’ll receive updates, whether you’ll be contacted proactively if something significant changes and what response time you can reasonably expect.
Clear communication isn’t just good practice, it’s a regulatory requirement. The SRA Code of Conduct for Solicitors requires that clients are kept informed about the progress of their matter in a way they can understand.
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Useful resource: Solicitors Regulation Authority – Code of Conduct
Question 7 – Are There Alternatives to Court?
Court proceedings are not always the most effective solution to a legal dispute. Alternative dispute resolution (ADR) methods, including mediation, arbitration, adjudication and negotiation, can often resolve disagreements more quickly, at lower cost and with less damage to ongoing relationships.
Increasingly, courts also expect parties to have genuinely explored ADR before commencing litigation, and failure to do so can result in cost sanctions even if you ultimately win your case. Since 2023, courts in England and Wales have had the power to order parties to attempt mediation without their consent.
Ask your solicitor to explain which ADR methods are most appropriate for your situation and what the realistic prospects of a negotiated settlement are before committing to litigation.
Useful resource: Civil Mediation Council – the recognised authority for civil and commercial mediation in England and Wales.
Question 8 – How Can I Reduce Legal Risk Going Forward?
Good legal advice doesn’t simply solve today’s problem, it should also help reduce the likelihood of future issues arising. Preventative legal advice is often considerably less expensive than resolving disputes after they have escalated. For businesses, this might involve reviewing contracts, updating employment policies, strengthening governance procedures or ensuring compliance with regulatory changes. For individuals, it could mean updating a Will, reviewing property arrangements, updating lasting powers of attorney or planning for future life events.
Ask your solicitor not just “how do we fix this?” but “how do we make sure this doesn’t happen again?” A proactive legal adviser will welcome that conversation.
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Useful resource: GOV.UK Business Support, guidance on legal obligations for UK businesses
Question 9 – How Is Technology Changing the Way Legal Services Are Delivered?
Technology is reshaping the legal profession at pace. Artificial intelligence, secure client portals, digital document management and automated processes are improving efficiency and allowing solicitors to deliver services more effectively.
However, technology should enhance legal advice rather than replace professional judgement. While AI tools can assist with research, document drafting and contract review, the application of legal knowledge to your specific facts and circumstances requires qualified human expertise.
60%+ of law firms in England and Wales are now using AI-assisted legal technology in their practice | Law Society Technology Survey, 2026
You should feel comfortable asking your solicitor how technology is being used in your matter, and how they ensure that client confidentiality and data security are protected when digital tools are involved. The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) and National Cyber Security Centre both provide guidance on what good data protection practice looks like for legal services.
Question 10 – What Happens Next?
One of the simplest but most valuable questions any client can ask at any stage of their matter is: “What happens next?”
Understanding the immediate next steps, expected timescales, likely milestones and any actions required from you helps reduce uncertainty and ensures matters progress as efficiently as possible. Many delays in legal matters occur not because of complexity but because of a lack of clarity about who is responsible for the next action, the solicitor or the client.
A clear, agreed set of next steps, confirmed in writing after every significant meeting or call, is one of the most practical habits that leads to better outcomes. Don’t leave a meeting or a call without clarity on what happens next, by when and who is responsible.
The Value of Asking Questions
The relationship between solicitor and client works best when communication is open and transparent from the very beginning. Asking questions isn’t about challenging your solicitor’s expertise, it’s about ensuring you understand the advice you’re receiving and can play an active, informed role in the decisions that affect your situation.
The right solicitor will welcome those conversations. They will explain legal issues in plain English, set realistic expectations and keep you informed at every stage. If a solicitor is uncomfortable with direct questions about experience, costs or risks, that is itself useful information.
Before instructing any solicitor, take a few minutes to prepare a short list of questions about your matter, the legal process, likely costs and realistic outcomes. It’s a simple step that can make a significant difference to your experience and your result.
