What is a Solicitor UK

At Lillian Purge, we specialise in SEO for Solicitors. Here’s what defines a solicitor in the UK’s legal profession.

A solicitor is a qualified legal professional who provides expert advice, represents clients, and handles a wide range of legal matters. In the UK, solicitors play a central role in helping individuals, businesses, and organisations navigate the legal system, from drafting contracts and managing disputes to buying property and resolving family matters. They act as both advisors and representatives, offering guidance that ensures their clients make informed decisions while staying compliant with the law.

Understanding the Role of a Solicitor

Solicitors are trained to offer legal advice and support across various areas of law. Their primary role is to interpret complex legal issues and present clear, practical solutions. Unlike barristers, who generally specialise in court advocacy, solicitors often handle the preparation and management of a client’s case from start to finish.

Their work may involve drafting legal documents, negotiating agreements, representing clients in lower courts, and instructing barristers for higher court proceedings. Solicitors are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), which ensures they meet strict professional and ethical standards.

What Solicitors Do Day to Day

The daily duties of a solicitor depend largely on their area of specialisation. However, most share core responsibilities such as:

• Advising clients on their legal rights and obligations

• Drafting contracts, wills, leases, and agreements

• Managing legal documentation and correspondence

• Negotiating settlements and resolving disputes

• Representing clients in tribunals or lower courts

• Preparing cases for barristers to argue in higher courts

Solicitors also liaise with other professionals, such as accountants, surveyors, and financial advisors, to ensure their clients receive comprehensive support.

Different Types of Solicitors

The legal profession covers a wide range of specialisms. Most solicitors focus on specific areas of law to offer in-depth expertise. Common fields include:

Family Law: Handling divorce, child custody, and relationship agreements.
Conveyancing: Managing property transactions such as buying or selling homes.
Criminal Law: Defending clients accused of crimes or representing victims.
Employment Law: Advising employers and employees on workplace disputes and contracts.
Corporate and Commercial Law: Supporting businesses with mergers, compliance, and contract law.
Wills and Probate: Helping clients manage estates, write wills, and handle inheritance matters.
Personal Injury Law: Assisting clients in claiming compensation after accidents or negligence.

This specialisation allows solicitors to provide detailed, case-specific advice that general practitioners may not be equipped to offer.

How to Become a Solicitor in the UK

Becoming a solicitor requires a combination of academic study, vocational training, and practical experience. There are two main routes to qualification:

1. The Traditional Route:

• Completing a qualifying law degree (LLB) or a non-law degree followed by a Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL).

• Completing the Legal Practice Course (LPC).

• Undertaking a two-year training contract with a law firm.

2. The New SQE Route (Solicitors Qualifying Examination):

• Passing the SQE1 and SQE2 exams.

• Gaining two years of qualifying work experience, which can include placements or paralegal roles.

All solicitors must also meet character and suitability requirements set by the SRA before being admitted to the roll of solicitors.

Solicitors vs Barristers

Although both are legal professionals, solicitors and barristers perform different functions. Solicitors typically handle the client relationship, paperwork, and case preparation. They are often the first point of contact for legal help.

Barristers, on the other hand, specialise in courtroom advocacy and are usually brought in by solicitors to represent clients in higher courts. In some cases, clients may now approach barristers directly under the Public Access Scheme, but most still work through solicitors.

In simpler terms, solicitors manage the groundwork, while barristers present arguments before judges and juries.

Where Solicitors Work

Solicitors can be found working in a variety of settings, including:

• Private law firms, from small local practices to large international firms

• In-house legal departments for corporations and public sector organisations

• Government departments and local authorities

• Charities and non-profit organisations

• Legal aid and community law centres

Their working environment often depends on their area of law. For example, corporate solicitors might spend most of their time negotiating deals, while criminal solicitors could be attending police stations and courtrooms.

Regulation and Professional Standards

Solicitors in England and Wales are regulated by the SRA, which ensures that they maintain professional competence, confidentiality, and ethical conduct. They must hold a practising certificate and complete regular continuing professional development (CPD) to stay up to date with legal changes.

Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own regulatory bodies—the Law Society of Scotland and the Law Society of Northern Ireland respectively.

Clients can verify whether a solicitor is authorised to practise by checking the SRA’s online register, which lists credentials and disciplinary history.

Why People Hire Solicitors

People seek help from solicitors for a wide range of reasons. Some require legal advice for personal matters such as family issues, property purchases, or inheritance planning. Others need support for business-related legal needs like drafting contracts or handling disputes.

Solicitors bring expertise, efficiency, and peace of mind. They ensure that legal processes are handled correctly, documents are legally sound, and clients’ rights are fully protected. For many, having a solicitor’s guidance reduces stress and prevents costly mistakes.

The Role of Technology in Modern Legal Practice

Technology has transformed how solicitors work. Many firms now use digital tools to streamline case management, communicate securely with clients, and handle documents electronically.

Online consultations, electronic signatures, and virtual court hearings have become more common since the pandemic, making legal services more accessible than ever. Firms that combine digital efficiency with strong client service tend to perform better both operationally and in online visibility.

At Lillian Purge, we help law firms leverage this digital shift through SEO, content, and visibility strategies that attract the right clients in an evolving market.

Final Thoughts

A solicitor’s job is to make the complex world of law understandable and manageable for their clients. They provide clarity, reassurance, and expert representation across a wide range of legal matters.

Whether assisting with property transactions, employment disputes, or family matters, solicitors remain vital to ensuring justice and fairness in everyday life. Their professionalism and integrity form the backbone of the UK legal system, supporting individuals and businesses alike through every legal challenge.

Read more about what is an associate solicitor and what is the difference between a lawyer and a solicitor. Additional resources lie in our Solicitors Hub.