KembaraXtra - Legal Terms - Solicitor

A solicitor is a qualified legal practitioner admitted to practise under the Solicitors Act 1974 and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). Solicitors make up the largest branch of the legal profession in England and Wales and provide legal advice across virtually every area of law. Their work includes advising private individuals, businesses, charities, and public authorities; preparing legal documents; negotiating settlements; conducting litigation; and representing clients before courts and tribunals. While barristers have traditionally specialized in courtroom advocacy, solicitors increasingly undertake advocacy themselves following the expansion of rights of audience introduced by modern legislation.

The solicitor’s relationship with the client is founded upon both contract and fiduciary duty. A solicitor owes obligations of honesty, competence, loyalty, independence, confidentiality, and the avoidance of conflicts of interest. Client information must be kept confidential except where disclosure is authorized by law or required by professional obligations, such as anti-money-laundering legislation. Solicitors must always act in the client’s best interests while simultaneously upholding the administration of justice and maintaining the integrity of the legal profession. Failure to comply with these duties may expose the solicitor to disciplinary proceedings, negligence claims, or both.

Solicitors undertake a wide variety of legal work extending far beyond courtroom appearances. Their responsibilities commonly include drafting contracts, wills, leases, company documents, and court pleadings; conducting conveyancing transactions; advising on employment, family, commercial, criminal, and tax matters; negotiating settlements; managing litigation; and instructing specialist barristers where appropriate. Although solicitors traditionally appeared mainly in magistrates’ courts and county courts, suitably qualified solicitors who obtain higher rights of audience under the Courts and Legal Services Act 1990 may also appear as advocates before the High Court, Court of Appeal, and the Supreme Court.

A practising solicitor must hold a valid practising certificate issued by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. Historically, qualification required completion of a qualifying law degree or a non-law degree followed by the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL), completion of the Legal Practice Course (LPC), and a two-year training contract. Since September 2021, however, England and Wales have adopted a new qualification route centred on the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE). Under this system candidates must obtain a degree or equivalent qualification, pass the two-stage SQE assessments, satisfy character and suitability requirements, and complete at least two years of qualifying legal work experience.

Solicitors are personally accountable for the quality of the legal services they provide. A client who suffers loss because a solicitor has failed to exercise the standard of care expected of a reasonably competent practitioner may bring a claim for professional negligence. Solicitors are therefore required to maintain professional indemnity insurance to protect clients in the event of negligence. In addition, complaints regarding poor service may be referred to the Legal Ombudsman, while breaches of professional conduct may be investigated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, which possesses disciplinary powers ranging from fines to striking a solicitor from the roll.

The office of solicitor occupies a central position within the legal system of England and Wales. Solicitors combine legal expertise with practical problem-solving, representing clients throughout transactions, disputes, and litigation while ensuring compliance with both legal and ethical obligations. Their role has expanded significantly in recent decades through broader advocacy rights and modern qualification pathways, making solicitors essential participants in the administration of justice and the delivery of legal services.