Solicitors

If you are accessing information on this website, it is likely that you have already come into contact with a criminal justice solicitor at some point in your life. 

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Solicitors can:

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• Give you legal advice
• Tell you what your legal rights are and how to enforce them
• Help you resolve your problem without going to court or a tribunal
• Represent you in court or a tribunal (if needed)

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Solicitors normally specialise in a particular area of the law. For example:

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• Crime
• Family
• Employment
• Housing
• Money and Debt
• Company and Commercial
• Civil Rights

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You can find a solicitor by searching on the Law Society of Scotland’s website. When searching, it will let you filter it by area of law and geographic area.

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The Scottish Government website provides more information on what to expect from a solicitor. 

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I can’t afford to pay for a solicitor, what can I do?

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If you have been charged with a criminal offence or if you are in trouble with the police, the Public Defence Solicitors' Office (DFSO) can represent you if you are eligible for Legal Aid.

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If you need a solicitor for a civil legal problem, the Civil Legal Assistance Office (CLAO) may be able to help you. They cover Highland and Islands, Argyll and Bute, Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, and Edinburgh and Lothians. If they are unable to take your case, they also provide signposting to other legal services that may be able to help.

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You can find more information on free help and advice on our Legal Aid page.

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Scottish University Law Clinics

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Certain Scottish Universities have Law Clinics that use law students to provide free legal advice. If you are not eligible for legal aid then it may be an option worth considering.

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It is worth noting, however, that not all clinics are able to provide legal advice on all aspects of the law and they also generally operate within their own geographic area.

• Glasgow Caledonian University Law Clinic
• University of Strathclyde Law Clinic
• Aberdeen Law Project
• The University of Edinburgh Free Legal Advice Centre
• Edinburgh Napier Law Clinic
• The Law Clinic at Robert Gordon University

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Complain about a solicitor 

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If you want to complain about the service you have received from a solicitor or the way they have behaved, you must complain within 3 years:

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• First contact the solicitor themselves or the client relations manager at their law firm. 
• If your complaint is not resolved, you can complain to the Scottish Legal Complaints Commissions (SLCC).
• If the complaint is about the service the solicitor provided, the SLCC will deal with the complaint directly.  
• If you disagree with the decision of the SLCC, you must appeal within 28 days. 
• If the complaint is about a solicitor’s behaviour, the SLCC will refer it to the Law Society of Scotland 

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More information on complaining about a solicitor can be found on the Scottish Government website.

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Help and advice

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The following organisations also provide free legal advice:

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• Castlemilk Law and Money Advice Centre
• Clan Childlaw
• Fife Law Centre
• Govan Law Centre
• Legal Services Agency
• Scottish Child Law Centre

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The Scottish Guide to Pro Bono and Other Free Advice explains the full range of free legal advice available in Scotland.