Divorce is a very stressful experience so it’s important to feel comfortable with the lawyer you choose.

It’s very difficult for the average consumer to assess how good a lawyer is at the law. All solicitors are regulated and qualified so in theory should know how to practice the law. But they rarely keep statistics on wins and losses and in a field like divorce, very often there are no outright winners. So there are no league tables of divorce lawyers by results.

However, you can see, often from a lawyers website or by checking the Law Society website, whether they have specialist qualifications such as Law Society or Resolution Family panel membership. That indicates they have demonstrated a level of competence and experience in the field.

It’s also a good idea to “try before you buy” by speaking to the lawyer to get a quote. They should tell you what their fees are in an initial discussion anyway. But it’s also a good chance to get a feel for their likely service and whether you can work with them. Do they seem interested in your matter? Do they returns your calls? Are they empathetic in their communication with you?