What to look for in a Solicitor

Costs
Costs of conveyancing vary wildly from firm to firm. Be assured that you get what you pay for.

Ask questions about seniority of the people who will be acting on your file and what searches will be done.

Ask whether you will get a copy of the searches and an explanation of the search results.

Ask whether perusal of your mortgage documents from your bank is included in the conveyancing price.

Ask whether unqualified staff or junior staff will be acting on your conveyance.

Ask about the systems and procedures in place to ensure that nothing is missed on your file.

At Bennett Carroll Solicitors, you get more than you pay for. Senior peole, search results explained in an all inclusive price. No junior staff, no unqualified staff and a complete management system to ensure nothing is missed on your file.

Accessibility
Over 70% of complaints to the professional body governing Lawyers relate to inability to get a Lawyer on the phone or to get that Lawyer to return phone calls.

Ask whether the firm has a policy on accessibility and returning telephone calls when you have a question you want answered quickly.

At Bennett Carroll, we answer your questions and your calls.

Provision of information
Ensure that you are happy that you are going to receive up to date informaton as your matter progresses.

Ask if there is a policy regarding copies of correspondence in and out being sent to you.

At Bennett Carroll Solicitors, providing you with information and copies of correspondence is automatic. You do not have to chase us for information.

The comfort factor
Make an assessment when speaking to each law firm whether they have an approach which makes you comfortable. Are you going to be able to work with these people?

At Bennett Carroll Solicitors, we are intent on taking away the stress and working closely with you to ensure complete satisfaction.

A language you can understand
Look at the style of communication used in these initial telephone calls. Do they respond to your questions using your kind of language or is it "Legal Ease"?

At Bennett Carroll Solicitors, we talk commonsence no frill English that you can understand.

BELLIGERENCE VERSUS CO-OPERATION

Ask about their approach to resolving disputes over your matter. Some firms will automatically take a belligerent, aggressive and obstructive attitude. Others, whilst protecting your rights, will work in a co-operative manner to try and ensure that your Contract settles.

At Bennett Carroll Solicitors, we protect your rights and work in a co-operative manner to ensure settlement at all times.

What is the first thing to do when looking at a franchise?

Research!

Ask lots of questions!  You can never ask too many questions of too many people, when making such an enormous decision.  Trade shows, internet, franchisors themselves, franchisees, industry groups, Departments of Fair Trading.  All these groups can provide information and feedback.

You will probably already have a fair idea, or a short list, of franchise groups that you think will fit you goals and skillset, but any franchisees, once they have settled upon and committed to a franchise, indicate to us that it is very different from their initial intention.  Stay focussed on franchises which fit your goals and skillset.

Things to look at:-

1.                  Length of time established (short may mean that you are in on the ground floor, provided your skillset permits, but long may mean good systems and track records);

2.                  Location, territory, saleability, costs versus return, reputation, trading history, growth pattern, how that growth has been achieved (organically, through venture capital, or by use of area masters);

3.                  Your role in the franchise (entrepreneur, manager, technician, sales, accounting or largely hands-off);

4.                  Recent sales pattern (are established franchisees dropping like flies?)

5.                  Multiple franchise owners (are there existing franchisees that have multiple territories, are new territories available and, if so, where?)

6.                  Length of training;

7.                  Capital equipment requirements;

8.                  Market forces (is this a sunrise or greenfield industry likely to explode/implode/be subject to Government regulation/be swamped by a battleship competitor?)

9.                  Is the industry in its adolescence where competition between service providers is rife?

10.             Is the industry in its twilight where margins are thin and demand is waning?

11.             Is there a big difference between branded franchises and unbranded non-franchise individual traders?

12.             Is the franchise brand strong and well known?

13.             What is the reputation of the franchise brand?

It is important that you speak to as many people as possible to get their impressions across this range of characteristics.  Some franchisees will even ask to work in a branch for a time to get the “warts and all” understanding of the business.  Regardless of the amount of homework that you do, ultimately, you will need to be comfortable that the franchise suits you, and that you will be getting value for your franchise fees and royalties.

Common mistakes when buying a franchise:-

1.                  Lack of homework;

2.                  Emotional response;

3.                  Cash register fever;

4.                  Pride;

5.                  Failure to engage any/decent advisors;

6.                  Feeling pressured into finalising a decision;

7.                  Under-capitalisation;

8.                  Goals/skillsets mismatch;

9.                  Poor franchise group;

10.             Lack of an exit strategy.