Vetting Legal Professionals

[james_law]

In terms of vetting legal professionals, by this i mean people who are qualified/regulated in giving legal advice. How would i sufficiently vet someone so that I can sufficiently confirm who they are and are able to practice/give advice. This vetting procedure would need to sufficient to remove all liability from occuring from not vetting efficiently.

Would a practice certificate with 2 forms of identification be enough to do so?

Thanks in advance.

[pt2537]

In terms of vetting legal professionals, by this i mean people who are qualified/regulated in giving legal advice. How would i sufficiently vet someone so that I can sufficiently confirm who they are and are able to practice/give advice. This vetting procedure would need to sufficient to remove all liability from occuring from not vetting efficiently.

Would a practice certificate with 2 forms of identification be enough to do so?

Thanks in advance.

Sorry but vetting regulated professionals? what are you looking to do here? Employ them? or instruct them? or what. clarity would help

[james_law]

I'm not looking to employ them but make sure that they are who they say they are and that they are a legal professional that can give valid advice.

[pt2537]

I'm not looking to employ them but make sure that they are who they say they are and that they are a legal professional that can give valid advice.

Right so youre not looking at an employment context, if thats the case then if they work for a firm regulated by the BAR council, or the SRA, then theres a good chance they will be above board.

I must say its a little tricky to answer posts like this when the motive is unclear

[james_law]

Right so youre not looking at an employment context, if thats the case then if they work for a firm regulated by the BAR council, or the SRA, then theres a good chance they will be above board.

I must say its a little tricky to answer posts like this when the motive is unclear

I know i apologise for not disclosing motive. Its more to do with individuals signing up to a website and making sure they are qualified to give advice. Its more about the individual and if they are qualified to give advice.

[pt2537]

I know i apologise for not disclosing motive. Its more to do with individuals signing up to a website and making sure they are qualified to give advice. Its more about the individual and if they are qualified to give advice.

If it relates to getting legal advice in those circumstances my best advice to you would be dont, go to a lawyer, one regulated by the Bar or CILEX or SRA, you are as safe as you can be then

[R0b]

So if you only want individuals who are qualified to give legal advice to sign up to a website then you would contractualise that and make it part of the conditions of signing up (important terms like these ought to be made prominent). If you are worried that those signing up may not be who they say they are, then you should ask them to provide evidence of their quialifications prior to becoming a member e.g. a valid practising certificate and barrister equivalent.

You can verify them by going to the SRAs find a solicitor or the Barristers' Register.

That said, you should consider what you mean by individuals qualified to give advice. Does that mean qualified solicitors and barristers only, or does that extend to those who have qualified through the CILEX route? What about those who are not legally qualified but have extensive knowledge in that particular subject area e.g. surveyors, accountants, compliance officers etc.

[james_law]

So if you only want individuals who are qualified to give legal advice to sign up to a website then you would contractualise that and make it part of the conditions of signing up (important terms like these ought to be made prominent). If you are worried that those signing up may not be who they say they are, then you should ask them to provide evidence of their quialifications prior to becoming a member e.g. a valid practising certificate and barrister equivalent.

You can verify them by going to the SRAs find a solicitor or the Barristers' Register.

That said, you should consider what you mean by individuals qualified to give advice. Does that mean qualified solicitors and barristers only, or does that extend to those who have qualified through the CILEX route? What about those who are not legally qualified but have extensive knowledge in that particular subject area e.g. surveyors, accountants, compliance officers etc.

This pretty much clears up what I was thinking and needed answering. In terms of other ''individuals qualified to give advice'' it very much stays in the legal sector and is not opened up to experts in fields so I dont need to consider that. It would be just for barristers and solicitors, and I would need to look into the cilex qualification and if they can give legally give advice.

[pt2537]

This pretty much clears up what I was thinking and needed answering. In terms of other ''individuals qualified to give advice'' it very much stays in the legal sector and is not opened up to experts in fields so I dont need to consider that. It would be just for barristers and solicitors, and I would need to look into the cilex qualification and if they can give legally give advice.

A member of CILEX can hold rights of audience, can appear in the County Court , can conduct litigation and can run their own law firm.

[james_law]

A member of CILEX can hold rights of audience, can appear in the County Court , can conduct litigation and can run their own law firm.

So does this include being able to give advice? And if so, they could be sued for giving negligent advice.

[pt2537]

So does this include being able to give advice? And if so, they could be sued for giving negligent advice.

yes, arguably, any one who gives advice in such circumstances can be sued if they are negligent