Local vs National Law Firms
Local Solicitor Giffnock

There is a misconception amongst individuals and corporations who are looking for a law firm that bigger is always better, but this is not the case in every situation.

Just because you have seen a law firm advertising on TV or featured in a high-profile case does not mean that their services are necessarily better suited to your needs than a local firm that operates exclusively in your area.

In fact, for small and medium sized companies in particular, hiring a local lawyer that can easily visit your site, meet you in person, and is aware of the specific challenges faced by local companies in the area is an essential part of their success.

Many in towns and villages across the UK believe falsely that all the good lawyers in the country are based solely in London, but this is far from the case. There are great local law firms with premises all across the nation and once you know where to look you can build a long-lasting and highly productive relationship.

Of course, there are pros and cons of using both local and city law firms but we find that for the vast majority, local is almost always the best route forward. Here are just some of the many reasons why:

Local lawyers can easily visit your property

No matter how talented or successful a lawyer has been in the past, they will not be able to provide your company with the support that you need without an in-depth knowledge of how you operate and the legal challenges that you face.

Rather than attempting to explain your business over the phone, using a local lawyer means that they will be able to visit your premises and see for themselves.

Established relationships in the community

Local will not only build a relationship with you over your time working as a team, but they will already have many connections in the local area from their time working and living there.

Local solicitors know the judges, fellow lawyers, and other major players in the area and these relationships can be critical to building a successful case.

They will also have an in-depth knowledge of any litigation specific to the local area that a big city lawyer sat hundreds of miles away in a tower block probably doesn’t have.

Never underestimate the benefits of personal relationships and local knowledge during the litigation process.

Local knowledge

Extensive past experience of going through legal proceedings in the local area can help a lawyer to gain an edge in cases that could go either way.

A local attorney will know exactly what arguments will go down well with certain judges, and arguments that may stump the opposing counsel who they have dealt with many times before.

They will also know the specific rules of the local court and make sure that they abide by them at all times. There is no easier way to offend a judge before the case has even begun than by breaking a local rule of practice purely because the lawyer was unaware it existed.

Just some of the processes that can vary between different localities include how to get a hearing onto the calendar and who should appear at each stage.

There are so many such rules, and so many local courts, that even a local lawyer will struggle to know them all, but they will have a much better starting knowledge than a lawyer jetting in to represent you for the day.

Law firm reputation

Just because one law firm has a great reputation on the national stage, does not mean that they will be held in higher regard than a local firm in the courtroom.

There are certain law firms, and lawyers, who are highly respected within their local area, by judges, other lawyers, and other legal workers.

Maintaining a positive reputation in their local area is essential to these firms continued success so they will be willing to go the extra mile to put themselves, and you, in the best possible light.

A single case can also have a major impact on the reputation of a Local Solicitor Giffnock, where as it may be water of a duck’s back to a city lawyer, so you will have peace of mind that they will be fighting as hard as possible on your behalf at all times.

Convenient location

One of the biggest benefits, by far, of using a local lawyer is just how easy it is to meet up and discuss your case in person.

No matter if you visit them or they visit you, if there is an emergency, you can meet face-to-face in just a matter of minutes in many situations.

Hopefully, this situation never arises, but just in case, it is highly reassuring to know they are there.