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Why we are not phased by the idea of big supermarket chains entering the legal market

Jonathan Winston Jonathan Winston
2 min read

Constantly I hear my fellow family lawyers worried about their future and their family practices. Many practices rely on legal aid and as we all know the government plan to remove legal aid funding for many areas of family law from May next year.

All businesses need to adapt to survive. The legal services market is changing and this is why my role at Winston Solicitors is very different to the traditional solicitor role I have held in the past.

Social media is here to stay. How much did Mark Zuckerberg receive when Facebook went public on the stock market? We need to embrace the same. Before joining Winston Solicitors I saw the advantages of social media and how you can interact with fellow professionals, increase awareness of your services and keep abreast of new changes. I never really had time to read my law gazette when it landed on my desk but I now regularly read tweets and attachments regarding new changes or cases.

At Winston Solicitors we embrace social media. We have several on-line legal services websites. We compete for local and national clients. I no longer have the seven clients in my diary each day that I had at the legal aid practice. For which many were free half four appointments which could easily turn into an hour. I respond to our on-line enquiries. I send them a detailed factsheet so that they understand the implications of their separation with regard to divorce, financial matters and children. We give them this information for free! It shows potential clients that we are thorough, knowledgeable and most importantly we will help them help themselves if that is what they want to do.

We offer many fixed fees and a competitive hourly rate. I sell our firm. I am a family solicitor in a firm of solicitors not a call centre. They are getting the exact same service that they would on the high street but at reduced rates or fixed fees. To understand a client’s needs and offer value for money you need an experienced lawyer. We have a wealth of experience over the years and there is not a lot we haven’t seen, heard or had experience of over our working life and we are able to share this wealth of knowledge with our clients. We are specialists in family law.

We are different to the on-line competition in that we can offer complete confidentiality to our clients. A personal approach is guaranteed and there will be a family solicitor on the end of the phone or by email or twitter to answer queries.

Client feedback

Excellent response times, feel very supported by them, and give good, fair and impartial advice too when needed. Very professional.
Jessica
My Will was written during Wills Month via St Gemma's Hospice. The service was quick and efficient. I have only given 4 stars as there was an error in the original draft.
Anonymous
Found the process smooth and efficient. I was able to get information I required promptly and if not available immediately on the telephone then any messages left were replied to. Siddra Razaq and Tom McIlroy were responsible for the handling of my sale and I would certainly use them again.
"Dianne"
Monika in particular was very professional, efficient, friendly and helpful when drafting our wills
Brian
Very helpful and promptly anwsers emails as soon as.
Anonymous
Many of my family members have used Winstons Solicitors for their conyancing, over many years. I too have now used them and they did not disappoint. Samantha Robertson-Strong and Paulo Dos Santos were my main persons of contact. They were highly professional and very thorough, whilst maintaining an air of friendliness and approachability throughout. I cannot recommend them highly enough!
Mr T
Monika is extremely trustworthy, professional and experienced. Have very much felt in safe hands during a very difficult and stressful time of my life. Would highly recommend.
Zoe
Good Solicitors, helped couple times. Nice comunicion and people
Tadas
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