Glossary of Categories of Work

Accidents (including personal injuries)
  
Agriculture & farming
 
  • milk quotas
  • grants
  • animal health
  • single farm payment scheme
see also environmental law, land and property disputes, trusts tax and financial planning
Alternative dispute resolution
 
  • mediation
  • arbitration
  • adjudication
  • conciliation
  • negotiation
Bankruptcy & Insolvency
 
  • debt management
  • personal and corporate insolvency
  • liquidations
  • administration
  • receivership
  • arrangements with creditors - voluntary arrangements
Business advice/corporate law
 
  • business startups
  • banking and insurance law
  • partnerships
  • company law
  • shares and shareholders
  • directors and company officers
  • mergers and acquisitions
  • joint ventures
  • franchising
  • agency and commercial contracts
  • competition law
Charities law
  
Commercial litigation
 Business disputes arising out of
  • supply of goods and services
  • construction, engineering and other commercial contracts
  • warranties and guarantees
  • product liability
Computer & ICT law
 
  • data protection
  • internet and domain name disputes
  • E-commerce
  • freedom of information
Consumer law
 
  • sale of goods and hire purchase
  • consumer protection
  • product liability
  • consumer credit
see also bankruptcy and insolvency
Conveyancing - commercial
  
Conveyancing - overseas & timeshares
  
Conveyancing - residential
  
Criminal injuries & criminal damage compensation
  
Criminal law
 
  • criminal process and procedure
  • Magistrates' Court and Crown Court
  • police interviews, warrants, summonses, bail, custody, trials etc
  • criminal offences eg. motoring, theft, assault, sexual offences, fraud, public order, terrorism etc.
  • ASBOs
  • young offenders
  • prisoners
Debt & money problems
  
Domestic violence
  
Education
 
  • Special Education Needs
  • admissions criteria
  • school exclusions and suspensions
  • school transport
see also welfare rights
Employment law & tribunals
  
Enforcement of judgements
  
Environmental law
 
  • pollution control
  • environmental protection
  • conservation
  • waste and contaminated land
Equality & discrimination
 
  • equality
  • religious belief
  • racial group
  • age
  • marital status
  • sexual orientation
  • disability
European & International law
  
Family law - children
 
  • contact, residence
  • child abduction
  • adoption
  • care/supervision orders
  • wardship
  • child support and maintenance
Family law - general
 
  • divorce and separation
  • financial provision
  • pre-nuptial agreements
  • cohabitation
  • civil partnerships
Housing
 
  • landlord and tenant
  • rent
  • repairs
  • eviction
  • homelessness
for house sales, purchases, mortgages and co-ownership see conveyancing - residential
Immigration & asylum
  
Inquests & inquiries
  
Insurance
  
Intellectual property
 
  • copyright
  • designs
  • patents
  • trademarks
Judicial review
 
  • challenging the legality of decisions of public authorities and bodies
Land & property disputes
 
  • rights of way
  • boundary and neighbour disputes
  • title
  • business tenancies
  • rating valuations
  • restrictive covenants
  • Lands Tribunal
  • rent review
see also conveyancing and housing
Legal Aid
  
Libel & slander
  
Licensing
 
  • liquor
  • betting gaming & lotteries
  • bookmakers
  • entertainment
Mental health
 
  • mental incapacity
  • Office of Care and Protection
  • Mental Health Review Tribunal
  • Enduring Powers of Attorney
Planning
 
  • planning applications and appeals
  • compulsory acquisition
  • vesting
Professional negligence
  
Trusts, tax & financial planning
 
  • investment business*
  • equity release
  • pensions
  • asset structuring and disposal
  • tax law
Welfare rights
 
  • Social Security benefits
  • Appeal Tribunal assistance
  • State Pension
  • Student loans or grants
  • Nursing and residential care
Wills, probate & intestacy
 
  • drafting of wills
  • administration of estates on death
  • estate and inheritance tax planning
see also trusts, tax and financial planning

Note:# Many solicitors will provide advice and guidance on personal and business debt to both debtors and creditors. However only solicitors who are authorised by the Society as Insolvency Practitioners under the Insolvency (NI) Order 1989 may accept appointments to be Trustees in Bankruptcy; Trustees in the Administration of Insolvent Companies; or to act as Supervisors of Individual Voluntary Arrangements.

* Solicitors in Northern Ireland are not authorised to provide Financial Services which are regulated by the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, unless they arise out of, or are complementary to, the provision of other professional services. Regulated Financial Services includes mainstream investment business; general insurance mediation activities and advising on general insurance products and regulated mortgage activities. Solicitors may make referrals or introductions to Independent Financial Advisors and may endorse their advice in relation to mortgages and of course undertake the legal work necessary in relation to mortgages and other financial products.