How to choose a good lawyer?

[monty0703]

A friend went to 2 different lawyers with regards to a property dispute and was given different and opposing advice by each one. How does she know which is right (rhetorical Q really). How do you go about choosing a property lawyer?

[Eve]

Hard to know unless the circumstances and advice given are known.

I'd also query what kind of and the extent of the advice and on what basis and with what knowledge the lawyers were advising as a brief phonecall could be a lot different from a considered view with full knowledge of all the circumstances.

Sometimes there is more than one possible solution to a problem.

I guess it also depends on what the client wants (and if they have been asked) as the solution should be tailored to the client as much as possible taking into account all kinds of things.

It's also possible one is wrong.

Can you give more details?

If that is not possible then your friend could ask about the experience and knowldge of the lawyer in the specific area involved or even question each one as to the opposing advice they got.

Word of mouth is one of the best recommendations if they can find someone who can recommend someone good eg a forum on boundary disputes or similar.

[monty0703]

thanks for your answer Jenna. My friend had a consultation (or whatever it's called) with 2 different lawyers. Basically she wants to know where she stands with a family member who jointly put in to buy a council house and then did not pay her back (she loaned him the money to put in for the house) the full amount. She asked the lawyers whether, on the sale of the house, he is entitled only to his money back or the percentage of what his money is worth. Does that make sense?

One lawyer said that he is entitled to a percentage while another said that he was only entitled to the amount he paid in. There was no contract.

As you can see, it's a bit complicated...