Lawyers in Glasgow: Which Solicitor Do You Need?
This page helps you find the right kind of lawyer in Glasgow. In Scotland most people start with a solicitor, who gives advice, handles paperwork and negotiations, and represents clients in many courts. Solicitors usually specialise, so the first step is working out which area of law your problem falls into.
Use the sections below to match your situation to one of our twelve practice area guides, each with editorially assessed firm listings. We do not accept payment for rankings; you can read how we rank to see the evidence we use. You will also find a short explanation of solicitors and advocates, the main Glasgow courts and tribunals, and how legal fees and legal aid work in Scotland.
Editorial shortlists
Top-ranked Glasgow solicitors by legal service
The three highest-ranked firms in each category, based on published evidence. Follow a category for the full shortlist, the evidence behind it and a guide to that area of law.
Which type of solicitor do you need in Glasgow?
Most Glasgow law firms cover several areas, but individual solicitors tend to specialise. Start with the area closest to your problem.
Family law and divorce
Family solicitors deal with separation, arrangements for children, cohabitation and disputes about money and property when a relationship ends. See family law solicitors in Glasgow for the wider range of family matters, or divorce lawyers in Glasgow if you are ending a marriage or civil partnership.
Criminal defence
If you have been asked to attend a police interview, have been charged or have a court date, you need a criminal defence solicitor. Our guide to criminal defence solicitors in Glasgow explains your rights at interview, the Procurator Fiscal and the Glasgow criminal courts.
Buying, selling or remortgaging property
Scotland has its own house buying process, with notes of interest, closing dates and missives. Compare conveyancing solicitors in Glasgow for residential sales, purchases and remortgages.
Problems at work
Employment law is reserved to the UK Government, so most of the rules are the same across Great Britain, but claims in Scotland are heard by employment tribunals sitting in Scotland, including in Glasgow. See employment law solicitors in Glasgow for dismissal, discrimination and other workplace disputes, whether you are an employee or an employer.
Accidents and injuries
If you have been hurt in a road accident, at work or in a public place because of someone else's fault, see personal injury solicitors in Glasgow. Scottish time limits and funding rules apply.
Harm caused by medical treatment
Claims about NHS or private healthcare need specialist advice and expert evidence. Our guide to medical negligence solicitors in Glasgow explains what must be proved and how the NHS complaints procedure fits in.
Wills and planning ahead
To make or update a will, or to plan how your estate will pass, see wills and estate planning solicitors in Glasgow.
Dealing with an estate after a death
When someone dies, their executor often needs confirmation, a document from the sheriff court that gives the executor authority to collect and distribute the estate. See executry solicitors in Glasgow for help with confirmation and winding up an estate.
Business matters
For company formation, contracts, commercial property and other business needs, see commercial solicitors in Glasgow.
Immigration and visas
Immigration and nationality are reserved to Westminster, so the law is UK-wide, though appeals for people in Scotland can be heard in Glasgow. See immigration solicitors in Glasgow for visas, settlement, citizenship and asylum.
Disputes and court claims
For disagreements over money, contracts, neighbours or services, see dispute resolution solicitors in Glasgow. Claims of £5,000 or less generally use Simple Procedure in the sheriff court, and claims of £100,000 or less must be raised in the sheriff court rather than the Court of Session.
Solicitors and advocates in Scotland: what is the difference?
"Lawyer" is a general term. In Scotland you will usually instruct a solicitor first. Solicitors are regulated by the Law Society of Scotland, and they advise clients directly, handle transactions and represent people in the sheriff courts and Justice of the Peace courts.
Some solicitors become solicitor advocates, with extended rights of audience in the higher courts, such as the Court of Session for civil cases and the High Court of Justiciary for criminal cases. Advocates are members of the Faculty of Advocates, an independent referral bar. As a general rule they do not take instructions from the public directly; your solicitor instructs an advocate when a case needs one.
The Glasgow court and tribunal landscape
- Glasgow Sheriff Court and Justice of the Peace Court, 1 Carlton Place, handles civil, criminal and commissary business. Commissary work includes confirmation of executors.
- The High Court of Justiciary in Glasgow sits at the Justiciary Buildings in the Saltmarket and hears the most serious criminal cases. Glasgow is one of its main locations, alongside Edinburgh.
- Glasgow Tribunals Centre, 20 York Street, hears employment tribunal claims, immigration and asylum appeals and benefits appeals.
- The All-Scotland Sheriff Personal Injury Court, at Edinburgh Sheriff Court, deals with many injury claims from Glasgow, and higher value civil cases may go to the Court of Session.
How to choose a solicitor in Glasgow
Look for a solicitor who regularly handles your kind of problem, explains things clearly and is open about costs from the start. Our guide to choosing a solicitor in Scotland goes into more detail, and the A to Z of law firms lists every firm we cover. Questions to ask at a first meeting:
- How often do you deal with cases like mine?
- Who will handle my case day to day?
- What are the likely next steps and timescales?
- How will you charge, and can I have that in writing?
- Am I likely to be eligible for legal aid?
Legal fees, funding and legal aid in Scotland
Solicitors set their own fees, so always ask for a written explanation of how you will be charged. Common arrangements include fixed fees for defined pieces of work, charges based on time spent and, in injury claims, success fee agreements, the Scottish form of no win no fee.
The Scottish Legal Aid Board funds several kinds of help. Advice and assistance covers early advice for people on lower incomes, sometimes with a contribution. Civil legal aid can fund court cases where you pass the financial test and the Board is satisfied that you have probable cause and that it is reasonable to grant aid. Criminal legal aid funds defence work where the financial and interests of justice tests are met. SLAB publishes an online eligibility estimator.
How this directory assesses law firms
We assess Glasgow firms against published evidence, such as the services they describe, their regulatory status and the information they make available to clients. We do not sell rankings. Rankings are a starting point, not a guarantee, so always check a firm directly before you instruct it. Read how we rank for the full method.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a lawyer and a solicitor in Scotland?
Lawyer is a general word for a legal professional. In Scotland the lawyer most people deal with is a solicitor, regulated by the Law Society of Scotland, who advises clients directly and represents them in many courts. Advocates are a separate branch of the profession, members of the Faculty of Advocates, who are usually instructed through a solicitor.
Do I need a solicitor or an advocate?
Start with a solicitor. A solicitor can advise you, handle negotiations and represent you in the sheriff court and Justice of the Peace court. If your case goes to a higher court, such as the Court of Session or the High Court of Justiciary, your solicitor may act as a solicitor advocate or instruct an advocate from the Faculty of Advocates.
Where are the main courts in Glasgow?
Glasgow Sheriff Court and Justice of the Peace Court is at 1 Carlton Place and deals with civil, criminal and commissary business. The High Court of Justiciary sits at the Justiciary Buildings in the Saltmarket. Glasgow Tribunals Centre at 20 York Street hears employment tribunal claims, immigration and asylum appeals and benefits appeals.
Is employment and immigration law different in Scotland?
Mostly not. Employment law and immigration are reserved to the UK Parliament, so the main rules are the same across Great Britain or the UK. Claims and appeals for people in Scotland are heard by tribunals sitting in Scotland, including at Glasgow Tribunals Centre. Other areas covered on this site, such as conveyancing, criminal procedure and civil court procedure, follow Scottish rules.
Can I get legal aid for my problem in Scotland?
Possibly. The Scottish Legal Aid Board funds advice and assistance, civil legal aid and criminal legal aid, each with its own tests. Civil legal aid, for example, depends on your finances, whether you have probable cause and whether it is reasonable to grant aid. SLAB has an online eligibility estimator, and a solicitor can make the application for you.
How are the law firms on this site ranked?
Firms are assessed editorially against published evidence, such as the services they describe and their regulatory status. We do not accept payment for rankings. A ranking is a starting point, not a guarantee of service or outcome, so always contact a firm directly before instructing it. Our how we rank page sets out the full method.