Horses for Courses
Have you ever wondered what the expression 'horses for courses' actually means? It's an expression that almost all of us have heard at one time or another.
The expression originates from horse owners and trainers who run their horses depending on the conditions of the trace course and conditions. Some horses prefer hard ground, some prefer a soft ground.
This approach is adopted by Wells Burcombe when allocating cases to solicitors. There is little point in having a road traffic solicitor dealt with by a solicitor who has no interest of experience in road traffic cases. There is asking one of our team to review a murder conviction or represent the interests of a client in a murder trial if they don't have the experience to do so. Or worse still, asking one of our criminal law team to advise in a divorce.
Wells Burcombe Solicitors specialise in all aspects of Crime and all matters concerning separation and Divorce (Family Law). Both of these disciplines are different and require a different level of knowledge and expertise. Even under the umbrella of crime, there are different levels of expertise. If a client enquires about a road traffic solicitor matter, the prospective client will be passed to a road traffic solicitor. If an enquiry is received concerning a fraud matter, or otherwise a serious and complex case, a partner of the firm with the necessary knowledge and experience will deal with the case.
Likewise, individual enquires under the umbrella of family law require different levels of knowledge, expertise and input. A prospect client might during a divorce want to ensure that as far as possible his or her assets are protected. Only lawyers with that level of expertise will be allocated.
Partners of the firm Ravi Khumra and Alan Burcombe are instructed regularly in cases concerning the proceeds of crime and confiscation (POCA). Many Lawyers don't properly understand confiscation proceedings which can have devastating consequences. Miss Khumra and Mr Burcombe take on these cases because they understand them, they know what needs to be done and when. Most lawyers capable of dealing with the main criminal proceedings but after conviction and when it comes to dealing with the issue of confiscation, many lawyers are not entirely confident of what to do. The very last thing anyone facing confiscation proceedings wants is to have to serve a consecutive sentence. That is why it is important to ensure that you are properly represented.
Prison law is another area which requires expert representation. Take Recall and Parole as an example. The ideal Parole advisor is not just someone who understands the parole system, but someone who, before the parole board at a parole hearing, is going to argue your case as best as possible; who is going to challenge inaccurate reports and has your progression as the main focal point. A Parole case requires someone to be competent both orally AND in writing. Presenting a case to the Parole Board requires skill, just like defending someone before the outside Judge. Many of the new Parole enquiries Wells Burcombe receive are from clients who are dissatisfied with how reviews have gone before the Parole Board. All of our Parole and Recall advisers have the necessary social, legal and advocacy skills to ensure every chance of release.
Historic prosecutions are another difficult area of the criminal law which require expert representation. There is a temptation in such cases to advise clients to plead guilty, particularly when numerous complainants are involved. These cases are extremely difficult to defend but they can be defended successfully when the right lawyer is instructed. Such cases require a different approach and often require a great deal of investigative work to be carried out by the defence. Cases of this type are on the rise. particularly in the light to the whole Jimmy Saville affair.
The moral of the story is that when it comes representation and choosing the right lawyer, think about what it you are trying to achieve when writing to or calling a lawyer for representation. Do your research. Instruct an expert in the field.