Q. Do Hewitts offer free consultations?

A. Yes, we do for many areas of legal advice and these are made by prior appointment. When arranging an appointment, please enquire about our free advice scheme and we will ensure that the first half hour of your appointment is free.

Q. Will I be able to find out how much Hewitts Services will cost?

A. Yes, so far as we are able to estimate any costs to be incurred. You will be advised in writing of how our charges work and what our charge-out rate is. We will do our best to give you an estimate of cost and we will update you regularly as the matter progresses.

Q. Can I set my own limit on cost?

A. Yes. We are happy to agree a limit on costs and will not exceed that limit without obtaining your consent first.

Q. Will I get public funding (legal aid)?

A. If you are financially eligible and your case falls within the category for which legal aid is available, then we will advise you under the legal advice scheme initially and will make an application for legal aid as soon as possible.

Q. Can I instruct solicitors on a 'No Win No Fee' basis?

A. Conditional Fee Agreements, or 'No Win No Fee' Agreements as they are known, are available for certain types of work. They are available for personal injury work and employment and in some other areas giving rise to legal problems. It is important to check with the solicitor details of the terms in which you are instructing them on a 'No Win No Fee' basis. At Hewitts we will be happy to give advice in this regard.

Q. Do Hewitts carry out home visits?

A. Yes we recognise that for some clients, visits to our offices can be difficult and in these cases home visits can be made by prior appointment.

Q. Do Hewitts see clients at their business premises?

Yes, we recognise that your time is important and that it is often cost effective for us to come to your premises. A business visit can be made by prior appointment.

Q. Do your offices have wheelchair access?

A. All of our offices do except Darlington. If Darlington is your local office please call us and we will make alternative arrangements for you.

Q. Do you provide service by email?

A. Regrettably we cannot offer legal advice via email although we are happy to provide quotes by email from our Conveyancing and Will services and we are happy to correspond with clients via email if that is their preferred mode of communication.

Q. Can we see a solicitor out of hours?

A. We recognise our clients' working commitments and we endeavour to be as flexible as possible in arranging appointments. We often see clients after 5pm or arrange telephone conferences to accommodate clients' inability to access the office on business hours. In addition, our criminal lawyers are members of the 24 Hour Duty Solicitor Scheme and are available to give emergency advice outside of normal office hours.