Generally law firms can be categorised as follows:General practice involves working in a small or medium-sized firm, usually less than 20 partners, offering legal advice to the local community. Among other things, lawyers in general practice work on drafting wills, investigating compensation claims for injury victims, helping clients to buy and sell property, representing workers at employment tribunals and representing individuals in family law matters.
- Commercial firms, particularly those in London, specialise in advising large corporates on multi-million pound transactions or disputes. Such firms often have other offices in major financial and commercial centres throughout the country and abroad. Because of their size, breadth of experience and highly qualified staff, they offer advice in numerous areas of law, such as banking, commercial, corporate finance, IP and large scale commercial litigation.
- Niche practices specialise in a particular area of law, for example sports law, where they could find themselves representing footballers or clubs; or media law representing, celebrities and TV personalities in contractual and sponsorship negotiations. Other niche areas may be construction and PFI or family law.
- Legal Aid firms specialise in cases brought by clients who cannot otherwise afford solicitors' fees. Legal Aid solicitors mainly concentrate on advising on the law relating to divorce and child care law, crime and fraud, housing and immigration.
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