No. Kidwells Solicitors uses an online ID verification platform as part of our legally required identity checks and anti-fraud measures. When you agree to instruct us, this ID search can show on your credit report as a “soft check” as it uses Experian and Equifax records as part of the process. This leaves no impact on your credit score (even if you have several “soft checks” in short succession from different sources) and is only used to verify your identity and to prevent fraud.

You can read more about our identity checks and anti-money laundering processes in our client care pack, and our team can answer any questions you have.

These checks are only done after you have instructed us to work on your matter.

Initial enquiries are free and 100% confidential. Depending on the matter and how much detail you have provided us, these initial enquiries can include:

• Broader suggestions on your legal options;
• Advice on whether your matter is ready for legal support (some cases may require you to follow a complaints process, mediation, or other routes before they can be taken to court);
• Other options for your case (such as an Ombudsman); and, in most cases,
• Information on what the legal process would be and how much our costs and third-party fees are likely to be.

We seek to give you as much information as you would need to make the decision about whether working with us would be appropriate for you. If the matter cannot be answered in a couple of sentences by email or text, our team will try to call to give you the best value and opportunity to chat about the matter.

We deal exclusively with private clients and do not accept instructions from legal aid for any department.

Our team will work as quickly as possible to get back to you. The quickest way to get help is to contact us by phone at 01432 278 179. This line is also open 24/7 for urgent matters outside of our office hours, for example, if you have been taken into police custody and need advice.

The time it takes us to reply can depend on the number of other enquiries we have had come in, meetings, court hearings, and other obligations.

If you have already contacted us, the best way to follow up is by telephone so that we can line up your additional comments with your previous enquiry.

Our lawyers, paralegals, and legal assistants work together to help you make the most informed decisions, protect your legal rights, and seek the best outcome possible. And we make sure that your matter is settled in a legally binding way. This is critical even in ‘routine’ legal matters such as employment contracts or wills. Otherwise, just as you rely on the document, you might find out that an important agreement is not binding or does not protect your interests in the way you intended.

If you are in the middle of a legal matter where the other party has already sought legal representation, then you should get legal advice to make sure you are presented and on the same level as the other party. This ensures a fair playing field.

If you are not sure, we can provide insight on if and why legal advice or representation would be helpful to you. If Kidwells Solicitors is not the best option, we may direct you to other services or sources that would be most appropriate.