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Looking for Legal Advice?

Members of the public, please note that Bristol Law Society does not provide any services or legal advice to the public. There are however many organisations that can assist you and we hope that the following information will help resolve any queries or issues you may be experiencing.

Advice Centres

Citizens Advice Bureau Bristol - a local charity that aims to provide free, independent, impartial, and confidential advice to whoever may need it
Citizens Advice Bureau Bath and North Somerset
Bristol Law Centre – a range of free advice on housing & homelessness, benefits, mental health, employment, and discrimination (Bristol Law Centre will be closed from Friday 22 December to Tuesday 2 January inclusive)
ACFA – The Bristol Advice Centre – see links to member organisations in the city who can assist on a range of matters

Find a Solicitor

The Law Society search

Find a notary

The Notary Society search

Wills & Probate

Solicitors for the Elderly | SFE

Find a will/ grant of probate

The Probate Service
Certainty – the national Will Register

Register a will

Certainty

Register of law firms no longer in existence

If you are looking for a firm of solicitors which is no longer in business, Bristol Law Society keeps limited records for firms in the Bristol & Bath area which have either closed, been closed, or merged with another firm. Please contact info@bristollawsociety.com for enquiries. We may be able to indicate which the successor firm is or where the files have gone or put out a request to our members for info.

A comprehensive list of out-of-practice firms is kept by the Solicitors Regulation Authority for firms in England and Wales. Call them on 0370 606 2555

Complaints against Law Firms

Legal Ombudsman

Court Assistance/ Litigants in Person

Support through Court

Burges Salmon has been an enthusiastic supporter of BLS for many years. BLS provides a valuable role in uniting and promoting the whole of the legal sector across Bristol to benefit both its members and the city. It facilitates collaboration across the sector to ensure that we can all make a difference. Whether that is driving important initiatives in, for example, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and the use of new technologies, liaising with stakeholders and charities in our wider community or providing training to generations of lawyers, the service and support provided by BLS is invaluable. More recently BLS has taken a lead on promoting Bristol’s legal brand, encouraging legal and business services talent to come to the city, which in turn attracts clients and inward investment to our thriving and vibrant commercial community. BLS breaks down barriers and brings those in the profession together for the greater good. We are proud of our long-standing association with BLS.
Roger Bull - Managing Partner, Burges Salmon
Three things to say about my experience of working with Bristol Law Society. Their central team, council members and general hangers-on are just about the nicest, most generous group of people working in the legal sector today. The numerous events, awards, socials and conferences I’ve had the pleasure to attend over the years have been, without exception, top quality and supremely organised. And, thirdly, they consistently exceed and challenge the boundaries of what lawyers might assume a regional Law Society will restrict activities to – from a hugely successful charitable school meals drive to corporate social responsibility and diversity campaigns to being joint architects and coordinators of the region’s unique Bristol+BathLegalTech group, which it has been my privilege to co-chair for the last five years.
Chris Bull - Principal, Edge International
As one of the leading Insurance brokers for law firms in the UK and with a large presence in Bristol it seemed only natural for us to support the Bristol Law Society. Bristol Law Society is one of the oldest and most vibrant of the Law Societies in England and Wales. We are pleased to be working with them on important matters relating to law firms’ liability insurances and Risk Management. From Sole Practitioner to Top 20 law firms we are sure our two organisations can provide excellent support and assistance for the challenges faced by the legal profession.
Matthew Baker - Financial Lines Group, Howden Insurance Brokers Ltd
Joining BLS in 2013 and becoming President in 2018/19 has created many longstanding friendships and business relationships, whilst also unlocking doors to other opportunities in the City. BLS enabled a perfect balance of professional development and also opportunities to give back to the legal and wider community. I am pleased that my Firm has supported BLS in many capacities since 2013 and continues to do so.
Nicholas Lee- Managing Director of Paragon Costs Solutions and Past President of BLS