How can I tell if a lawyer is registered?

I will never forget the email I received which read 'everything's bound to be okay - we used the same asesor as the vendor'. Many British people engage the services of an asesor in the mistaken belief that they are dealing with a professionally qualified and regulated person. In actual fact the term 'asesor' means no more than someone who assesses paperwork. Anyone can use the term asesor, print business cards and start trading. The risks involved in using an unqualified person who is also acting for buyer and seller are obvious. The terms 'solicitor' and 'abogado' are restricted however and must not be used by an unqualified person. It will come as no surprise to learn that I have had dealings with a number of costa blanca advisers claiming to be solicitors who are not qualified at all. Impersonating a solicitor in the UK is a criminal offence and carries heavy penalties. It will be some time before the same sanctions are imposed here in Spain although one can at least check to see whether a person is qualified before instructing them.

If the person you are dealing with calls him or herself a 'solicitor' this means that they need to be registered with the Law Society of England & Wales and hold a current practising certificate. It is very easy to check someone out as the Law Society will confirm a person's status over the telephone (call 00 44 207 242-1222 and ask for records) or go to the Law Society's website www.lawsociety.org.uk and click on 'Find a Solicitor'. If your advisor is an 'abogado' this means that he or she will need to be registered with their local law society known as the 'colegio de abogados'. Each abogado will have their details printed in a book called 'Guía de Abogados' which lists all registered abogados or you can check the website www.icali.es

I trust the above is clear although please feel free to give myself or Carlos Baos a call at any time on +34 966-426-185 if you wish to discuss the above or any other issues.

Marc White LL.B. (English Solicitor) C/Diana 19, 2ºD, 03700 Dénia (located at the Glorieta Square end of Marques de Campo)

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