In England and Wales, check the solicitor or firm on the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) register before instructing them. The register can confirm whether they are authorised to practise and may show regulatory information, while the firm should also provide its SRA number and complaints procedure. In Scotland, check the Law Society of Scotland’s directory, and in Northern Ireland use the Law Society of Northern Ireland’s register. If you are unsure about a solicitor’s status or your options, consider speaking to another regulated family-law solicitor.