7 Different types of lawyers and what they do

Lawyers, we all need them at some point in our lives whether it’s when starting a new business, buying a property, or filling a personal injury claim.

The number of tasks that ‘lawyers’ perform is so extensive that boiling the job title down into a single profession is far too simple.

In reality, there are many different types of lawyer, all of which are experts in a slightly different part of the law and perform different duties on behalf of their clients.

Throughout your life you will almost certainly deal with at least a few of the lawyers on this list.

Criminal lawyers

Perhaps the first thing that springs to mind when you picture a lawyer in your head. A criminal lawyer Edinburgh is responsible with defending their client against criminal charges, ranging from anything as minor as a road traffic offence to the most serious crimes such as murder.

To be successful in this role you need to be able to keep calm under pressure, deal with highly emotive situations, and have an exceptional knowledge of criminal case law and existing legislation.

Real Estate Lawyer

Real estate lawyers are the lawyers that most people are most likely to deal with. They specialise in all things property law and will help to oversee the transaction of buying or selling a home.

If you intend to be part of a property transaction in the near future, you should make sure to consult with a lawyer at the very least before proceeding.

Family lawyers

Family lawyers deal with things such as divorce settlements, child contact agreements, and adoption proceedings.

They are less likely to appear in court than other lawyers on this list as mediation is often preferred in cases that are incredibly emotional and stressful for all involved.

Personal Injury Lawyer

If you have been injured in the workplace you could be eligible for compensation and personal injury lawyers are the ones that will help you get the justice that you deserve.

Without personal injury lawyers, victims of employer negligence would be far more likely to be swept under the carpet, especially when larger companies with extensive in-house legal teams are involved.

Employment lawyers

Employment lawyers work with both employers and employees, overseeing contractual agreements and guarding workers against workplace discrimination.

They will often be involved in unfair dismissal cases and help protect the employment rights of their clients.

Human Rights lawyers

You guessed it, human rights lawyers ensure that the fundamental human rights that we are all legally entitled to are not breached by companies, individuals, Governments, or anyone else. They will also often work with Human rights groups, Government agencies, and NGOs to ensure human rights are protected globally and as many safeguards are in place as possible.

Extradition Lawyers

Extradition lawyers are experts in international law and protect those subject to an extradition request from a foreign nation to the UK. They will represent their clients in extradition hearings and help to file appeals if required.