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Lothian

Solicitors Serving Edinburgh

Alexander James Solicitors accepts enquiries from clients across Edinburgh and the wider Lothian region. Explore 19 practice areas and discuss whether we can assist. Our office is in Manchester; this is a service-area page, not a local branch.

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Your enquiry, carefully considered

A clear first conversation. A practical next step.

Tell us what happened, what you need to resolve and whether a deadline is approaching. You do not need to know the legal terminology or have every document ready to ask for an assessment.

  • Keep key dates, correspondence and any existing reference numbers together.
  • We will explain whether we can help, the proposed scope and the funding or fee arrangements before you instruct us.
Discuss your matter

Legal advice for people and businesses in Edinburgh

Edinburgh is Scotland's capital and a leading European financial centre. Matters arising in the area may involve financial services, fintech, education, private individuals, families, employers, landlords, tenants, directors or regulated organisations. The correct legal strategy depends on the facts and jurisdiction, not simply the client's postcode.

Our registered office is in Manchester. We can advise many Edinburgh clients remotely by telephone, email and video conference. If a hearing, signing appointment or other attendance is necessary, we agree the practical arrangements and any associated cost before the work proceeds. We do not represent that we have an office in Edinburgh.

A matter associated with Edinburgh may be dealt with by the Court of Session, Sheriff Court and the Edinburgh Tribunal Hearing Centre, but specialist or cross-border cases can belong in another court, tribunal, regulator or administrative process. We confirm the forum, applicable law and any immediate deadline during the initial assessment.

Our legal services in Edinburgh

Choose a practice area below to read about how we help Edinburgh clients.

How we assess a new Edinburgh enquiry

Step 1

Conflict and capacity check

We first confirm whether we can consider the matter without a professional conflict and whether an appropriate solicitor has capacity within the relevant deadline.

Step 2

Deadline and forum

We identify any limitation, appeal, notice or hearing date and check whether the Court of Session, Sheriff Court and the Edinburgh Tribunal Hearing Centre or another specialist forum is likely to have jurisdiction.

Step 3

Documents and objectives

We review the core correspondence, agreements, decisions and chronology, then clarify the result the client in Edinburgh is trying to achieve.

Step 4

Scope and written costs

If the matter is suitable, we define the first stage, charging basis, likely third-party expenses and exclusions in writing before accepting instructions.

Other locations in the region

    Solicitors serving Edinburgh: frequently asked questions

    Do you have an office in Edinburgh?
    Our registered office is in Manchester. We serve clients connected with Edinburgh remotely and arrange attendance where a matter requires it. We do not claim to operate a local office in Edinburgh.
    Can I instruct your solicitors if I live or work in Edinburgh?
    Potentially, yes. We first confirm the practice area, jurisdiction, conflicts, deadline and capacity. A connection with Edinburgh does not by itself prevent us from acting, but some matters require a solicitor qualified or authorised for a different jurisdiction.
    Which legal services do you offer to Edinburgh clients?
    The service directory on this page covers 19 areas, including litigation, immigration, employment, family, property, corporate and regulatory work. Availability depends on the facts and the firm's current capacity.
    Which court handles cases from Edinburgh?
    the Court of Session, Sheriff Court and the Edinburgh Tribunal Hearing Centre may handle some local work. The correct venue can instead be a specialist tribunal, regulator, appeal body or court elsewhere, so we check jurisdiction before any filing or attendance.
    Can consultations for Edinburgh clients take place remotely?
    Yes. Many initial consultations and ongoing updates can take place by telephone or secure video meeting, supported by email document exchange. We confirm any need for physical attendance separately.
    How quickly should I seek legal advice in Edinburgh?
    Seek advice as soon as you become aware of a deadline, decision, notice, hearing or dispute. Some legal time limits are short and vary by procedure. Sending an enquiry does not pause a deadline or mean that the firm has accepted the case.
    What documents should I send with a new Edinburgh enquiry?
    Start with the key agreement, notice, decision, recent correspondence and a short chronology. Avoid sending unnecessary sensitive material until we explain the secure process and confirm what is needed.
    How are legal fees quoted for clients in Edinburgh?
    If we can accept the instruction, we provide a written scope and charging basis. A defined task may be suitable for a fixed fee; uncertain or contested work may be charged by time. Court, expert, counsel and other third-party costs are identified where reasonably foreseeable.
    Do you provide Legal Aid services in Edinburgh?
    No. Enquiries through this website are for privately funded work. People seeking public funding should use an official adviser directory to identify a provider holding the appropriate Legal Aid contract.
    Does Scotland law apply because I am based in Edinburgh?
    Not necessarily. Applicable law and jurisdiction can depend on the location of the property, employer, contract, decision-maker, event or other party. We check this rather than relying only on the client's address.
    Can you act urgently for a Edinburgh client?
    We can assess stated urgency, but acceptance depends on conflicts checks, the legal issue, available evidence and solicitor capacity. Include every known deadline in the enquiry and do not assume we are acting until written confirmation is issued.
    Can you take over a case already under way near Edinburgh?
    Possibly. We need the current file, procedural stage, next deadline and details of any existing solicitor. A late transfer may not be practical if there is insufficient time to review the matter properly.
    Will a solicitor attend a hearing in or near Edinburgh?
    Where attendance is required, we decide whether the instructed solicitor, a barrister or an approved local agent is appropriate. The arrangement, responsibilities and cost are confirmed before attendance is booked.
    How do you protect confidential information from Edinburgh clients?
    We use access-controlled systems and handle personal information according to our privacy notice and professional duties. Identity, anti-money-laundering and source-of-funds checks may be required before work starts.
    What happens after I contact the firm from Edinburgh?
    We review the summary, check conflicts and suitability, and confirm whether a consultation can be offered. If so, we explain its scope, format, availability and fee. A solicitor-client relationship begins only after formal acceptance and engagement steps.