Legal representation
This content applies to Scotland only.
Housing laws vary between Scotland and England. Get advice relating to England
If you've got a housing problem and you need advice on your legal rights, you may need to see a lawyer. If your case is going to court, you'll probably need a lawyer to represent you. This section explains what you can do yourself, why you might need a lawyer, how you can find one and what different kinds of lawyers do.
If you need legal advice urgently, don't panic. You should be able to get legal representation at short notice, either from a law centre or from a duty solicitor in your local sheriff court. Some of the larger sheriff courts have in-court advice projects.
If you receive official papers telling you that you have to go to court in a hurry, don't just ignore them-this could make the problem worse. Don't pretend that you didn't receive the papers either because that won't work in most cases. If you're in this situation, get further advice immediately.
Representing yourself
If you're thinking about speaking for yourself in court, read this page first to find out if it's possible and get some practical hints and tips. You might be able to get someone else you trust (other than a lawyer) to speak for you. This page explains more.
In-court advice services
Some larger sheriff courts provide in-court advice services. This page explains what they are, how they can help and where to find them.
Law centres
You might be able to get legal advice and representation from a solicitor in a law centre. There are a number of law centres in Scotland. This page explains more.
Solicitors
Solicitors can give you detailed advice on your legal rights and help you with your case. They can also represent you in court if necessary. This page explains more including how to get a solicitor and how they can help you.
Solicitor-advocates and Advocates
If your case is complicated and goes to a higher court, you will need a solicitor-advocate or an Advocate to represent you. This page explains more.
