The legal
system in
Spain is a
complicated
one. There is
however, no
shortage of
lawyers. Most
speak several
languages.
How should
I look for a
lawyer?
There are
a number of
ways where you
can find a
lawyer to suit
your needs.
The best way
is perhaps by
referrals. A
friend,
acquaintance,
your real
estate agent
or even
another lawyer
in your own
country may be
able to refer
you to a
professional
lawyer with
the particular
expertise in
the matter to
be addressed.
Real estate
agents are a
good source of
information
when it comes
to hiring a
lawyer with
expertise and
good
credentials,
specially
those
specialised in
the field of
property
conveyance. In
many law
firms,
different
lawyers
specialise in
different
areas of the
law. If this
is not the
case, a lawyer you have
approached may
be able to
refer you to a
colleague with
a broader
experience or
background in
a particular
field of the
law. This also
applies to a
lawyer with a
good command
of your
language which
will no doubt
help you feel
more
confident.
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From our own experiences however, we can say that not all lawyers in Spain and in particular on the Costa del Sol can be trusted. There are unscrupulous 'lawyers' on the Costa del Sol that think because they have a little knowledge of the law, or often a law degree, that they are above the law and can bend the rules to suit themselves. It can be the case that a lawyer will take on a case in full knowledge that you have no hope in winning and/or defending yourself but there will be a huge fee to be earned by the lawyer(s). It beggars belief how anyone, in any profession can charge 250 euros for writing a letter.
The moral of my advice is to research very carefully before you choose a lawyer in Spain. Ask for an initial consultation, which should be a set, low price or often free. Then walk away and get a second opinion and maybe even a third.
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