If you need legal help and advice at this time of year, then you’re probably struggling to see a solicitor. No matter how often you ring, or however many solicitors you contact, it seems like they are all fully booked up, and you just can’t get an appointment.

Here’s why solicitors are so busy at the moment.

1. Solicitors are often busy at this time of year because there is a lot usually a lot going on in the legal profession. New laws come into effect, there are changes to existing laws, perhaps trading laws or employment laws change, and there can be criminal cases to be heard as a result of the Christmas break.
2. This time of year sees a lot of applications for divorce. This is because affairs or other infidelities will become apparent. Perhaps somebody will speak out of turn, or a receipt will turn up and show that a partner has cheated.
3. In addition, New year’s Resolutions can mean that people want to break out of their old routine, and perhaps start their own business, or move house. They might need legal advice to do this.
4. In some families, the parents are only staying together for the children. Once the Christmas holidays are over, and life returns to normal, the same problems that caused the difficulties before Christmas return. This can cause couple to separate, and force children to have to choose with parent to live with. Family law solicitors are usually exceptionally busy in the first months of the new year.
5. Many families have money worries at this time of year. Perhaps they have overspent in order to please their children, or they might have been made redundant. If they need legal as well as financial advice, then they’ll want to see a solicitor as soon as they can.
6. Some people will be starting new jobs, or moving to different parts of the country. They might want to have their contract checked by an employment law solicitor, or want to know more about renting out their home before moving to another part of the country.
7. Many companies will have taken on temporary staff in the run up to the festive period. Perhaps you’ve been a temporary worker and want to make sure that there have been no breeches of contract, or are an employer and want to take on some of these workers permanently.
8. Some companies will be changing employment contracts, perhaps due to needing to reduce staff working hours, or perhaps to employ new staff. These contracts will need to be checked by an employment law solicitor so that they are legal.
9. Lots of people will also be buying or selling homes or moving to new business premises in the New Year. This is another reason why residential conveyancing solicitors are so busy.
10. If the weather is bad, then there might be more accidents than normal. Personal injury specialists will be working hard for their clients as they try and get the compensation they deserve, and flights and other transportation might be delayed or canceled causing chaos for those needing to travel.

Now you know more about why they are so busy at this time of year, if your case isn’t urgent, perhaps you’ll leave it a while before you contact a firm of solicitors.