Reasons to become a consultant

No. Setfords does not charge a joining fee.  What You Will Need to Pay  The only upfront cost when joining is a refundable deposit for your hardware:  Both deposits are fully refundable on return of the equipment in full working order. For more detail on the hardware Setfords provides, take a look at our guide to what

Consultants at Setfords are expected to have the appropriate level of experience to work independently. This is one of the reasons we require a minimum of 5 years’ post-qualification experience before joining, as covered in our guide to experience requirements.  Compliance Support and File Reviews  Working independently doesn’t mean working without support. Our compliance team is on hand to

Getting set up as a consultant solicitor doesn’t require a significant hardware investment. Here’s what you’ll need to provide yourself, and what Setfords takes care of.  What You Need to Provide  You’ll need to have the following in place before you go live:  What Setfords Provides  Setfords provides a desk phone as standard, along with an optional dictaphone. Our IT team will assist you in

Yes. As a consultant solicitor at Setfords, you have full control over your working hours.  Work Around Your Life  There are no set hours to stick to. Whether you prefer an early start, a shorter working week or a schedule built around other commitments, consultancy gives you the freedom to structure your days in a

Often, yes. The fee share model typically results in higher net earnings compared to traditional salaried roles, as you can earn a higher percentage of your billings.  How the Numbers Work  In a traditional employed role, your salary is fixed regardless of how much you bill. With the consultancy model, your earnings are directly tied

Yes. Setfords consultants are welcome to work part time or flexibly, including reduced hours or semi-retirement.  No Billing Targets  One of the key features of the Setfords model is that there are no billing targets. You’re not under pressure to hit a certain number each month. This means you can structure your working life in a way

No. Setfords consultants are welcome to undertake most other work outside of their practice at Setfords.  What This Means in Practice  This includes being a consultant at most other platform law firms. The flexibility to work across more than one firm is one of the practical advantages of the consultancy model, and Setfords doesn’t stand in the

Yes. Internal referrals are actively encouraged at Setfords and can be a useful way to generate additional income alongside your core practice.  How Referrals Work  When a client comes to you with a matter outside your area of specialism, you can refer that work to another consultant within the firm. This keeps the client within the Setfords

Knowing when you’ll see money in your account is an important practical consideration when moving to consultancy. At Setfords, the process is straightforward.  How the Payment Process Works  Once a client’s bill has been paid, you can invoice Setfords for your fees. From there, you’ll be paid within a maximum of thirty working days, though most payments are made

No. While Setfords is one of the largest providers of conveyancing services in the UK, we are a full-service law firm with experts across all major areas of law.  More Than Conveyancing  Property is a significant part of what we do, but it’s far from the whole picture. Setfords has the largest consultant Family and Private Client

One of the realities of consultancy is that taking time off requires a bit more planning than in a traditional employed role. The good news is that at Setfords, you have several options.  Your Options for Holiday Cover  Inform your clients in advance – For some practice areas, the simplest option is to let your clients know the dates you’ll be

Setfords is a full-service law firm supporting a wide range of practice areas. Whether you’re a conveyancer, a family lawyer or a corporate specialist, there’s a place for you here.  Practice Areas We Support  Our consultants currently practise across the following areas:  A full list of the practice areas we cover can be found on our website.  If your

No, you do not need to set up a limited company to become a consultant solicitor at Setfords, but you can if you’d like to.  How It Works  Consultants at Setfords operate under the Setfords SRA entity. This means you don’t need your own legal structure in place before you join. The compliance and regulatory framework is already there for you. 

No. As a consultant solicitor at Setfords, you are responsible for covering the cost of your own practising certificate.  What Is a Practising Certificate?  A practising certificate is a mandatory annual requirement for all solicitors in England and Wales, issued by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). Without one, you cannot legally practise as a solicitor. The cost

If you’re considering making the move to consultancy, it helps to know what the journey to getting started actually looks like. At Setfords, the process is straightforward, efficient and entirely remote-friendly. You won’t need to visit us in person at any point, unless you want to.  The Joining Process  The process typically follows these steps:  What to Expect  The process is designed to be as

Yes. When you join Setfords, you’ll receive comprehensive onboarding training for all our systems and processes. And if you ever need a refresher down the line, that’s available too.  What to Expect When You Join  Starting with a new firm means getting to grips with new systems. At Setfords, that process is supported from day one. Your onboarding training

Yes. Setfords holds Law Society Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS) accreditation.  What Is CQS Accreditation?  The Conveyancing Quality Scheme is a recognised quality standard for residential conveyancing practices, awarded by the Law Society. It signals to clients and lenders alike that a firm meets a rigorous set of standards around technical expertise, client service and practice management.  Not every

Yes. Setfords is on all major UK lender panels, making it suitable for both residential and commercial conveyancing work.  Why This Matters  For conveyancing solicitors, panel membership is essential. Lender panels are lists of approved solicitors and law firms that mortgage lenders will work with. If a firm isn’t on a lender’s panel, it cannot act for