Seeing a Solicitor in the Age of Social Distancing

For all of us 2020 has been a year unlike any other in living memory – from February onwards we have been forced to adopt new and varying changes in our daily lives: this has ranged from being encouraged to wash our hands frequently, to avoiding physical contact and “social distancing”. Initially, we were asked to stay two metres apart from one another, although this has now been amended to “one metre” or even “one metre plus” (whatever that means!)

However, what has probably been the biggest restriction (if that is the correct word for it) we have had to experience has been the lockdown itself. This is of course in the process of being lifted but there are still certain rules we are expected to adopt when it comes to “social bubbles”. All of these changes to our lives have impacted to a greater or lesser extent on our personal relationships, and we at Greens are already seeing an increase in new enquiries as a result.

People whose relationships are already in difficulty are finding that the year’s additional restrictions are pushing them to breaking point and it follows that as solicitors we need to be there to advise and assist our clients make the right decision as to what to do next.

We have also had to adopt different working practices when it comes to Covid-19, and in the office we have responded in what we believe to be a sufficiently safe way: we have increase the size of some of our breakout rooms; spaced out the staff at their workstations, plus formed our own “bubbles” where our lawyers alternate weeks working at home to working in the office. Every member of staff entering the office has their temperature checked and we have installed new signage and additional sanitising stations.

All of us however are available to represent clients who are in need of assistance but from a safety perspective we are offering clients remote/virtual appointments for the time being as we have to limit the number of people entering the office. Every fee earner has access to Microsoft Teams and Skype, but for people without access to the internet we can also offer a telephone consultation.

It is more important than ever at the moment that you get in touch with us if you are in need of our assistance.

William Ham
Director