Verification methodology

1. Where the directory stands

• The professionals directory is not open yet. This page explains how listings will be checked before it opens.
• Only lawyers whose registration can be checked in a public register can apply. An adviser registered with the Immigration Advice Authority (IAA) is not a lawyer and is not listed under that title; other adviser types are not accepted in this first version.
• Lawyers on a Turkish bar roll are not listed. Applications are accepted only for the United Kingdom and the United States.

2. Which register is checked

England and Wales, solicitors

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) register.

England and Wales, barristers

The Bar Standards Board register.

Scotland

The Law Society of Scotland.

Northern Ireland

The Law Society of Northern Ireland.

United States

The bar of the state where the lawyer is admitted: current active status, and that the person applying is the person on the record. One state’s search does not stand for all states.

For US lawyers the list of practitioners disciplined by the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) is checked as well. It is only an extra check: not appearing on it does not show that someone holds a licence, so a verification can never rest on an EOIR page alone. The system refuses to record one that does.

3. What a check records

Every check is a separate record that is never overwritten. It holds:

• the register page that was checked (and any additional sources);
• which fields were compared, such as name, registration number and status;
• the date of the check and the reviewer who did it;
• the decision and its reason;
• the date the next check is due.

A reviewer cannot verify their own application. Reviewing professionals is a separate role from moderating the community.

Not checked and shown as the professional’s own description: practice areas, languages, firm description and fees. GTJ adds no cases, awards or success rates it has not checked.

4. From application to listing

An application is a draft, then submitted, then in review. The reviewer may ask for more information. It ends as verified or rejected; a verification can later expire or be suspended.

Once the directory opens, a professional is listed only while all three are true:

1. the registration check is in force;
2. the profile text has been approved;
3. the professional has agreed to be published, which they can withdraw at any time.

• A verification is due for a new check 90 days after the last one, and GTJ checks again after a complaint or a change of status. 90 days is GTJ’s own choice, not a legal rule.
• If a licence has expired or been suspended, the listing is hidden.

5. What “registration checked” means

It means GTJ found the professional’s entry in the named register on the date shown, with the jurisdiction and registration number shown next to it and a link to the register so you can look yourself.

It does not mean:

• that GTJ rates the professional’s quality, results, fees or fit for your case;
• approval by a government, or endorsement by the SRA or any regulator. GTJ does not reproduce any regulator’s logo or badge.

6. What a listing does not depend on

• Applying for verification and seeing the result costs nothing.
• A listing does not depend on contact requests, and GTJ takes no referral fee and no share of any legal fee.
• Nobody can pay for a better position. The directory order is neutral and does not use words such as “best” or “recommended”.

7. Contacting a professional

• Contact always starts with the member. A professional cannot browse members or ask for files.
• Before sending a contact request you see exactly what will be shared: your name, your e-mail address and a short message. No document, CV or workspace is attached.
• The request goes by e-mail to that professional only. GTJ cannot recall or delete the copy they receive.
• A contact request is not confidential or privileged and does not by itself create a lawyer-client relationship.

8. Complaints and challenges

• Members can report a listing from the professional’s profile in the app. A complaint about a professional goes to the verification queue, not to community moderation, and the member can follow its status.
• Anyone, with or without an account, can use the contact form.
• An applicant who disagrees with a decision can reply with more information or ask for the decision to be looked at again through the contact form.

Contact form, no sign-in needed