Independent lawyer – this is how a local practicing lawyer is called; where listed as “independent solicitor” or “independent barrister” in most legal systems. This means that they are bona-fide and do not perform permanent legal representation of certain parties only, where could be in a conflict with your own interests (for example you could be the property buyer, but the lawyer – working for the developer without telling you that there is actual conflict of interests). Bona-fide lawyers, operating as independent ones, will always act only on behalf of one of the parties.