Frequently Asked Questions
How is this different from legal advice?
This service provides document preparation, organisation, and practical support, not legal advice. Legal interpretation and advice are not provided. Instead, material is organised, documentation is prepared clearly, and effective preparation is completed so that legal advice can be used efficiently when required.
How does payment for services work?
Two payment structures are available:
Hourly work – for clearly defined tasks, where each task is agreed and approved in advance. Planning, invoicing, and task management are included in the rate. No additional charges apply for internal administration.
Retainers – a forward commitment for flexible access, up to 10 hours per month. Forward commitment ensures availability, with no need to approve individual tasks. Retainers are limited in number and offer a discounted rate in return for forward commitment.
Both options provide clarity and structure. The choice depends on whether task-by-task approvals or ongoing access are preferred.
How long does typical work take?
Timescales vary depending on complexity. Document review may take a few days or hours. Comprehensive material preparation may take several weeks. Realistic timescales are provided during discussion of specific requirements. There is a difference between elapsed time and billed time:
A task may cost a few billable hours, but complete over a period of a few days.
Can you work alongside my solicitor?
Yes. Work is often conducted in collaboration with legal teams, bridging technical legal requirements and practical implementation. This can increase solicitor efficiency and potentially reduce overall costs.
What if I'm not sure whether I need a solicitor yet?
This service is particularly useful at this stage. Situations are organised, material is reviewed to understand what is being dealt with, and documentation is prepared to support informed decisions about whether and when to instruct legal representation.
How do you ensure confidentiality?
All client material is handled with complete discretion. End-to-end encrypted file transfers are used, along with zero-knowledge storage systems. Fully offline work is available when required. Information is never shared with third parties or processed through AI systems without explicit consent.
What types of situations are typically handled?
Work covers commercial disputes, broken obligations, contract negotiations, business breakdowns, evidence collation, and other situations where clear documentation and measured communication are crucial.
Do you work with individuals as well as businesses?
Yes. Both businesses and individuals are supported. For businesses, work typically involves contract review and drafting, dispute preparation, or organisation and explanation of complex commercial situations before engaging legal counsel. For individuals, the focus is often on protecting position within commercial or professional contexts. In both cases, order and clarity are brought to material.
Are there areas you don't work in?
Yes. Guidance can be provided, but clients are not accepted for Family Law issues concerning probate, vulnerable persons, children, domestic violence, abuse, or immigration.
These require specialist intervention, assistance and coordination across multiple organisations and bodies from the outset. They often involve early or urgent legal help, well before any need for documentation, explanation, or preparation for considered legal action or responding to the threat of legal action.
Tax and customs are another area where specialist knowledge and help are required. Work is available to help with understanding and explanation, but the sector is well served with accountants, planners and advisers.
How do I get started?
Free consultations or taster sessions are not offered. An hour must be booked as a client. That time is used to find clarity and direction.
Many law firms provide free initial calls, designed to introduce services, confirm whether cases can be taken, and identify conflicts of interest. This is useful, and may provide a feel for the situation, but it is not the same as 60 minutes of practical help towards clarity and confidence in next steps.
Information gathering is not required for the first call or meeting.
Client registration is straightforward. Name and email address are submitted using the contact form on the home page. No detail or message is required; the absence of a message is sufficient.
A link is sent by email, along with ActionID and associated email address for forwarding or sending materials, and a confidentiality commitment (downloadable for records).
As a client, communication and information sharing are set up with full encryption and security.
Not using personal and work emails or social messaging accounts allows open communication as comfortable. This includes sharing information with other professionals, because as a client, access is provided to a space from which documents can be securely shared with others, including solicitors, accountants, etc.