Independent legal advice on other documents
Independent advice is required in more situations than most people expect. If someone has told you to take it and you are not sure which category you fall into, this is the route to use.
From £225 · one person advised
When this is useful
Situations this service is for
- A solicitor acting for someone else has told you to take your own advice before signing.
- You have been asked to sign a waiver, release or settlement document.
- A company is asking you to sign something in your capacity as a director or shareholder.
- You have been sent a document with a certificate attached for a solicitor to complete.
- You are not sure what you have been sent, or why independent advice is being required.
What we do
The work itself
- Read what you have been sent and tell you plainly what it is.
- Confirm whether independent advice is genuinely required, and in what form.
- Confirm whether this is something we can advise on, or whether you need a solicitor with a different specialism.
- Where it is within our scope, advise on the document and complete the certificate.
- Where it is not, say so promptly rather than taking the instruction.
Before you book
What to send us
- 01The document you have been asked to sign.
- 02Whatever you have been told about why independent advice is needed, and by whom.
- 03Any certificate template provided.
- 04Your deadline.
What happens
How the work runs
- 01
An initial read
We look at the document before quoting, because until it has been read nobody can sensibly tell you what the work involves.
- 02
A straight answer on scope
We tell you whether we can help. Settlement agreements, employment matters and some specialist finance documents may need a different solicitor, and we would rather say so at this stage.
- 03
The appointment
If we can assist, the appointment follows the same pattern as our other independent advice work: a private meeting, an explanation of the effect and the risks, and time for questions.
What you receive
Deliverables
- A prompt answer on whether we can assist.
- Where we can, a private appointment and the completed certificate.
Fee
From £225
This price assumes
- One person advised
- One guarantee and its related facility letter
- A standard lender certificate
- A private video appointment of up to 60 minutes
Included
- Review of the document and any lender or transaction-solicitor requirements
- A private appointment with the solicitor advising you
- Explanation of the legal effect, the obligations and the material risks
- Completion of the certificate where the requirements are satisfied
Not included
- Negotiating the terms of the underlying transaction
- Advice to any other party to the document
- Advice on tax consequences
Prices are indicative minimums for matters within the assumptions shown. We review the document and confirm a fixed fee in writing before any work begins. No legal advice is given during the free initial assessment.
All fees and what changes themQuestions
Common questions
- What is the difference between this and legal advice generally?
- Independent legal advice is given by a solicitor with no connection to the other parties, usually so that a certificate can be signed confirming you understood what you were agreeing to. General advice has no such formality.
- Do you advise on settlement agreements with an employer?
- Employment settlement agreements have their own statutory requirements. Send us the document and we will confirm whether it is within our scope before you book.
Related services
Send us the document and we will confirm whether we can assist.
You will get a straight answer on scope, fee and timing before any work begins.
Enquiries receive a response within one working day.