Independent Legal Advice on Financial Agreements

Line illustration of a hand writing figures on a savings ledger with a fountain pen

Financial agreements can have significant legal and financial consequences. Before entering into an agreement, it is important to understand exactly what you are agreeing to and how the terms may affect you now and in the future.

Independent legal advice provides an opportunity to have the agreement reviewed by a solicitor who is acting for you and in your interests. We explain the terms in clear language, identify potential risks and help you make an informed decision before signing.

What does independent legal advice involve?

Depending on your circumstances, we will:

Review the proposed financial agreement and relevant supporting documents
Explain the key terms, obligations and potential consequences
Consider whether the agreement is suitable for your individual circumstances
Identify provisions that may disadvantage you or create future risks
Discuss any concerns or questions you have about the agreement
Advise you about your legal rights and responsibilities
Where appropriate, suggest amendments or raise issues with the other party's representatives
Confirm that you understand the agreement and the advice provided before you decide whether to sign

What are the requirements?

To provide meaningful independent legal advice, we generally need to ensure that:

You receive advice independently of the other party to the agreement
We have sufficient time to properly review the agreement and relevant information
You provide accurate and complete information about your circumstances
Your identity and capacity to enter into the agreement can be appropriately verified
You have the opportunity to ask questions and consider the advice before signing
The advice is based on your individual circumstances rather than simply confirming that you have signed or received a document

Additional requirements may apply depending on the type of financial agreement, the parties involved and the jurisdiction in which the agreement is being entered into.

The benefits of independent legal advice

Obtaining independent advice can give you greater confidence that you understand the agreement before committing yourself to its terms.

It can help you:

Understand what you are signing
Legal agreements can contain complex provisions and terminology. We explain the important terms and their practical effect.

Identify potential risks
We highlight provisions that could have significant consequences for your financial position or future obligations.

Protect your interests
Independent advice ensures that your position is considered separately from the other party's interests.

Make an informed decision
You can proceed with greater clarity about the advantages, disadvantages and potential consequences of the agreement.

Address concerns before signing
Where appropriate, issues can be raised and negotiated before the agreement becomes binding.

Meet legal requirements
In circumstances where independent legal advice is required, obtaining appropriate advice can help ensure that the relevant requirements are properly addressed.

Our fees

We offer independent legal advice at a fixed fee, with options to suit your timescale.

Service	Fee excluding VAT	Fee including VAT at 20%
Same-day service	£750	£900
Within three working days	£500	£600
Non-urgent service	£390	£468

Same-day appointments are subject to availability. Timescales begin once we have received the required documents, confirmed your instructions and received payment.

Your quotation confirms the advice included and any certificate or document signing required. If the matter requires work outside the agreed scope, we explain this and agree any additional fee before proceeding.

Clear, practical and confidential advice

Our approach is straightforward. We take the time to understand your circumstances, review the agreement carefully and explain the key issues in practical terms.

If you have been asked to sign a financial agreement, or you are considering entering into one, obtaining independent legal advice before signing can be an important step in protecting your interests.