Start with what is happening to you.
You do not need to know the legal terminology or identify the correct area of law before you ask for help.
Tell us what is happening. We can then consider which legal issues may be relevant, what information matters and what options may need to be considered.
Legal problems do not always arrive with a label.
You may receive a letter without understanding its significance. A business disagreement may become a contractual dispute. A property problem may involve ownership, finance and litigation at the same time.
That is why we encourage you to begin with the facts. Once the circumstances are understood, the relevant legal questions can be identified.
You don't need to diagnose your own legal problem.
If you are unsure whether your situation is a legal matter, which professional you need or what you should do first, that uncertainty itself is a good reason to seek appropriate guidance.
Which of these sounds closest to what is happening?
Choose the situation that feels closest. It does not have to be an exact match.
Someone is making a claim against me
You have been threatened with legal action, received a claim or been told that someone intends to take you to court.
Explore disputes →I have received court papers
You have received a claim, application, order, notice or another document requiring a response.
Understand urgent matters →Someone owes me money
A person, business, customer or other party has failed to pay money you believe is due.
Explore disputes →I have a property problem
Your situation involves a home, land, ownership, boundaries, a lease, possession or another property issue.
Property & land →I have a business disagreement
You are dealing with a contractual dispute, commercial disagreement, partnership issue or business-related claim.
Business & commercial →I have an employment problem
Your situation involves an employer, employee, contract, dismissal, workplace dispute or employment rights.
Employment →I have a family problem
Your circumstances involve separation, family arrangements, children, finances or another family-related issue.
Family matters →I have an inheritance or will problem
You are dealing with a will, estate, beneficiary, probate or inheritance disagreement.
Wills & inheritance →My situation involves another country
Your residence, property, family, finances, business or legal affairs involve more than one jurisdiction.
Cross-border matters →I need a legal document
You need a document reviewed, drafted, explained or considered in the context of your circumstances.
Documents & agreements →I need someone to represent me
You are facing a hearing, dispute, negotiation or other situation where professional representation may be appropriate.
Advice & advocacy →I don't know what my problem is
Something has happened and you are unsure whether it is legally significant or what you should do about it.
Start with BLP →When disagreement becomes a legal dispute.
Disputes can arise between individuals, businesses, landlords and tenants, property owners, contractual parties and other organisations or individuals.
Before proceedings
Understanding the position before a dispute escalates can help identify the available options.
Letters & responses
Legal correspondence may have important consequences and should be considered carefully.
Negotiation & settlement
Where appropriate, resolving a dispute without a full trial may be worth considering.
Court proceedings
Litigation involves procedure, deadlines, evidence and strategic decisions.
Evidence
Documents, communications, witnesses, records and chronology can all become important.
Advocacy
Where appropriate, specialist advocacy may be required at a hearing or other stage.
Property problems can involve much more than the property itself.
Property matters may involve ownership, title, finance, contracts, possession, boundaries, leases, rights or disputes between different parties.
Ownership & title
Questions concerning ownership, registered title and competing interests.
Boundaries
Disagreements involving boundaries, access, land use or neighbouring properties.
Landlord & tenant
Issues arising from leases, occupation, possession and contractual obligations.
Property transactions
Legal issues arising before or during a property transaction.
Possession
Situations involving occupation, possession or disputes over who is entitled to occupy property.
Property disputes
Disagreements where legal rights concerning land or buildings are contested.
Protect the business relationship — or understand what happens when it breaks down.
Commercial problems can affect contracts, cash flow, relationships, reputation and the future operation of a business.
Commercial contracts
Understanding obligations, rights, risks and important contractual provisions.
Contract disputes
Disagreements concerning performance, payment, termination or breach.
Business relationships
Disputes between business owners, partners, contractors, suppliers or customers.
Debt & payment disputes
Problems involving unpaid invoices, money owed or disputed payments.
Risk assessment
Identifying potential legal problems before they become expensive disputes.
Strategic advice
Understanding the legal and commercial implications before choosing a course of action.
When a workplace problem becomes a legal problem.
Employment matters can involve contracts, workplace relationships, disciplinary processes, dismissal and disputes concerning employment rights.
Employment contracts
Understanding terms, obligations and contractual rights.
Dismissal & termination
Understanding the circumstances and legal issues surrounding termination.
Workplace disputes
Resolving disagreements between employers and employees where appropriate.
Employment correspondence
Reviewing important letters, agreements or communications.
Negotiation
Considering whether an agreed resolution may be possible.
Employment claims
Understanding potential claims, procedures and relevant deadlines.
Legal problems can be especially difficult when they involve people close to you.
Family matters often combine legal, financial and personal considerations. A careful approach can help separate the immediate issue from the wider circumstances.
Family disputes
Understanding rights, responsibilities and possible routes to resolution.
Separation
Legal and practical issues that may arise when relationships change.
Children & arrangements
Legal questions concerning arrangements and responsibilities involving children.
Financial matters
Financial issues arising in connection with family circumstances.
Negotiation
Considering whether matters can be resolved without unnecessary escalation.
Representation
Where appropriate, professional advice or advocacy may be required.
When money, property and family relationships meet.
Inheritance matters can involve wills, estates, beneficiaries, probate, property and disagreements between people with competing interests.
Wills
Questions concerning the preparation, interpretation or circumstances surrounding a will.
Estates
Issues concerning the administration and distribution of an estate.
Beneficiaries
Questions concerning entitlement to estate assets.
Inheritance disputes
Disagreements concerning wills, estates or competing claims.
Property & inheritance
Where inherited property creates additional legal questions or disputes.
International estates
Estate matters involving assets or people in more than one country.
When your legal situation does not stop at the border.
Cross-border matters can involve different legal systems, documentation, residence, property, family, business and financial interests.
Property abroad
Legal issues involving property or land located outside the UK.
Residence & relocation
Legal circumstances connected with moving between countries.
International families
Family circumstances involving people who live in different jurisdictions.
International estates
Inheritance matters involving assets or beneficiaries in different countries.
International business
Contracts, transactions and commercial relationships crossing jurisdictions.
Local professional advice
Some matters may require advice from appropriately qualified professionals in another jurisdiction.
Sometimes the document is the problem.
A single clause, deadline or obligation can have significant consequences. Understanding what you are agreeing to before you sign can be important.
Review
Understand important terms, obligations, risks and provisions within a document.
Drafting
Consider the structure and wording of appropriate legal documents.
Explain
Translate complex legal language into clearer practical information.
Negotiate
Identify provisions that may need discussion or amendment.
Sometimes you need someone to help you prepare. Sometimes you need someone to speak for you.
The appropriate legal support depends on the circumstances. It may involve advice, document preparation, negotiation, advocacy or representation where permitted and appropriate.
Legal advice
Understand the relevant issues, options, risks and possible next steps.
Case preparation
Organise the facts, chronology, evidence and documents relevant to your matter.
Negotiation
Consider whether an agreed resolution may be achievable.
Advocacy
Professional advocacy may be appropriate in certain hearings or proceedings.
Direct Access
In appropriate circumstances, members of the public may be able to instruct a barrister directly.
Referral
Where another type of professional or specialist is more appropriate, this should be identified rather than ignored.
Have you received something with a deadline?
Do not assume that a legal document can simply be dealt with later. Check the document, identify any stated deadline and consider obtaining appropriate advice promptly.
Court papers
Identify the court, claim or application, hearing date and response deadline.
Letter before action
Understand what is being alleged and what response is being requested.
Hearing approaching
Preparation may require documents, evidence, chronology and clear instructions.
Uncertain deadline
If you are unsure whether a deadline applies, obtain appropriate advice rather than assuming there is none.
Urgent does not necessarily mean hopeless.
The first step is to establish what has happened, what the document requires and what time limits may apply.
The right legal response depends on the problem.
Not every situation requires court proceedings. Sometimes the most useful first step is simply understanding your legal position.
Identify the problem
Start with the facts and establish what has actually happened.
Consider the options
Look at possible routes and the risks or consequences involved.
Choose the next step
Decide what needs to happen now and what can wait.
Move forward
Proceed with the appropriate legal assistance and strategy.
You may not know what kind of lawyer you need. That's okay.
A common mistake is trying to choose a legal category before explaining what has actually happened.
Start with the facts
What happened? Who is involved? When did it happen? What documents do you have? Has anyone given you a deadline?
Explain what you want to achieve
Do you want to recover money, protect property, resolve a disagreement, understand your position, negotiate or prepare for court?
Sometimes the first legal question is simply: “What exactly is happening here?”
That is a perfectly reasonable place to begin.
Tell us what is happening.
You do not need to have everything worked out before you make an enquiry. Start with the facts, the documents you have and what you are trying to achieve.
Speak to BLP Request a Confidential ConsultationThe information on this page is provided for general information purposes only and is not legal advice. The descriptions above are intended to help visitors identify potentially relevant areas of legal assistance and do not establish that a particular service is available or appropriate in every case. Legal services, representation and reserved legal activities are subject to applicable requirements and may only be undertaken by appropriately authorised persons or entities. Direct Public Access is subject to eligibility and professional requirements. Cross-border matters may require advice from appropriately qualified professionals in the relevant jurisdiction. Contacting BLP through this website does not, by itself, create a solicitor-client relationship.
Our new concept is much broader: people living real lives, making important decisions, sometimes across countries, and needing someone experienced to help them navigate the legal side.
Legal services with experience behind them.
From initial guidance and document preparation to specialist barrister advice and advocacy, we help you find the right level of legal support for your circumstances.
Discuss Your MatterYou don't need to know exactly what service you need before you call.
Legal problems rarely arrive neatly labelled. You may know that something is wrong without knowing whether you need a solicitor, barrister, legal adviser, mediator or simply some initial guidance.
Our role is to understand your circumstances and help identify the most appropriate route forward.
Tell us what is happening. We can help you understand what comes next.
Where appropriate, we can help you access specialist Direct Access barristers whose expertise matches your matter.
Make an EnquiryProfessional support for a wide range of legal needs.
The following services describe areas in which legal information, advice, preparation, administrative support or appropriately authorised professional assistance may be available.
Initial Legal Guidance
Help you understand the nature of a legal problem and identify possible next steps.
- Understanding your situation
- Identifying relevant legal issues
- Explaining terminology and processes
- Identifying appropriate professional help
Document Preparation
Assistance with preparing and reviewing documents where the work is not a reserved legal activity.
- Letters and correspondence
- Statements and supporting documents
- Contract and document review
- Preparation of information for a barrister
Legal Research
Research and preparation of information relating to legal questions and potential issues.
- Researching relevant law
- Identifying legal sources
- Preparing research summaries
- Organising information for professional review
Dispute Support
Practical support before or alongside formal dispute resolution.
- Understanding the dispute
- Correspondence preparation
- Negotiation support
- Settlement discussions
Mediation & Resolution
Support for clients considering consensual ways of resolving a disagreement.
- Preparing for mediation
- Organising relevant documents
- Understanding issues in dispute
- Settlement preparation
Case Preparation
Organising information and documentation so that the appropriate legal professional can assess the matter.
- Chronologies
- Document organisation
- Evidence schedules
- Preparation for professional instruction
Specialist legal expertise, without unnecessary steps.
We work with Direct Access barristers who are authorised to accept instructions from members of the public.
Depending on your circumstances and the nature of your matter, we can help identify an appropriate barrister and facilitate the instruction process.
Direct Access does not mean that every type of legal work can be undertaken without a solicitor.
The barrister will explain the scope of the work they can undertake and whether a solicitor or another regulated professional is required.
A broad range of legal matters.
The availability of a particular service depends on the nature of your matter and the professional authorised to undertake it.
Family Law
Divorce, separation, children, financial matters and related family disputes.
Employment
Workplace disputes, employment agreements, discrimination and employment-related advice.
Commercial
Contracts, business disputes, commercial relationships and general business legal issues.
Property
Property-related disputes, agreements and legal questions concerning ownership or occupation.
Civil Disputes
Disagreements between individuals, organisations or businesses and possible routes to resolution.
Personal Injury
Initial guidance and access to appropriately qualified legal professionals where a personal injury matter arises.
Wills & Estates
Information and document preparation relating to wills and estate planning, subject to the appropriate professional involvement.
Immigration Matters
Signposting and access to appropriately authorised immigration professionals where required.
Criminal Matters
Access to appropriately qualified criminal barristers and legal professionals where available and appropriate.
The practical side of your matter matters too.
A legal matter can involve large amounts of paperwork, information and communication. Our experienced administrative support helps keep the process organised.
Experienced Clerking
Our clerk supports the administrative side of the instruction, including correspondence, paperwork and coordination with the relevant legal professional.
Document Organisation
We can help organise information, documents, chronologies and supporting material so that the relevant professional can review the matter efficiently.
Barrister Coordination
Where appropriate, we can coordinate with a Direct Access barrister whose expertise corresponds with the nature of your matter.
Clear Communication
We aim to explain the practical process clearly, so you know what information is required and what the next stage involves.
The right professional for the right job.
We believe transparency is important. Not every legal activity can lawfully be carried out by an unregulated person or organisation.
Some activities are reserved to authorised legal professionals. Where a matter requires a solicitor, authorised barrister or another regulated professional, we will make that clear.
Reserved legal activities include:
- Exercise of a right of audience
- Conduct of litigation
- Reserved instrument activities
- Probate activities
- Notarial activities
- Administration of oaths
Where a barrister is instructed through Public Access, the barrister must be appropriately authorised and registered for Public Access work.
If your matter requires a service outside the scope of Public Access, the appropriate professional will advise you.
Experienced people. Specialist access. Personal service.
30 Years of Experience
Three decades of professional experience inform the way we approach client service and administration.
Direct Access
Where appropriate, we help clients access specialist barristers without unnecessarily navigating the traditional solicitor-first route.
Personal Attention
We believe clients should have a clear point of contact and understand what is happening with their matter.
Start with a conversation.
We'll help you find the right direction.
You don't need to know the legal terminology or choose the right professional before contacting us. Tell us what is happening and we can discuss the appropriate next step.
Make an Enquiry