Why I Can’t Answer Your Questions or Give You Legal Advice for Free

Every day of the week, I receive emails, telephone calls, or letters from people with problems, issues, or questions.

Most people understand that there will be a consultation fee for my advice/opinion.

However, some people think I should be answering these questions and offering my opinion for free.

However, I can’t.

I simply cannot answer these questions or give legal advice for free.

You might think, “miserable/greedy/mean/grasping/stingy lawyer-typical”.

And I understand that reaction.

But let me explain why I have to adopt this policy.

Time and Complexity

Most situations might appear simple but, in fact, are complex, and require time and research.

Let’s take, for example, an employment scenario. In order to advise properly I will need to

Find out all the facts and circumstances of the issue
Review the contract of employment
Review any relevant correspondence between employer and employee
Review any investigation/disciplinary/medial reports relevant to the situation.

Doing this takes time, and possibly research.

Answering all the questions I receive on a daily basis, and providing accurate, professional advice is time consuming, for the reasons outlined above. If I was to do this for free I simply would not have sufficient time in the day to advise and help my clients.

Quite frankly, I would not be able to earn a living, and pay my office expenses, and professional expenses, and pay my mortgage and look after my family.

In summary, to provide you with a good service, and do you and your issue justice, I need to devote time and expertise to it.

And for this, I am sure you agree, I am entitled to be paid, just like you in your job.

Professional Negligence

If I give you bad advice, and you suffer losses as a result of acting on that advice, I am leaving myself open to being sued for professional negligence.

Yes, even if I was not paid.

Why? Because I am a professional and it could be argued that anyone asking me for advice is entitled to rely on that advice.

Yes, even if you have not paid.

Let’s call a spade a spade: if I am leaving myself open to being sued for professional negligence I think it is prudent to charge a consultation fee and give the necessary time to produce the very best advice I can give.

And let’s face it: giving advice is what I do for a living-what I get paid for.

Alternative Sources of Information

My websites provide a large quantity of useful information. They provide the backbone to the growth of my solicitor’s practice.

And all the information is completely free.

That’s the way it will remain; I will never charge for the information freely available on my websites:

But to advise you on your particular situation, taking into account your specific circumstances, and to weigh up all the relevant facts and then advise, there is a small consultation fee.

I trust you now understand why.

You can learn more about this consultation service here.

If you don’t want to pay your local Citizen’s Advice may be able to help.

Here’s the link for information about arranging a consultation.