Worried about a legal letter? Write to me.
Former barrister, years in county courts and tribunals. Tell me what's happened in your own words. I'll reply by email in plain English: where you stand and what I'd do next. The first reply is free.
Free first reply · No card · Usually back within 2 working days
Who's writing back? A former barrister, disbarred, and upfront about it. Read why
Dear Sam,
Thanks for setting it all out so clearly. The short answer: you're in a stronger position than you think.
After three years in the flat, repainting is usually fair wear and tear, and your landlord can't charge you for it. If the deposit wasn't protected within 30 days, the court can also order them to pay you up to three times the deposit on top.
Here's what I'd do this week…
Legal Counsel
What's going on?
Tap the closest one and it'll fill in the form for you. If yours isn't here, ask anyway.
- My landlord has served a notice and I don't know if it's valid.Housing
- There's a court hearing and I don't have a solicitor.Court
- A claim form arrived and I'm scared to open it again.Court
- A debt collector wants money I don't think I owe.Debt
- My landlord is keeping my deposit.Housing
- Someone owes me money and won't pay.Money
- A solicitor's letter has turned up and needs an answer.Letters
- Work has gone wrong and someone mentioned a tribunal.Work
- My neighbour and I have fallen out and now there are letters.Neighbours
- A shop or trader won't put things right or refund me.Consumer
- I just want someone to read a letter before I reply.Quick read
- Mine isn't on the list, but it's keeping me up at night.Anything else
How it works
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You write in
Use the form below. Any name will do. Put in the dates and amounts if you have them.
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I write back
Usually within two working days, by email. Where you stand, what your options are, and what I'd do in your shoes.
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You decide
That's it. No chasing, no sales emails. If you want to go through it properly, book a one-to-one hour.
Who's writing back
I was called to the Bar of England and Wales and spent years in county courts, tribunals, possession lists and eviction hearings. I acted for landlords and tenants, employers and employees, people bringing claims and people defending them.
After a long disagreement with the regulator about how legal help should reach ordinary people, I was disbarred. I'm telling you that upfront because you deserve to know who you're writing to.
It also means I can't go to court for you or run your case. What I can do is read what you've been sent, tell you honestly where you stand, and help you deal with it yourself. Nobody's billing you by the minute, so I've no reason to make your problem sound bigger than it is.
Think of the legal phone-ins on the radio, but in writing, at your own pace, with nobody else listening.
What I can and can't help with
England and Wales only. Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own law.
I can
- Read your letter, notice or claim form and explain it
- Tell you what the law says and how strong your position looks
- Explain deadlines and what happens next
- Help you draft a reply, a defence or a letter before claim
- Help you get ready for a hearing you're attending yourself
I can't
- Represent you in court or speak for you at a hearing
- Issue or run court proceedings on your behalf
- Advise on immigration or criminal matters
- Act as your solicitor or barrister
If your problem needs one of these, my reply will say so and point you to someone who can.
Is your hearing in the next few days?
Don't wait for an email. Free help is available today:
- Facing eviction? There's free on-the-day advice at the court through the Housing Loss Prevention Advice Service. Ask the court staff when you arrive.
- Shelter's helpline for housing, or Citizens Advice for most other problems.
What it costs
Two options. No retainers, no hourly creep, no surprises.
First written reply
Free
- One reply by email about one problem
- No card, no account, nothing to cancel
You'll never be asked to pay for this.
Talk it through for an hour
Halfthe usual price
- A full hour by phone or video, or face to face in Sussex if needed
- I read your documents properly before we speak
- Price and terms agreed in writing before you pay
Many high street solicitors charge £450 or more an hour.
Ask about a sessionTell me what's going on
Write it the way you'd tell a friend. I'll do the rest.
Hearing in the next few days? Get free help today first.
- Use any name you like
- Your email is only used to reply to you
- Dates and amounts help me a lot
- Don't attach documents yet. I'll ask if I need them
Got it, thank you.
Your question has arrived. I'll reply to the email you gave, usually within two working days. Check your spam folder if you haven't heard by then.
If there's a hearing in the next few days, don't wait for me: see the free help listed above.
Want to talk it through instead? A one-hour session by phone, video or face to face in Sussex, with the price agreed in writing before you pay. Just reply to my email and say so.
Questions people ask first
Why is the first reply free?
Most people only need someone to read the letter and tell them where they stand. If that's all you need, good. If you want more, the hour is there.
Is it really legal advice if you're disbarred?
In England and Wales, anyone can give general legal advice. What you need a current practising certificate for are things like representing someone in court or running their case. I don't do those. I'm also not regulated the way a solicitor is, and that's worth weighing up.
Will you tell anyone what I've written?
No. I read it, I reply to it, and I don't share it. The privacy notice explains how long it's kept and how to have it deleted.