For those without an in-house lawyer, what's your biggest frustration when dealing with legal issues?

[HannahS]

Hi all,

For those of you without in‑house legal support, I’m really interested in what causes the most frustration when legal issues crop up in your business.

Whether it’s contracts, disputes, data protection, policies, compliance, or just knowing what’s “normal” when someone sends you a document to sign — what do you find hardest or most time‑consuming to deal with?

Also curious what you’d want from external support if you did get help — fixed fees, quick turnaround, plain‑English advice, someone who negotiates for you, a monthly retainer, etc.

Even short replies are really helpful. Thanks in advance.

 

[Newchodge]

From the perspective of a legal advisor, it is clients who don't understand why you need information in order to give them a valid answer.

 

[fisicx]

My biggest frustration is lawyers who don’t listen, lose documents and in some cases get the law wrong.

And a complaints procedure that doesn’t work. Incompetent solicitors still practising.

 

[Daybooks]

Why are you interested?

 

[WaveJumper]

Dito agree with @fisicx hit nail on head there. I am staggered at the lack of knowledge many report to have, only two weeks ago I was sitting with a lawyer and her "assistant" which turned out to be a complete waste of time.

Red flags were almost immediately raised when we went over the subject of identity checks which i soon realised her "assistant" had not passed on any information and the lawyer had probably only glanced at my file whilst walking down the corridor to the meeting room.

We have another (sister and I) lawyer at a different firm dealing with something else who asked for a load of paper work from us and got told bluntly as you dealt with that three months ago perhaps you should look in your own files

Having come from the corporate world where our lawyers took no prisoners when it came to commercial property deals I have been staggered how these local firms operate, just like the vets these days they now all seem to be part of larger groups employing those that are none to bright

Monday morning rant over

 

[fisicx]

During a house sale a couple of years back the buyer's conveyancer asked for the same document seven times! Their incompetence delayed the sale by two months putting us out of pocket. We then couldn't complain because they were not our convayancer. You can only complain about your solicitor.

 

[HannahS]

@fisicx and @WaveJumper
Thanks both, that’s really useful to hear. I’m an in-house lawyer looking to set up as a consultant aiming my services primarily at SMEs and growing businesses. I’m currently researching how best to bridge the gap for businesses that don’t have in‑house support and feel like they must rely on law firms when they need support.

Because my background has always been on the inside rather than in a law firm, I’m looking at whether business owners would find value in a more commercial, practical style of support — someone who understands how the business works day‑to‑day and can give clear guidance without the formality, delays or costs that often come with traditional legal routes.

Do you think having access to that kind of “in‑house style” support without having to hire your own lawyer would actually help with the frustrations you’ve mentioned?

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

bridge the gap for businesses that don’t have in‑house support

Most businesses do not have in house support. They employ a solicitor if/when required!

someone who understands how the business works day‑to‑day

Do you? What sort/sizeof business?

Legal-on-demand could be a trendy title to use, but that is no more than having someone on retainer or just knowing a solicitor!

 

[fisicx]

@HannahS I have a solicitor I call when required. This is about once a year. Can’t see any value in having anything ‘in-house’.

 

[Gecko001]

@fisicx and @WaveJumper
Thanks both, that’s really useful to hear. I’m an in-house lawyer looking to set up as a consultant aiming my services primarily at SMEs and growing businesses. I’m currently researching how best to bridge the gap for businesses that don’t have in‑house support and feel like they must rely on law firms when they need support.

Because my background has always been on the inside rather than in a law firm, I’m looking at whether business owners would find value in a more commercial, practical style of support — someone who understands how the business works day‑to‑day and can give clear guidance without the formality, delays or costs that often come with traditional legal routes.

Do you think having access to that kind of “in‑house style” support without having to hire your own lawyer would actually help with the frustrations you’ve mentioned?

@HannahS I think you can only see the positives for a firm who wants to hire a consultant who has only experience in working as an in-house lawyer. I can see a few negatives:

-You will only have experience of a certain sector.
-If the firm you worked for as an in-house lawyer can afford to have an in-house lawyer, it will have been a very big firm, meaning that your experience is limited to very big firms. This might be a turn-off for some small and medium businesses.
- I assume you will start small by being a sole practitioner, so why call yourself a consultant? Doing this might make businesses question your credentials as a lawyer.

 

[HannahS]

Most businesses do not have in house support. They employ a solicitor if/when required!


Do you? What sort/sizeof business?

Legal-on-demand could be a trendy title to use, but that is no more than having someone on retainer or just knowing a solicitor!

I do think there would be a difference between having a private practice solicitor on retainer, and someone like myself. Solicitors in a law firms have never worked directly for a business so you simply receive legal analysis that you have to interpret for yourself. Having worked as an in-house lawyer, I would be able to provide commercial judgment and opinions from a different perspective having been 'on the ground' if you will.

I have worked in a range of business from start-ups up to FTSE 250 plcs, but I find much more enjoyment in adding value to those smaller growing companies, so this research is super helpful to find out how my experience can help.

 

[HannahS]

@HannahS I have a solicitor I call when required. This is about once a year. Can’t see any value in having anything ‘in-house’.

Absolutely. Thanks for providing your view, it is appreciated. All the best to you and your business!

 

[HannahS]

@HannahS I think you can only see the positives for a firm who wants to hire a consultant who has only experience in working as an in-house lawyer. I can see a few negatives:

-You will only have experience of a certain sector.
-If the firm you worked for as an in-house lawyer can afford to have an in-house lawyer, it will have been a very big firm, meaning that your experience is limited to very big firms. This might be a turn-off for some small and medium businesses.
- I assume you will start small by being a sole practitioner, so why call yourself a consultant? Doing this might make businesses question your credentials as a lawyer.

Thanks for sharing your view on this, it is very much appreciated.

I have worked in a range of business in various industries from start-ups to large plcs so perhaps that is something I should make clear in my marketing.

My thinking was that I don't want to just sell legal advice as my services will have more of a commercial focus. I'm not a law firm and am conscious of portraying myself as such. Do you think a more relaxed, flexible and personal service would diminish credibility for my credentials? It is a very interesting point.

Thanks again.

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

my services will have more of a commercial focus.

What commercial experience do you have (outside of in house legal...)?

 

[Newchodge]

Thanks for sharing your view on this, it is very much appreciated.

I have worked in a range of business in various industries from start-ups to large plcs so perhaps that is something I should make clear in my marketing.

My thinking was that I don't want to just sell legal advice as my services will have more of a commercial focus. I'm not a law firm and am conscious of portraying myself as such. Do you think a more relaxed, flexible and personal service would diminish credibility for my credentials? It is a very interesting point.

Thanks again.

I don't quite understand what relaxed, flexible and personal service you plan to offer. I offer employment law advice and assistance, that is a clear offering and any potential clients understand what they can expect to receive. I think you need to be clear about what you offer.

 

[HannahS]

What commercial experience do you have (outside of in house legal...)?

I think there’s a misconception that “commercial experience” means sales or running a business. In‑house legal work is inherently commercial — it sits at the centre of how a business operates.

My experience includes negotiating of contracts where pricing, service levels, deliverables and commercial risk are the core focus. I play my part in weighing risk vs reward and helping teams make decisions that work operationally. I have supported new product launches, help secure customers and onboarded new suppliers. Wherever I am, I work cross‑functionally to understand the operational reality. I provide training, mentoring and practical guidance that teams can implement. Most importantly, I stay involved after identifying a risk — helping shape solutions, not just flagging problems.

In‑house lawyers don’t just say “here’s the risk” and walk away. We help make the deal work. That’s what commercial means in practice, and it’s the foundation of the service I would like to offer.

 

[HannahS]

I don't quite understand what relaxed, flexible and personal service you plan to offer. I offer employment law advice and assistance, that is a clear offering and any potential clients understand what they can expect to receive. I think you need to be clear about what you offer.

Appreciate your response, thank you. I will be providing clear contract drafting and negotiation, help onboarding suppliers and customers, straightforward operational legal guidance (e.g. customer disputes, non-payment etc), and usable templates and processes. It’s flexible, commercial support that feels like having an in‑house lawyer on call, without the cost of hiring one.

 

[Newchodge]

Appreciate your response, thank you. I will be providing clear contract drafting and negotiation, help onboarding suppliers and customers, straightforward operational legal guidance (e.g. customer disputes, non-payment etc), and usable templates and processes. It’s flexible, commercial support that feels like having an in‑house lawyer on call, without the cost of hiring one.

In my experience SMEs don't realise they need legal support until the s**t hits the fan. I think you are looking to give proactive assistance. Tthat may be hard to market.

 

[HannahS]

In my experience SMEs don't realise they need legal support until the s**t hits the fan. I think you are looking to give proactive assistance. Tthat may be hard to market.

I think that is a great way of putting it. I completely agree, but I am prepared to give it a good go.

Thanks for engaging with this. It is appreciated.

 

[fisicx]

This is a typical legal question we get here:

Compulsory Strike Off- Can the Director draw a line under the company and move forward as a Sole Trader?

Hi everyone, I'm posting anonymously on behalf of a friend who is completely overwhelmed. Her limited company has now been compulsorily dissolved after around 3 years of unfiled accounts and confirmation statements. The company bank account contains approximately £20,000, but there are also...

www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk

would you be able help someone like this?

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

I think you need to take a step back and look at what you are saying.

You said that you have commercial experience, where you actually mean commercial legal experience.

They are different things and, as a solicitor, you will know that words mean everything!

 

[HannahS]

I think you need to take a step back and look at what you are saying.

You said that you have commercial experience, where you actually mean commercial legal experience.

They are different things and, as a solicitor, you will know that words mean everything!

Thank you for your input, but I do know what I am saying.

• “Commercial experience” = experience of how businesses actually operate, make money, make decisions, manage risk, deal with suppliers/customers, pricing, ops, etc.
• “Commercial legal experience” = experience of doing legal work in a commercial context (contracts, deals, negotiations, etc).

I have both as outlined above.

 

[fisicx]

Most businesses don’t need much commercial legal help. They fix cars, paint houses, sell stuff online, do bookkeeping, clean offices and so on. They may need help setting things up but after that it’s only when things go awry they seek someone like you.

Many legal threads here revolve around directors, shareholders and financial problems.

 

[HannahS]

Most businesses don’t need much commercial legal help. They fix cars, paint houses, sell stuff online, do bookkeeping, clean offices and so on. They may need help setting things up but after that it’s only when things go awry they seek someone like you.

Many legal threads here revolve around directors, shareholders and financial problems.

Perhaps this community doesn't quite meet my target market but thanks again for engaging with the post.

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

Perhaps this community doesn't quite meet my target market

Have you prepared a business plan, defining what that market is?

 

[HannahS]

Have you prepared a business plan, defining what that market is?

Yes — my market is defined and my plan is in place. This community doesn't seem to be aligned with that but I have some helpful insights.

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

Great, so who is your target market?

 

[Gecko001]

If you are going to actually enter to commercial negotiations on behalf of clients, as well as giving legal advice, could you get PII at affordable premiums?

 

[HFE Signs]

It seems more people are using AI to write their contracts now, quite a scary thought though if or when something goes wrong.