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Amazing experience
After placing an enquiry, I received a call 20 minutes later, and then 2 hours later, I had a solicitor assigned to me. They were absolutely incredible right from the word go - amazing and very prompt with replies, answering all my questions and keeping the process moving. We finally completed today and I am so unbelievably happy. I wouldn’t hesitate to use Lawhive again in the future if needed.
Lily
First class service
I initially made an online enquiry about a tricky conveyancing matter and received an immediate call back. They understood straight away what was needed and gave me a quote that was very reasonable. It was such a pleasure to find someone who was cheerful, professional and completely reassuring as I’d been getting quite anxious about the sale of my house. The service Lawhive has provided is absolutely first class and I cannot recommend them enough.
Charles
Empathetic, professional and efficient
I am an executor, selling my mother's home. I found the assistance I received from Lawhive first rate - empathetic, professional and efficient.
Mark
Great service from Lawhive
We used Lawhive for our conveyancing needs and our solicitor was very helpful, patient and informative. She helped us with our needs with prompt responses and provided a very efficient service.
Kelvin
Great service when you need clarity and calm
Our solicitor was warm, friendly and provided crystal clear communication. A lot of conveyancers assume customers know everything about the process already, so it was really appreciated to hear each stage included in the price given.
Em
Quick and efficient
We used Lawhive for a transfer of property and conveyancing. Our solicitor was so helpful and thorough with the whole process. He responded quickly and efficiently to any questions or requests that we had and explained some of the more complicated issues regarding the process clearly.
Geri
Fantastic service and experience with Lawhive
I had the pleasure of working with Lawhive doing a transfer of equity on a property. Our solicitor’s service was amazing, she responded quickly to any questions or concerns and kept me updated throughout the process. I can strongly recommend her for any conveyancing work that you may need. Fantastic service all round.
Jane
Amazing experience
After placing an enquiry, I received a call 20 minutes later, and then 2 hours later, I had a solicitor assigned to me. They were absolutely incredible right from the word go - amazing and very prompt with replies, answering all my questions and keeping the process moving. We finally completed today and I am so unbelievably happy. I wouldn’t hesitate to use Lawhive again in the future if needed.
Lily
First class service
I initially made an online enquiry about a tricky conveyancing matter and received an immediate call back. They understood straight away what was needed and gave me a quote that was very reasonable. It was such a pleasure to find someone who was cheerful, professional and completely reassuring as I’d been getting quite anxious about the sale of my house. The service Lawhive has provided is absolutely first class and I cannot recommend them enough.
Charles
Empathetic, professional and efficient
I am an executor, selling my mother's home. I found the assistance I received from Lawhive first rate - empathetic, professional and efficient.
Mark
Great service from Lawhive
We used Lawhive for our conveyancing needs and our solicitor was very helpful, patient and informative. She helped us with our needs with prompt responses and provided a very efficient service.
Kelvin
Great service when you need clarity and calm
Our solicitor was warm, friendly and provided crystal clear communication. A lot of conveyancers assume customers know everything about the process already, so it was really appreciated to hear each stage included in the price given.
Em
Quick and efficient
We used Lawhive for a transfer of property and conveyancing. Our solicitor was so helpful and thorough with the whole process. He responded quickly and efficiently to any questions or requests that we had and explained some of the more complicated issues regarding the process clearly.
Geri
Fantastic service and experience with Lawhive
I had the pleasure of working with Lawhive doing a transfer of equity on a property. Our solicitor’s service was amazing, she responded quickly to any questions or concerns and kept me updated throughout the process. I can strongly recommend her for any conveyancing work that you may need. Fantastic service all round.
Jane
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01 overview
When conflicts arise, whether it's a business disagreement, unpaid debts, or personal disputes, a letter before action is an important step in the legal process, serving as a formal demand for resolution before starting court proceedings.
A well-drafted letter before action can often bring about a quick resolution, saving you time, money, and stress.
At Lawhive, we believe in making high-quality legal services accessible to everyone for affordable fixed fees, all delivered through our innovative online platform.
Our network of litigation solicitors specialise in drafting and delivering effective letters before action, ensuring your demands are clear, concise, and legally sound.
From initial consultation to drafting your letter before action to advising on the next steps, we provide comprehensive support tailored to your specific needs.
Contact us today to speak to our Legal Assessment Team about drafting your letter before action and get a transparent, fixed-fee quote for the services of a specialist lawyer.
A letter before action (sometimes referred to as a letter before claim) is a formal letter sent by one party to another, outlining a legal claim and demanding a resolution before initiating court proceedings.
It serves as a final warning and an opportunity for the recipient to address the issue without the need for litigation.
A letter before action acts as a final request for the recipient to resolve the matter before legal action is taken. It is often a required step of pre-action protocols before starting court proceedings, particularly in civil cases. It shows that the sender has attempted to resolve the issue amicably before going to court.
A letter before action clearly outlines the claim, grounds for the claim, and actions the recipient must take to avoid court proceedings.
It also gives both sides an understanding of the other’s position and lets them know where they stand.
An effective letter before action should include:
A letter before action can often be enough to prompt the recipient to settle a dispute without going to court, saving time and legal costs.
Even if it doesn't bring about a resolution, it also provides a formal record of the attempt to resolve the issues amicably, which can be important evidence if the matter goes to court.
While a letter before action is not always a strict legal requirement, it is generally considered a necessary step under the Civil Procedure Rules and Pre-Action Protocols in England and Wales.
Sending a letter before action encourages settlement, demonstrates the seriousness of the claim, and meets the court’s expectations for reasonable conduct before litigation.
Failing to send a letter before action can result in court penalties and a weaker case position. However, exceptions do exist for urgent situations or cases where sending a letter before action would be futile.
If the recipient ignores a letter before action and does not respond within the specified time frame, you can file a claim with the appropriate court.
The court will then issue a claim form, which you will need to serve on the recipient. This formally notifies them of the legal action and provides details of the claim.
If the recipient still does not respond after being served with the court papers, you can apply for a default judgement. This means the court can decide in your favour without a trial, based on the evidence provided in your claim.
Once you get a default judgement, you can take steps to enforce it, such as using bailiffs to recover a debt or seizing assets.
At Lawhive, our experienced solicitors can guide you through the process of filing a claim and pursuing legal action if your letter before action is ignored. Contact us today for expert assistance.
A letter before action can be used for a wide range of disputes including:
You don't need a solicitor to write a letter before action for you. However, while drafting the letter yourself may seem straightforward, there are some potential pitfalls to be aware of.
For example, you might not accurately reference the correct laws or legal principles that support your claim, weakening your position. Or, the recipient might not understand what is required to resolve the issue, leading to further confusion and delay.
A professionally drafted letter before action is more likely to be taken seriously and treated with the respect it deserves.
Your solicitor can ensure that your letter before action is based on the correct legal principles and clearly articulates your demands, leaving no room for ambiguity or misinterpretation.
Your solicitor can also ensure that your letter before action follows the relevant pre-action protocols, reducing the risk of court penalties.
At Lawhive, our experienced solicitors can help you draft a robust and compelling letter before action, increasing the likelihood of a favourable resolution. Contact us today for expert assistance.
Letters before action often lead to out-of-court settlements.
One of the primary purposes of this kind of letter is to encourage the resolution of disputes without the need for court proceedings.
Some protocols only allow a letter before action to be posted, including debt recovery claims. However, others don’t specify a preferred form of communication.
Therefore, you may be able to send a letter before action via email, however, there are some important considerations to keep in mind to ensure that the email is legally effective and taken seriously by the recipient.
When sending a letter before action via email you should:
Because emails can get lost in an overflowing inbox, or simply not be delivered, it is always worth posting a paper letter before action if possible so you can be sure it has been received.
If the recipient of your letter before action disputes the claim in their response, your solicitor can help assess the validity of their arguments and suggest potential counterarguments or additional evidence that may be needed.
Depending on the response and your solicitor's advice, you may choose to consider settlement options or suggest mediation as a way to open up negotiations.
Alternatively, you may decide to prepare for potential litigation by taking the next step as outlined in the pre-action protocols relating your your dispute.
A letter before action is a common and effective tool for resolving disputes before litigation. However, if you are considering alternatives to litigation, you might consider other forms of dispute resolution such as:
You may also consider a demand letter, which is less formal than a letter before action but still outlines your issue and demands a resolution.
Each alternative has its advantages and can be appropriate depending on the nature of the dispute, the relationship with the other party, and the desired outcome.
At Lawhive, our experienced solicitors can help you choose the best approach for resolving your dispute and provide the necessary support and guidance throughout the process. Contact us today for expert assistance.
Yes, you need to send a letter before claim before starting a small claim.
It serves as a final warning letter before you take legal action against someone in court.
A well-drafted letter before action can be an effective way of settling a dispute before litigation.
At Lawhive, our network of litigation solicitors is on hand to provide expert help, advice, and guidance in drafting a letter before claim. Alternatively, they can draft the letter for you if you wish for an affordable fixed fee.
Contact us today to learn more about letters before claim and get a fixed-fee transparent quote for the services of a specialist solicitor.
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