Frequently Asked Questions
General
Is eSolicitors a law firm? No. eSolicitors is a technology marketplace. We connect clients with regulated solicitors and barristers. We do not provide legal advice. The lawyers on our platform are independently regulated.
Who can use eSolicitors? Anyone aged 18 or over with the legal capacity to enter into contracts. Clients can be individuals, businesses, or corporate legal departments.
Is eSolicitors regulated by the SRA? No. eSolicitors is a technology platform, not a law firm. We are not regulated by the SRA or BSB. However, all lawyers on our platform must be regulated by their respective regulatory bodies.
Finding a Lawyer
How do I know the lawyers are qualified? Every lawyer goes through a verification process including regulatory registration lookup (SRA/BSB/state bar), practising certificate review, photo ID, PII insurance, and address verification. Their verification level is shown on their profile.
Can I find a lawyer for a non-UK legal matter? Yes. eSolicitors has lawyers qualified in the US (all 50 states) and in international jurisdictions. Use the jurisdiction filter when browsing.
What if I don't know what type of lawyer I need? Use the Plan My Case free AI advisor (esolicitors.com/plan-my-case) or the Find a Lawyer AI matching wizard. Both help identify the right type of lawyer for your situation without booking a consultation first.
Consultations
What is the £15 consultation fee for? The £15 fee covers the platform's infrastructure for your consultation: the secure embedded video room, real-time AI transcription, AI scope generation, and the lawyer's 30-minute time. It is not a fee paid to the lawyer — it is a platform service charge.
Is the £15 fee refundable? The fee is non-refundable once the consultation has taken place. If your lawyer cancels, you receive a full refund.
What if I need more than 30 minutes? The platform has a 30-minute auto-cutoff. If your matter requires more discussion, you can book a second consultation. The AI scope will be generated from the most recent consultation's transcript.
Can I have a consultation without a recording? Yes. You can decline the recording consent. The call proceeds as normal, but without a transcript. Your lawyer may still generate a scope from notes, but it will be less detailed.
AI Scope Reports
Is the AI scope report accurate? The scope is generated by the eSolicitors AI engine from your consultation transcript, then reviewed and approved by your solicitor. The solicitor takes professional responsibility for the approved scope. It is a plan of work — accuracy for the legal advice itself comes from your solicitor's expertise.
Can my lawyer change the scope after I receive it? Yes, but only with your knowledge. If your lawyer needs to make material changes, they would contact you via the messaging system to discuss before re-sending.
What if I disagree with the scope? Message your lawyer through the platform. You can discuss and revise the scope before you commit. You are under no obligation to accept the scope as presented.
Payments
When do I pay? You pay the full matter amount when you click "Accept & Hire" - after the 5-minute cooling-off period has expired.
Is my money safe before I approve milestones? Yes. All payments are held in Stripe escrow. The lawyer cannot access funds until you approve each milestone.
What if I'm not happy with the delivered work? Raise a dispute on the specific milestone. Funds are frozen and an admin reviews within 5 business days.
Are there any hidden fees? No. All fees (buyer protection fee, Stripe processing) are shown on the checkout page before you pay. There are no additional fees after payment.
Data and Privacy
Is my consultation confidential? Yes. Recordings and transcripts are stored securely and used only for scope generation. They are not shared with third parties and are automatically deleted after 30 days.
Can I delete my account and data? Yes. Contact privacy@esolicitors.com to request account deletion. We will process your request subject to any outstanding legal obligations (such as retaining transaction records for 7 years).
Disputes and Complaints
How do I raise a dispute about a milestone? Click Dispute on the milestone in your client portal. Provide a clear reason and any supporting documents.
How do I make a formal complaint? See the Complaints Procedure for the full process, timelines, and escalation routes.