Proceed with Scoping
"Proceed with Scoping" is the formal commitment step where both you and your lawyer agree to move forward with the legal matter. It happens after you have both reviewed the scope report and before you pay.
Why This Step Exists
This step ensures that both parties have genuinely agreed to proceed - not just that one party pressed a button without the other being ready. It also provides a short cooling-off window so either party can withdraw if they change their mind immediately after committing.
How It Works
1. You Receive the Scope
Your lawyer approves the scope and you receive a notification: "Your scope report is ready for review."
2. You Click "Proceed with Scoping"
After reviewing the scope in your client portal, click Proceed with Scoping. This signals to your lawyer that you are ready to commit.
3. Your Lawyer Clicks "Proceed with Scoping"
Your lawyer must also click Proceed from their side. Both actions are required - the process does not advance until both parties have clicked.
4. The 5-Minute Cooling-Off Period
Once both parties have clicked, a 5-minute countdown starts. During this window:
- Either party can click Withdraw to cancel the commitment - no explanation required
- The countdown is visible to both parties in their portals
- No payment is taken during this period
5. Lock-In
After 5 minutes without withdrawal, the matter is locked in:
- Full contact details are released to both parties (your email, phone; their email, phone)
- You can now click Accept & Hire to proceed to payment
- The lawyer can begin preparing to start work
Contact Masking Before Lock-In
Before the cooling-off expires, your contact details are masked:
| What the Lawyer Sees | What You See |
|---|---|
| Your first name only | Lawyer's public profile only |
| No email, no phone, no surname | No direct email or phone number |
This prevents off-platform contact or solicitation before both parties have formally committed. After lock-in, full details are released.
Can I Withdraw After Lock-In?
Once the matter is locked in, you have moved to the "Accept & Hire" stage. At this point:
- You can choose not to click "Accept & Hire" - the matter will not proceed and no payment is taken
- If you have already paid (i.e., you have clicked Accept & Hire and paid via Stripe), you need to raise a dispute or request a cancellation - see Complaints Procedure
What If Only One Party Proceeds?
The cooling-off countdown does not start until both parties have clicked Proceed. If only one party has clicked, the other receives a reminder notification. If the second party does not click within a reasonable time, the matter can be abandoned and a new scope can be requested.
After Lock-In - What Happens Next
Once locked in:
- You see the Accept & Hire button
- Click it to go to Stripe payment checkout
- Pay the full matter amount (held in escrow - not released to lawyer yet)
- An active order is created in both portals
- Your lawyer begins work on Milestone 1
See Hiring a Lawyer for the next steps.