Getting Paid

Learn how payments work on eSolicitors, from receiving funds to managing invoices and withdrawals.

Payment Flow Overview

Client Pays → Funds Held Securely → Work Completed → Funds Released → Withdrawal

How It Works

1. Client Accepts Quote - They agree to your fees
2. Payment Made - Client pays through the platform
3. Funds Held - Money held in trust during work
4. Work Completed - You deliver the service
5. Funds Released - Payment cleared to your account
6. Withdrawal - Transfer to your bank account

Payment Types

Upfront Payments (Fixed Fee)

For fixed-fee work:

• Client pays full fee when hiring
• Funds held until completion
• Released when work marked complete
• Lower payment risk for you

Deposits

For larger matters:

• Partial payment to start
• Remainder paid at milestones
• Protects both parties
• Common for litigation

Milestone Payments

For phased work:

• Payment at defined stages
• Client approves each milestone
• Funds released progressively
• Good for long-running matters

Hourly Billing

For time-based work:

• Submit regular invoices
• Client reviews and approves
• Payment made per invoice
• Monthly billing typical

Setting Up Payments

Bank Account Verification

Before receiving payments:

1. Go to Dashboard → Payment Settings
2. Click "Add Bank Account"
3. Enter your account details:
   • Account name (must match your profile)
   • Sort code
   • Account number
4. Verify with micro-deposits or instant verification
5. Set as primary payout account

Verification Requirements

Requirement	Why Needed
SRA verification	Confirms practicing status
ID verification	Anti-money laundering
Bank verification	Ensures correct payments
PI insurance	Professional protection

Receiving Payments

When Clients Pay

You'll receive notifications for:

• New payments received
• Funds cleared to your balance
• Payment issues or failures

Payment Hold Period

Standard hold periods:

• Fixed fees: Released on completion
• Deposits: Released per agreement
• Milestones: Released on approval
• Hourly: Released on invoice approval

Funds in Your Balance

View your balance in the dashboard:

• Pending - Awaiting release conditions
• Available - Ready to withdraw
• In Transit - Being transferred to bank

Creating Invoices

For Hourly Work

1. Go to the client's case
2. Click "Create Invoice"
3. Add line items:
   • Date of work
   • Description
   • Time spent
   • Rate
4. Add disbursements (if any)
5. Apply VAT
6. Preview and send

Invoice Best Practices

Be Specific:

✓ 25/01/2025 - Reviewing contract (1.5 hrs) - £375
✗ Legal work - £375

Include:

• Clear description of work
• Date work was done
• Time breakdown (hourly)
• Any disbursements
• VAT if applicable

Invoice Status

• Draft - Not yet sent
• Sent - Awaiting client review
• Approved - Client accepted
• Paid - Payment received
• Disputed - Client query raised

Withdrawing Funds

How to Withdraw

1. Go to Dashboard → Payments
2. View your available balance
3. Click "Withdraw"
4. Enter amount or select "All"
5. Confirm withdrawal
6. Funds sent to your bank

Withdrawal Timing

Method	Time to Receive
Standard	2-3 business days
Priority	1 business day
Instant	Within hours*

*Subject to eligibility and fees

Minimum Withdrawal

• Minimum amount: £50
• No maximum limit
• Partial withdrawals allowed

Platform Fees

How Fees Work

eSolicitors charges a platform fee on completed transactions:

Fee Type	Rate
Standard	X% of legal fees
Premium members	Lower rate

Fees are:

• Deducted automatically
• Shown transparently
• Not charged on disbursements
• Only on completed work

Fee Examples

Client pays: £1,000 + VAT
VAT: £200 (passed through)
Platform fee: £X
You receive: £1,000 - £X

Handling Payment Issues

Client Doesn't Pay

If a client hasn't paid:

1. Send payment reminder through platform
2. Follow up with message
3. Escalate to eSolicitors support
4. Consider pausing work
5. Platform can assist with collection

Disputed Invoices

If client disputes:

1. Review their concern
2. Provide supporting documentation
3. Platform mediates if needed
4. Fair resolution applied

Refund Requests

Handle refund requests by:

1. Reviewing the complaint
2. Checking your work
3. Responding professionally
4. Agreeing to fair resolution
5. Processing approved refunds

Tax Considerations

What You're Responsible For

• Declaring income to HMRC
• Paying income tax
• VAT registration (if applicable)
• National Insurance
• Maintaining records

VAT

If VAT registered:

• Add VAT to your invoices
• Platform handles VAT calculation
• VAT shown separately
• Export VAT reports

Record Keeping

Download for your records:

• Transaction history
• Invoice copies
• Payment receipts
• Annual summaries

Financial Reports

Available Reports

• Transaction History - All payments in/out
• Invoice Report - All invoices sent
• Earnings Summary - By period, client, service
• Tax Report - Annual summary for filing

Exporting Data

1. Go to Dashboard → Reports
2. Select report type
3. Choose date range
4. Click "Export"
5. Download CSV or PDF

Payment Security

How Your Money Is Protected

• Regulated Trust - Client funds in FCA-regulated accounts
• Segregated Funds - Your money kept separate
• Bank-Level Security - Encrypted transactions
• Insurance - Platform insurance coverage

Your Protections

• Guaranteed payment for completed work
• Fraud protection
• Dispute resolution
• Clear audit trail

Troubleshooting

Payment Not Showing?

1. Check the transaction status
2. Verify client payment completed
3. Review any hold conditions
4. Contact support if unclear

Withdrawal Delayed?

1. Check for bank details errors
2. Verify identification complete
3. Review for any holds
4. Contact support

Invoice Rejected?

1. Review client's feedback
2. Clarify or amend as needed
3. Resubmit corrected invoice
4. Use dispute process if needed

Next Steps

• Return to Setting Up Your Profile
• View Solicitor Terms

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Tip: Set up automatic weekly withdrawals to maintain consistent cash flow.