Independent Legal Advice
SRA-regulated solicitors · Same-day video appointments · ILA certificates issued nationwide
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Instant Video Appointment
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ILA Certificate
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SRA Regulated Law Firm
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From £150 Plus VAT
✔ Online
Poppy LLB
Solicitor
✔ Online
Zain
Solicitor
✔ Online
Mohsin
Solicitor
How Can We Help You?
Please supply us with the following:
- Details of the borrower and reason for giving the guarantee/surety.
- Details of the mortgage offer/loan agreement.
- Contact details of the solicitors dealing with the transaction.
- What date/time you would like to schedule a solicitor on Skype, FaceTime or WhatsApp.
When obtaining a mortgage, loan, or entering into a significant legal agreement, you may be required by your lender, employer, or solicitor to obtain Independent Legal Advice (ILA). This requirement exists to ensure that you are aware of all the risks and future financial implications of what you are signing, and that you are doing so freely and without undue pressure from another party.
The legal foundation for this requirement was established by the House of Lords in Royal Bank of Scotland v Etridge (No 2) [2001] and earlier in Barclays Bank v O'Brien [1994]. These cases set out clear obligations on lenders to ensure that guarantors, co-signatories, and other vulnerable parties receive genuinely independent legal advice before binding themselves to potentially serious financial obligations.
Unfortunately, the requirement for ILA often appears right at the end of the application process, resulting in delays, additional costs, and added stress. We are able to speed up this process dramatically by offering Independent Legal Advice via Zoom, WhatsApp, or FaceTime video call — at a fixed price of £150 + VAT, with same-day appointments available.
Our ILA Services
We provide Independent Legal Advice and ILA certificates for the full range of transactions where it may be required:
- Guarantor ILA – Independent Legal Advice for anyone acting as guarantor on a mortgage, loan, lease or commercial facility
- Directors' Personal Guarantees – Buy-to-let limited company mortgages and commercial loans
- JBSP Mortgages – Joint Borrower Sole Proprietor arrangements
- Occupier's Consent Forms – For non-owner occupiers
- Bridging Loans – Short-term property finance
- Gifted Deposits – Bank of Mum and Dad declarations
- Second Charge Mortgages – Secured loans on mortgaged property
- Commercial Guarantees – Business loan guarantees & debentures
- Family Loans – Formal intrafamily lending agreements
- What to Expect at Your ILA Appointment – Step-by-step guide to the process
Areas we do not currently assist with
We are not currently able to provide Independent Legal Advice on the following matters:
- Equity Release & Lifetime Mortgages — including all Equity Release Council products and lifetime mortgages for over-55s
- Transfer of Equity — including transfers between spouses on marriage or divorce, family transfers and other change-of-ownership transactions
If your matter falls into one of these categories, we recommend contacting an SRA-regulated solicitor who specialises in that area, or your local Citizens Advice for a referral.
Read our complete guide: What is Independent Legal Advice?
How Our ILA Service Works
1. Send Us Your Documentation
Once we have received your mortgage details, guarantee documents, or other relevant paperwork, we are ready to arrange a video appointment. Documents can be emailed to advice@lawyersonline.co.uk.
2. Video Call With a Qualified Solicitor
Your appointment will take typically 10–15 minutes via Zoom, WhatsApp or FaceTime. Our SRA-regulated solicitor will discuss the documentation in plain English, explain the associated risks, and answer any questions you have.
3. Signing (Wet Signatures Required)
Once the relevant documentation has been signed and witnessed where required — wet (ink) signatures remain obligatory for most lender documents — these will need to be posted to us to be stamped and certified.
4. Same-Day Dispatch
We will scan the signed documents, email you a digital copy, and forward the originals to your solicitor or lender on the same day they are received by us. Speed matters in property transactions, and we know it.
For Mortgage Brokers, Intermediaries & Lenders
If you're a broker, intermediary or lender looking for a reliable ILA partner, please visit our Brokers & Intermediaries page or contact our partnerships team at partnerships@lawyersonline.co.uk.
We work with over 170 UK lenders. See our complete Lenders page for details.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Independent Legal Advice (ILA)?
Independent Legal Advice is professional legal guidance provided by a qualified solicitor who is independent of the other parties to a transaction. It ensures you fully understand the legal and financial implications of what you are signing, particularly for mortgages, personal guarantees, settlement agreements, and other binding agreements where you may face significant financial risk.
Why do lenders require Independent Legal Advice?
Following the House of Lords decision in Royal Bank of Scotland v Etridge (No 2) [2001], lenders require ILA to protect themselves against future claims of undue influence or misrepresentation. ILA gives lenders evidence that you entered the transaction freely and with full understanding of the risks.
How much does Independent Legal Advice cost?
Our fixed fee for Independent Legal Advice starts from £150 plus VAT. This includes the video appointment with a qualified solicitor, the ILA certificate, and same-day dispatch of certified documents to your solicitor or lender. There are no hidden charges.
Can I get Independent Legal Advice online?
Yes. We provide ILA via Zoom, WhatsApp, or FaceTime video call. Most appointments are available the same day or next day.
How long does an ILA appointment take?
The video appointment typically takes 10–15 minutes. Documents must then be signed with wet (ink) signatures and posted to us for certification.
Book Your ILA Appointment Now
Lenders & Companies We Work With
