Small Claims Advocate
A trading name of Talk Legal Limited
Going to the Small Claims Court? You do not have to face it alone.
Small Claims Advocate provides affordable help and representation for people and small businesses bringing or defending suitable County Court claims worth between £3,000 and £10,000.
You may have a good case but be unsure how to present it. You may be worried about speaking to the judge, questioning the other side or finding the important documents in a large bundle. You may want experienced help but find conventional solicitors' fees out of proportion to the amount at stake.
That is the gap this service is designed to fill.
Bringing a claim or defending one?
We consider cases for both claimants and defendants. Typical disputes include:
- —unpaid invoices;
- —defective goods;
- —the purchase or repair of a vehicle;
- —building or home-improvement work;
- —poor workmanship;
- —consumer services;
- —breach of contract;
- —suitable disputes between businesses.
The case should normally have been allocated to the small claims track and have a final hearing date, or be approaching the final-hearing stage.
What we may do
For an accepted case, the agreed work may include:
- —reviewing the claim, defence, court orders and principal evidence;
- —identifying what the dispute is really about;
- —discussing the evidence with you;
- —identifying weaknesses, inconsistencies or missing evidence;
- —helping organise the documents needed for the hearing;
- —preparing a clear hearing plan; and
- —attending the final hearing with you and presenting the case as your lay representative, subject to the applicable rules and the judge's control.
We do not encourage people to litigate regardless of merit or cost. If the case appears weak, uneconomic or unsuitable for this service, we will say so.
A straightforward service
- —Send the principal court papers.
- —We carry out a free suitability screening.
- —If the case may be suitable, we arrange the next step and request any essential information.
- —If we offer a paid service, we define the work and quote the fee in writing.
- —You decide whether to proceed.
Fees kept in proportion
Suitable standard cases are offered on a clear fixed-fee basis. The quotation will reflect the amount at stake, the volume of papers, the work required, the hearing length, the location and any unusual complexity.
Part of Talk Legal
Small Claims Advocate is led by Bryan Slater, founder and director of Talk Legal Limited. Bryan qualified as a solicitor and formerly practised for approximately 30 years. His experience includes civil litigation, contractual and commercial disputes, property matters, negotiation and advocacy.
Ready to ask about your case?
Send the claim, defence, allocation notice, relevant orders and hearing notice, together with your name, telephone number, the amount in dispute and the date of any hearing or deadline.