Independent, practical help for litigants in person in England & Wales.
252 results
Written by John Barwell
Since October 2023 the County Court has had four case management tracks, and the newest — the intermediate track — now covers the defended claims worth between £25,000 and £100,000 that are too big or too complex for the fast track. Track allocation decides procedure and, through fixed recoverable costs, almost exactly what the winner recovers. Here is what to check before you return the directions questionnaire.
Written by John Barwell
A clear, practical roadmap for LiPs to amend their ET claim and defuse intimidating costs threats.
Written by John Barwell
The SRA apologises after being ordered to pay £180,000 for improperly prosecuting a City lawyer, raising fresh concerns about its regulatory processes.
Written by John Barwell
The Solicitors Regulation Authority faces scrutiny after being ordered to pay £189,000 in costs following a failed prosecution against Dentons. This raises critical questions about regulatory practices in the UK legal sector.
Written by John Barwell
Explore the rise of Litigants in Person (LiPs) in the UK and navigate the complexities of legal costs in small claims and fast-track cases effectively.
Written by John Barwell Resource hub · Factsheet Legal Costs and Who Pays Them Understanding costs in small claims and fast-track cases Civil claims · Factsheet 7 of 17 Small Claims (up to £10,000) Each side usually pays their own legal costs Loser may pay winner’s expenses (e.g., court fees) Court can order costs if a party behaved unreasonably … Continue reading “7. Legal costs and who pays them”
Written by John Barwell
Poor legal advice can lead to prolonged litigation, financial strain, and emotional distress. Learn how to identify red flags and seek redress in the UK legal system.
Written by John Barwell
A default judgment is not the end of a case. Part 13 of the Civil Procedure Rules builds in two routes back — one mandatory, one discretionary — and the route you take decides what you must prove. This guide sets out both routes, the promptness requirement the rule itself names, and the evidence an application has to carry.
Written by John Barwell
Complaining about a lawyer is a two-stage process governed by three clocks: the firm’s eight weeks, six months from the final response, and one year from the problem. This guide sets out the Legal Ombudsman route as it works in 2026 — the April 2023 scheme rules, the £50,000 compensation cap, the £400 case fee (paid by firms, not complainants), current timescales, and what complainants can realistically expect.
Written by John Barwell
Employment Tribunal conduct may be disruptive in effect while mental impairment remains relevant to its cause. This article examines evidence, non-attendance, costs, unless orders, strike-out and fairness to both parties.
