How to Work with a Solicitor Without Paying Solicitor Prices

Most people think there are two options in family 

court proceedings. Pay a solicitor to run your case. 

Or go it alone.

There is a third option. And it is the one most 

solicitors do not volunteer.

You prepare the document. Your solicitor reviews it.

You pay for one hour, not ten.

This model has a name in the legal profession. 

It is called unbundled legal services. It is 

legitimate, it is recognised by the Law Society, 

and used correctly it can reduce your legal bill 

by 70% or more.

This guide tells you exactly how to use it.

WHAT THIS GUIDE COVERS:

PART 1 — WHAT UNBUNDLED LEGAL SERVICES ARE

The traditional model vs the unbundled model. 

Real examples of how it works in practice. 

Why it is legitimate and increasingly common. 

How to be clear with your solicitor about what 

you are asking them to do.

PART 2 — THE REAL COST COMPARISON

What solicitors charge to draft versus review. 

The actual numbers:

Witness statement drafted by solicitor: 

£1,000 to £3,200. Drafted by you, reviewed 

by solicitor: £250 to £800. Saving: up to 75%.

Form E: saving up to 70%. Position statement: 

saving up to 80%. Over a full case the 

difference can be £20,000 or more.

PART 3 — WHICH DOCUMENTS TO PREPARE YOURSELF

Witness statements, position statements, 

Form E, C100 applications, Scott schedules. 

Which documents work well for self-preparation 

and which you should still instruct on. 

No guesswork.

PART 4 — HOW TO BRIEF A SOLICITOR EFFICIENTLY

The most expensive thing you can do is call 

a solicitor unprepared. How to prepare a 

one-page chronology, a clear question list, 

and a covering note that cuts your billable 

time in half before the call starts.

PART 5 — FINDING A SOLICITOR FOR UNBUNDLED 

SERVICES

Not all solicitors offer this. How to find 

one who does. What to say when you contact 

them. What a good unbundled solicitor will 

do and what to expect.

PART 6 — THE INFORMED CLIENT

The third way to use Be Your Best Lawyer. 

You have a solicitor running your case. 

Stop paying them to explain the basics. 

Use the Playbook series to understand 

strategy, process and what judges look for. 

Use your solicitor for what only they can do.

WHAT YOU GET:

✓ Complete guide to unbundled legal services

✓ The real cost comparison with actual figures

✓ Which documents to prepare yourself

✓ How to brief a solicitor efficiently

✓ How to find an unbundled solicitor

✓ Written by a qualified solicitor (non-practising)

✓ PDF, instant download, lifetime access

Draft it yourself. Have your solicitor check it. 

Pay for one hour, not ten.

Fight your best fight. Whether you go alone or 

with professional backup, walk in knowing exactly 

what you are doing.

For educational purposes only. Not legal advice.

Eugene Pienaar is a non-practising Solicitor of 

the Supreme Court of England and Wales.