Plain English legal cost guidance
What legal work can a paralegal do?
The right route depends on the work required. Some matters need a solicitor or barrister. Others first need disciplined document preparation, evidence organisation and a clear plan.
| Traditional open retainer | Fenton Marsh targeted support |
|---|---|
| Often useful where representation, reserved litigation, advocacy or complex regulated work is required. | Useful where the immediate need is documents, evidence, bundle preparation and practical guidance. |
| Costs can grow as emails, calls, drafts and administration continue. | We scope tasks wherever possible before paid work starts. |
| The client may pay for the whole law-firm structure. | More of the work is focused on the document, issue and evidence. |
| The solicitor may formally conduct litigation where instructed and authorised. | You remain responsible for filing, service, correspondence and hearings unless otherwise lawfully agreed. |
When Fenton Marsh may fit
You need statements, applications, bundles, evidence schedules, draft orders, correspondence or speaking notes and want the work scoped before cost runs away.
When a solicitor may be needed
If the work involves reserved litigation, formal representation, regulated advocacy, client money or specialist regulated advice, we will say so clearly.
What improves any route
A chronology, clean evidence file, list of issues and clear objective will reduce confusion whether you use us, a solicitor, counsel or act alone.
Legal work and boundaries
Paralegal support is strongest where the client needs preparation, clarity and documents.
Paralegals can carry out a wide range of non-reserved legal support work. In practical terms, that usually means reading the papers, helping identify the issue, preparing draft documents, organising evidence, building a bundle, creating a chronology, drafting correspondence and helping the client understand the next procedural step.
That work can be valuable because many disputes fail at the preparation stage. The client may have a real point, but the evidence is scattered, the statement reads like a diary, the bundle has no order, and the hearing point is buried. A paralegal-led service can focus the work on what the court, tribunal or opponent needs to see.
There are boundaries. Fenton Marsh does not present itself as a solicitor firm. We do not use the language of being on the court record for you. If your matter requires a solicitor, barrister, authorised litigator or specialist regulated professional, the right answer is to say so, not to pretend.
Practical support can include
- Court document preparation.
- Witness statement and exhibit drafting support.
- Evidence schedules and chronologies.
- Hearing and trial bundle organisation.
- Speaking notes and practical next-step guidance.
- Letters before action, responses and settlement correspondence.
How this helps the right client
For a litigant in person or small business, the benefit is not ceremony. The benefit is being able to move from worry and loose papers to a clear set of documents, a realistic view of risk and a practical plan. Start with court document help, litigant in person support or ways to reduce legal costs.
Free initial consultation
Send the papers. We will identify the next sensible step.
Tell us the deadline first. Then send the order, notice, claim, statement, correspondence or bundle index that explains what has happened.
No paid work starts unless scope and fee have been agreed.