Terms and Conditions

Terms and Conditions of Use

Please read this document carefully before agreeing to receive assistance from me.

Last updated: November 2026

1. Introduction

Please read this document carefully before agreeing to receive assistance from me. It explains the legal services I can and cannot provide, your responsibilities, the regulatory protections available to you, and the terms on which I provide assistance. My service, Companion Animal Law, provides unregulated legal information, advice, guidance and practical support concerning companion animal (pet) law in England and Wales. The Bar Standards Board (BSB) is my professional regulator. Its rules require me to explain the limitations of my work, the regulatory protections that do and do not apply, my professional indemnity insurance position, and your inability to complain to the Legal Ombudsman about this service. Before I begin providing assistance, I will ask you to confirm by signing and dating the bottom of this form that you have received, read, understood and agree to these terms and conditions.

2. The Legal Services I Can Provide

My work concerns companion animal law in England and Wales. I may: a. Explain relevant legal principles and provide legal advice and information about issues affecting you and your pet. b. Help you understand the possible legal remedies, procedures, risks, costs and options available to you. c. Review documents you have prepared, including correspondence, claim forms, witness statements and other court documents, and provide comments or suggestions. d. Review documents received from another party and explain their potential significance. e. Provide guidance on court procedures, the preparation and organisation of evidence, and compliance with procedural requirements. f. Assist you in understanding the documents and information that you may need to prepare or submit yourself. g. Where legally permitted, attend a hearing with you and act as a lay representative, subject to the applicable rules and the court's discretion. Any assistance I provide is limited to work that I am legally permitted and professionally competent to undertake.

3. Work I Cannot Undertake

I cannot undertake reserved legal activities pursuant to the Legal Services Act 2007 which may only be undertaken by a regulated solicitor or barrister. I cannot: a. Conduct litigation on your behalf, including drafting documents, formally issuing proceedings, filing or serving court documents as your legal representative, or accepting service of documents on your behalf. b. Exercise a reserved right of audience unless I am legally entitled to do so under an applicable exemption (see 2.g. above). c. Receive, transfer or pay client money on your behalf. d. Guarantee any particular outcome in your case. e. Undertake work that is outside my knowledge, experience or competence. Representation at court hearings: A right of audience is the legal entitlement to appear before a court and address it on behalf of another person. Although I do not have a general right of audience as a practising barrister, I may be able to represent you as a lay representative under the Lay Representatives (Rights of Audience) Order 1999. This generally requires you to attend the hearing, and the representation must fall within the scope of the Order and any applicable court rules.

4. Your Responsibilities

You remain responsible for the conduct and management of your own case. This is particularly important if court proceedings are commenced or are already underway. Your responsibilities include but are not limited to: a. Complying with all court orders, procedural rules, directions and deadlines. b. Drafting, completing, checking, signing, filing and serving court documents. c. Obtaining, preserving and organising relevant evidence. d. Providing complete, accurate and truthful information about your circumstances. e. Informing me promptly of any new developments, correspondence, court orders or deadlines. f. Attending hearings where required. g. Obtaining advice or representation from an authorised solicitor or practising barrister where necessary. h. Paying court fees, any costs ordered by the court and any judgment sums for which you become liable. i. Paying my agreed fees and any agreed disbursements (eg mileage, travel). j. You must notify me immediately of any hearing, deadline or material change in circumstances that may affect the assistance I can provide. For clarity, filing a document means formally submitting it to the court, while serving a document means providing it to another party in accordance with the applicable procedural rules. Although I may provide guidance or review documents, the responsibility for ensuring that documents are correct and submitted on time remains yours.

5. Fees, Payment, Court Fees and Other Costs

Payment for my services is required in advance. Where additional work is required beyond the agreed scope, I will explain the proposed additional charges and obtain your agreement before undertaking that work. Payment for agreed disbursements is required within seven days of the disbursement being incurred and notified to you. I reserve the right to suspend or terminate services where payment has not been made in accordance with the agreed terms, subject to applicable law and any obligations relating to your matter. I do not offer conditional fee arrangements, commonly described as "no win, no fee". In addition to my fees, your matter may involve other expenses. These may include: a. Court issue fees, hearing fees and application fees. b. Fees for applications to adjourn or vary hearing dates. c. Expert witness fees or other evidential expenses. d. Travel expenses, parking charges and other disbursements. e. Costs or expenses that the court may order you to pay another party. In small claims proceedings, the ability to recover legal costs is generally restricted. However, the court may order certain costs or expenses to be paid, and additional costs may be awarded in circumstances including unreasonable conduct. You should not assume that you will recover all your expenses if you win, or that you cannot be ordered to pay costs if you lose.

6. Availability and Court Hearings

I will make all reasonable efforts to provide agreed services within the timescales discussed with you. However, I also undertake other professional work as a self-employed county court advocate, which may affect my availability. If your matter proceeds to a court hearing and you would like me to represent you as a lay representative, my attendance will depend on my availability and whether I am legally permitted to represent you. Attendance at a hearing must be specifically agreed in advance. I cannot guarantee that I will be available for every hearing or on dates fixed by the court. If an unforeseen professional commitment, illness or personal emergency prevents me from attending, I will notify you as soon as reasonably practicable. If an application to adjourn or vary a hearing date is necessary, you remain responsible for making that application and paying any applicable court fee, unless otherwise agreed in writing. The court is not obliged to grant an adjournment because I am unavailable. You should therefore be prepared to attend and conduct your case yourself or arrange alternative representation where necessary (and I may be able to assist with that). Any cancellation, postponement or refund arrangements relating to a booked service will be governed by the applicable written booking or engagement terms and your statutory rights.

7. Professional Indemnity Insurance

I cannot guarantee that suitable insurance will be available.

8. Complaints and Concerns

I aim to provide a careful, professional and helpful service. If you have any concerns about my conduct, advice, communication or the assistance I provide, I encourage you to raise them with me as soon as possible. You may raise concerns verbally, but I may ask that you put them in writing so that I can respond properly.

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