Unbundled Legal Services? Yes, Please!

Hi Everyone, it's Kristy from Clearly Legal.

I wanted to discuss Unbundled Legal Services today.

Whether you are a lawyer or a self-rep, legal processes can feel overwhelming and expensive. Many lawyers do all of the work, substantive and procedural themselves (not a good use of time or resources). Many self-reps avoid seeking any kind of help because they worry about high costs or paying for services they do not fully need.

What if you could get help only for the specific part of your legal process where you need support? That is exactly what unbundled legal services offer.

Unbundled legal services let you pay for just the piece of legal work you want help with, not the entire file. This approach can save you money, and give you more control over your legal matters.

What Are Unbundled Legal Services?

Unbundled legal services, also can also be called limited scope representation, break down the legal process into smaller tasks. Lawyers, instead of doing it ALL yourself (or hiring an employee you might not need or want yet), you can hire me to take on the clerking work. Self-Reps, Instead of hiring a lawyer to handle everything, you choose which parts you want help with. For example:

• Drafting or reviewing legal documents

• Filling out court forms

• Preparing for a hearing or trial

• Getting advice on a specific legal question or procedure

  
  

Lawyers, you handle the substantive, and a law clerk (me) steps in with the procedural. Self-Reps, you handle the parts you feel comfortable with, and a lawyer or licensed paralegal steps in only where you need expertise. This way, you avoid paying for full representation or full time help, and reduce overall costs.

Examples of Unbundled Legal Services in Action

Lawyers - Imagine you were hired to commence litigation in Ontario, and need help, but not with the whole process. Self Reps - Imagine you want to commence litigation in Ontario file but do not want to hire a lawyer for the entire process. You might:

• Draft your own pleading, and getting help to review

• Get your own documents ready, and get help organizing them.

• Get help preparing for court hearings only

• Get help with the pieces you need help with.

Why Choose Clearly Legal for Unbundled Services?

I am a freelance law clerk, helping lawyers as they need it (literally unbundles services) is what I offer.

Self-Reps, yes, I can help, and I can only help Self-Reps organize documents into chronological order, convert documents into PDF and combine PDFS to be court ready. Self-Reps, if you require any advice, please look for a licensed paralegal or lawyer.

If you want to learn how unbundled legal services can help you save money and get the support you need, contact me at kristy@clearlylegal.ca.