Frequently asked questions

Independent Legal Advice is advice given by a legal adviser who is entirely independent of the other parties to your transaction: your lender, your bank or the other side. Lenders require it to be sure you understand the document you are signing and are entering into it freely. Once you've received the advice, we issue a signed certificate confirming it.

Our appointments take place by secure video call, which means we can see you quickly, often the same day. Lenders set their own requirements for the advice, and your conveyancer can confirm what yours needs. If your document must be witnessed, which is usual when it is signed as a deed, you will need an independent adult witness with you: your advice is given to you privately, then your witness joins you on camera for the signing at the end. If your lender requires a wet-ink signature, that is fine: the advice still happens on the video call, and you post the signed original to us afterwards to be counter-signed and returned.

Your certificate is emailed the same working day as your appointment, on every service. That part never changes. What the fee changes is how soon we can see you: Priority Same-Day appointments are available today, Fast Track the next day if you book before 6pm, and Standard from two days ahead.

Our certificates are prepared to satisfy standard lender requirements. If your lender has issued a specific form of certificate or wording, mention it in your booking notes and email the form to us at info@ilahub.com and we'll complete their form.

You'll need photo ID (which you verify online before the appointment), a copy of the document you're being asked to sign, and a quiet place with a camera and microphone. If your solicitor or broker has papers for us, they can email them to us at info@ilahub.com before your appointment.

Yes. If two or more of you need advice on the same matter, for example joint occupiers or two guarantors, you can all be added to one booking. Each person is advised separately, in their own 30-minute appointment, and the appointments run back to back. Each person pays the per-person fee and receives their own certificate.

Our fees are fixed per person and depend on how soon you need your appointment: Standard £150, Fast Track £250 and Priority Same-Day £350 per person. A transfer of equity is priced separately, at £500, £750 or £950 per person for the same three speeds. No VAT is added and there are no hidden extras: the only possible addition to the fee you see is return postage, if your lender needs a wet-ink original. You pay securely online when you book. These fees apply to transactions where the loan, facility or guarantee amount is up to £2,000,000; for anything larger, contact us before booking and we'll confirm how we can help.

No. £150, £250 and £350 (or £500, £750 and £950 for a transfer of equity) are the total amounts you pay per person. No VAT is added at checkout, and there is nothing further to pay afterwards: identity verification, completing your lender's own certificate form and sending the certificate to your solicitor or lender are all included in the fee.

You can rearrange your appointment free of charge up to 24 hours before it starts. Just reply to your confirmation email. If you cancel more than 24 hours before your appointment, we'll refund you in full, less any card processing costs. Cancel within 24 hours of the appointment and we'll refund 50%, as the slot can no longer be offered to someone else.