Independent Legal Advice Solicitors
Services
- Objective legal advice and analysis to ensure proper decision-making.
- Review, analysis and legal opinions relating to individuals and businesses.
Trusted Independent Legal Advice for Business Owners and Individuals
When a lender, counterparty, or employer requires you to obtain independent legal advice before signing a document, the stakes are real. Gurve Legal provides ILA services in London for business owners, directors, employees, and individuals who need clear, impartial advice from a qualified solicitor with no conflicting interests.
Whether you are signing a personal guarantee on behalf of your company, entering a settlement agreement, or providing consent on a mortgage arrangement, our solicitors explain every obligation in plain English and issue your ILA certificate promptly. We work closely with both lenders and borrowers, both employers and employees, so we understand exactly what each party needs from the process.
Speed matters with independent legal advice. Transactions often have tight timelines, and we offer prompt appointments to keep your deal moving without unnecessary delay.
Our Independent Legal Advice Services
Personal Guarantees for Business Directors
If a commercial lender is asking you to personally guarantee your company’s borrowing, you need to understand exactly what you are agreeing to. A personal guarantee puts your own assets at risk if the business cannot meet its obligations. Our solicitors review the guarantee document, explain the scope of your liability, and issue the ILA certificate your lender requires.
- Director guarantees for business loans and overdrafts
- Personal guarantees for commercial property leases
- Guarantees for invoice finance and trade credit facilities
- Review of unlimited versus capped guarantee terms
Settlement Agreements
Employees are legally required to take independent legal advice before signing a settlement agreement. Our solicitors advise individuals on the terms of the agreement, what rights they are waiving, and whether the offer is fair. Businesses negotiating settlement agreements with departing staff can also instruct us to advise the other party quickly, keeping the process on track. For more detail on the wider employment law context, see our settlement agreements service.
- Advice on compensation amounts and waiver of employment claims
- Confidentiality clauses and post-termination restrictions
- Reference wording and agreed announcements
- Quick turnaround to meet employer deadlines
Mortgage and Property Consent Arrangements
Lenders routinely require independent legal advice where a property owner is providing security for someone else’s borrowing, or where a co-occupier is not a named borrower. We advise on the financial exposure involved and confirm your informed consent via an ILA certificate.
- Occupier’s consent forms for residential and commercial properties
- Joint borrower sole proprietor mortgage arrangements
- Second charges and equity release arrangements
- Transfer of equity with a new mortgage
Commercial Contracts and Business Agreements
Independent legal advice is sometimes required in the context of commercial transactions, particularly where one party is at an informational disadvantage or where a lender or franchisor insists on it. Our commercial law background means we can advise on the full range of business documents, including franchise agreements, shareholders’ agreements, and partnership agreements.
- Franchise disclosure documents and franchise agreements
- Shareholder and partnership agreements where ILA is requested
- Business sale and acquisition documents
- Commercial loan and security arrangements
ILA Certificates
Once we have advised you fully on the document in question, we issue a signed ILA certificate confirming that you understood the terms and entered the arrangement freely. This certificate can then be provided to the lender, employer, or other relevant party to satisfy their requirements.
- Certificates issued to lender specification
- Same-day or next-day appointments where needed
- Remote video and telephone consultations available
- Prompt despatch to relevant parties
Employment-Related Independent Legal Advice
Beyond settlement agreements, independent legal advice may be needed in connection with restrictive covenant agreements, equity incentive schemes, or changes to employment terms. Our employment law team advises both employers and employees, so we understand the commercial interests on both sides. See also our guidance on employment contracts and policies.
- Advice on post-termination restrictions and non-compete clauses
- ILA in connection with share option and EMI scheme documentation
- Amendments to employment contracts where employer requires ILA
Why Choose Gurve Legal
We Advise Both Sides of the Same Transaction
Most firms will advise only one party. Gurve Legal regularly acts for both employers and employees, directors and lenders, buyers and sellers across our practice areas. That dual perspective means we understand what the other party’s document is designed to achieve, and we can advise you accordingly with genuine insight rather than theoretical knowledge.
Commercial Focus for SMEs and Owner-Managed Businesses
We work primarily with SMEs, business owners, and directors. When you come to us for independent legal advice, we are not reading documents in isolation from how businesses actually operate. We understand the commercial pressure to close a deal quickly and can give you practical, outcome-focused advice rather than lengthy caveats that delay nothing.
Speed Without Shortcuts
Independent legal advice is often a last-minute requirement. We offer prompt appointments, including remote consultations by telephone or video call, and aim to issue ILA certificates quickly so that your transaction proceeds on schedule. Our processes are built around the reality that timing matters, and we will not create unnecessary delays.
Broader Legal Support When You Need It
Because Gurve Legal is a full-service commercial firm, we can support you beyond the ILA appointment itself. If the document you are signing raises concerns about a related matter, for example a dispute that may arise from the agreement, or a corporate restructuring connected to the guarantee, our wider team is available to advise. You do not need to instruct multiple firms.
Get Your ILA Certificate Quickly and Confidently
If you need independent legal advice for a personal guarantee, settlement agreement, mortgage arrangement, or commercial contract, our solicitors can advise you clearly and issue your certificate without unnecessary delay. Contact us today to book an appointment.