1. Who we are

JSH Law Ltd is a company registered in England and Wales under company number 16870438.

Correspondence address:
JSH Law Ltd
c/o Mayes Business Partnership
Red Rose Court
Accrington
United Kingdom
BB5 5JR

Email: jessica.hill@jshlaw.co.uk

2. Our legal and regulatory status

JSH Law Ltd provides non-reserved legal services, litigation support and McKenzie Friend assistance.

Unless expressly agreed otherwise and lawfully permitted:

• we are not acting as your solicitor or barrister;
• we are not an SRA-authorised law firm;
• we do not go on the court record as your legal representative;
• we do not conduct litigation on your behalf;
• we do not accept service as your legal representative;
• we do not sign statements of truth or court documents on your behalf;
• we do not give undertakings on your behalf; and
• we have no automatic right to address the court, make submissions or question witnesses.

Depending on the work agreed, our service may include legal information and assistance with non-reserved legal matters. That does not make JSH Law an authorised solicitor’s practice.

If your case requires reserved legal activity or regulated representation, we may recommend that you obtain advice or representation from an appropriately authorised solicitor, barrister or other regulated professional.

3. Your status as a litigant in person

You remain responsible for your proceedings and for the decisions made in your case. JSH Law assists you; it does not take over responsibility for conducting your litigation.

You remain responsible for:

• providing complete, accurate and timely instructions;
• providing all relevant orders, evidence and documents;
• telling us about hearings, court orders and deadlines;
• checking drafts carefully before using them;
• ensuring that factual assertions and statements of truth are accurate;
• deciding whether to use, change, sign, file, serve or send any draft;
• complying with court orders, procedural rules and directions;
• filing and serving documents unless a specific lawful administrative step has been agreed;
• attending hearings and addressing the court unless permission is given for someone else to do so; and
• obtaining regulated legal representation where reasonably required.

4. What JSH Law can help with

Depending upon the scope agreed with you, our work may include:

• reviewing court orders and case papers;
• reviewing witness statements, expert reports and Cafcass material;
• organising evidence and identifying gaps or inconsistencies;
• preparing chronologies and schedules;
• helping with witness statements and position statements;
• preparing hearing notes and case summaries;
• drafting correspondence for your review and sending;
• legal and procedural research relevant to the task agreed;
• helping you understand procedural options and practical next steps;
• bundle and document organisation;
• telephone and video consultations;
• hearing preparation and post-hearing support;
• McKenzie Friend attendance where agreed and permitted; and
• administrative assistance that does not amount to the conduct of litigation.

A limited review of specified documents is not a review of your entire case unless we expressly agree otherwise.

Unless specifically agreed, our service does not include specialist financial, tax, medical, psychological, immigration or other professional advice outside the scope of the work instructed.

5. Task Confirmations and scope of work

We only accept responsibility for work that we have agreed to undertake.

For substantial work, we may issue a written Task Confirmation by email, Clio, invoice, WhatsApp, client portal message or another written communication.

A Task Confirmation may identify:

• the work you have asked us to perform;
• the documents to be reviewed;
• the fee or estimate;
• any urgency;
• relevant assumptions;
• any deadline we have expressly agreed to work towards; and
• anything that is outside the agreed scope.

We do not accept responsibility for a hearing date, filing date, service date or other deadline merely because you mention it, forward an email containing it, copy us into correspondence or upload documents containing the date.

Responsibility for a deadline is accepted only where we expressly agree in writing to undertake work by reference to that deadline.

Further work may require a new Task Confirmation, revised estimate and/or further payment.

6. Standard of service

JSH Law will perform the services agreed with you with reasonable care and skill.

We do not guarantee a judgment, order, finding, recommendation, settlement, procedural decision, costs outcome, timetable or litigation result.

Any view we give about strategy, procedure, prospects or possible outcomes is an assessment based on the information available at that time. It is not a promise of what a judge, Cafcass officer, expert, local authority, opponent or other decision-maker will do.

The law, procedural rules and guidance may change. Unless ongoing monitoring has specifically been agreed, our work speaks as at the date it is provided.

7. Family court confidentiality

Family proceedings frequently contain private, confidential and legally restricted material.

You must tell us about any specific order restricting disclosure, copying, storage, communication or publication of information in your case.

Information and filed evidence may generally be provided to a McKenzie Friend for the purpose of obtaining advice or assistance in the proceedings, subject to applicable law and any specific court order.

Permission to provide material to us for case preparation does not mean that the material can lawfully be published, posted online or distributed more widely.

8. Safeguarding, vulnerability and reasonable adjustments

JSH Law recognises that family proceedings may involve domestic abuse, coercive control, trauma, disability, communication difficulties and child or adult safeguarding concerns.

Please tell us if you require a reasonable adjustment or particular communication arrangement. We will consider what can reasonably be provided.

Where continuing with an instruction would create a serious safeguarding, legal or ethical concern, we may pause the work, seek clarification, recommend regulated advice or terminate the instruction where appropriate.

9. Fees

Unless a fixed fee or different rate is agreed in writing, our standard rates are:

Time is normally recorded in six-minute units. Consultations normally have a 30-minute minimum charge. Court attendance and travel normally have a one-hour minimum unless otherwise agreed.

Substantive emails, WhatsApp messages, calls, voice notes or other communications requiring case-specific legal, evidential, procedural or strategic consideration may be chargeable. Short purely administrative communications may be dealt with without charge at our discretion.

An estimate is not a fixed quotation unless we expressly say that the fee is fixed.

Reasonable third-party expenses may be payable in addition where agreed or reasonably necessary for the work requested.

Your invoice will state whether VAT is chargeable. VAT will not be added unless legally applicable and shown on the relevant invoice or Task Confirmation.

See our pricing information for further details.

10. Payment

Payment is normally required in advance. We may issue invoices through Clio or another payment provider.

We are not obliged to begin or continue work until cleared funds have been received.

Advance payments are payments to JSH Law Ltd for services. They are not held in an SRA-regulated solicitor client account.

JSH Law does not ordinarily accept money to hold as stakeholder for another person. Court fees, experts, barristers and other third-party costs should normally be paid directly by you unless expressly agreed otherwise.

Where a payment on account is not fully used, any balance properly due back to you will be refunded after the account has been reconciled, subject to fees and agreed expenses properly due.

If funds are exhausted, we may pause the work and request further payment.

If an invoice becomes overdue, we may suspend further work, decline further attendance, terminate the instruction and/or pursue the unpaid sum through the ordinary civil debt-recovery process where appropriate.

11. Invoice queries

If you have a query about an invoice, please raise it promptly, preferably within seven days, and identify the item you query and the reason.

This request does not remove any statutory right you may have to challenge a charge later.

Where only part of an invoice is disputed, any undisputed amount remains payable unless we agree otherwise.

12. Appointments and cancellation

These contractual cancellation arrangements are separate from statutory consumer cancellation rights described below.

Ordinary consultations and appointments

You may normally cancel or rearrange an ordinary consultation without a cancellation charge by giving at least 24 hours’ notice.

If less notice is given, we may charge a reasonable amount for time that could not reasonably be reallocated, up to the booked consultation fee or the time actually reserved, whichever is lower.

Hearings, urgent drafting and substantial reserved time

Where significant time is reserved for a hearing, urgent drafting task, conference or other substantial work, any cancellation arrangement will be stated in the relevant Task Confirmation.

Any cancellation charge will be limited to a reasonable and proportionate amount reflecting work already undertaken, non-refundable expenditure and/or time that could not reasonably be reallocated.

If a hearing is adjourned, vacated, delayed or shortened, preparation already carried out, travel already undertaken and non-refundable expenses remain chargeable. A separate reserved-time fee is payable only where it was clearly agreed in advance and is fair and proportionate.

13. Urgent work and deadlines

Urgent work is accepted only where we confirm that we can take it on.

We do not guarantee same-day or out-of-hours work.

Where instructions or documents are received late, are incomplete or arrive close to a deadline, we will use reasonable efforts within the scope agreed but may need to limit the review.

We are not responsible for consequences caused by late instructions, missing documents, inaccurate information or insufficient time for proper work.

You remain responsible for final checking, signing, filing and service unless a specific lawful administrative step has been expressly agreed with us.

14. Communications and availability

We may communicate with you by email, telephone, video call, Clio, WhatsApp or another agreed electronic channel.

Electronic communication carries ordinary risks including delay, misdirection, interception, service outage and technical failure.

You are responsible for keeping your contact details current and checking your inbox, spam/junk folder and relevant messages.

JSH Law does not provide a 24-hour emergency or on-call service. A response outside ordinary working hours does not create an obligation to respond outside those hours in future.

We may require important instructions, approvals, complaints, disputed matters or cancellations to be confirmed in writing.

15. Court attendance and McKenzie Friend support

Where JSH Law agrees to attend a hearing, you remain the litigant in person and the court controls the assistance that may be provided.

A McKenzie Friend may ordinarily:

• provide moral support;
• take notes;
• help with papers; and
• quietly give advice.

A McKenzie Friend has no automatic right to address the court, make submissions, question witnesses or conduct litigation.

Where you wish a McKenzie Friend to speak on your behalf, any application for a right of audience is for the judge to determine in the individual case. Permission is not guaranteed.

If the court limits or refuses our participation, work already undertaken, preparation, agreed travel, waiting and attendance remain chargeable in accordance with the fee terms agreed with you.

16. Draft documents and intellectual property

Drafts are prepared for your review. They should not be treated as approved for filing, service or sending until you have checked and adopted them.

You remain responsible for checking names, dates, quotations, factual assertions, exhibits and the position advanced in any document.

You retain ownership of documents and factual material belonging to you.

JSH Law retains ownership of its underlying templates, systems, know-how, precedents, checklists and working methods.

Once the relevant fee has been paid, you may use final materials supplied by us for your own matter and when obtaining further advice about that matter.

17. Confidentiality

We will keep information relating to your matter confidential, subject to applicable law and the qualifications below.

Information may be disclosed where:

• you authorise the disclosure;
• it is reasonably necessary to provide the service you have requested;
• it is shared with an appropriate technology or service provider acting for us;
• disclosure is required by law or court order;
• disclosure is permitted and reasonably necessary in relation to a serious safeguarding risk;
• we need professional, insurance, legal or technical advice; or
• it is reasonably necessary to deal with a complaint, fee dispute, legal claim or debt recovery.

Where practicable, disclosure will be limited to what is reasonably necessary for the relevant purpose.

18. Data protection, cloud services and AI-assisted tools

We may use reputable third-party providers for case management, secure storage, email, video meetings, payments, transcription, document handling, research, cybersecurity, backup and administration.

AI-assisted tools may support tasks including document organisation, chronology preparation, summarisation, transcription, initial drafting, research support, issue spotting, quality control and administration.

Substantive AI-assisted output used in client work is subject to human review.

We seek to minimise personal information supplied to technology providers and to use appropriate privacy, security and data-protection measures.

Some service providers may process information outside the United Kingdom. Where applicable, appropriate arrangements will be used in accordance with data-protection law.

JSH Law does not make the final decision about your litigation by a solely automated process.

If you have a particular concern about use of an AI-assisted or cloud system for exceptionally sensitive information, tell us before providing that material. We will consider whether the work can reasonably be provided on an alternative basis.

For further information, please read our Privacy Policy.

19. Recording calls and meetings

If you wish to record a consultation, call or meeting with JSH Law, please tell us in advance.

We may agree, impose reasonable conditions or decline to continue a call or meeting that is being recorded.

Recordings must not be used to breach family court confidentiality, data-protection law, third-party rights or other legal restrictions.

Nothing in these terms removes a legal right that cannot lawfully be excluded or prevents a disclosure required by law or court order.

20. Files and retention

JSH Law may maintain an electronic matter file containing documents, communications, attendance notes, drafts, invoices and payment records.

Our usual retention period for a closed client matter is six years after closure. Particular records may be retained for a shorter or longer period where reasonably required by law, tax obligations, safeguarding considerations, complaints, disputes, insurance requirements or another legitimate reason.

Records may be securely deleted or destroyed once the appropriate retention period expires. You should retain your own copies of important court documents and final materials.

21. Responsibility and liability

Nothing in these Terms excludes or limits liability where the law does not permit exclusion or limitation, including liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation.

Nothing in these Terms removes your statutory consumer rights.

JSH Law is responsible for loss that is a reasonably foreseeable result of our breach of the agreement with you or our failure to use reasonable care and skill, subject to ordinary legal principles relating to causation and mitigation.

We are not responsible for loss to the extent that it is caused by matters outside our responsibility, including:

• a decision made by a court, Cafcass officer, expert, local authority, opponent or other third party;
• inaccurate, incomplete, misleading or late information supplied to us;
• documents that were not provided within the agreed scope or in sufficient time;
• your decision not to follow or to materially alter a draft or recommendation;
• your failure to check, sign, file, serve or comply with an order or deadline;
• advice or actions of another adviser or third party over whom we have no control;
• a technical, platform, court-listing or other event outside our reasonable control; or
• use of work for a different matter or purpose from that for which it was prepared.

We are not responsible for losses that neither party could reasonably have foreseen when the relevant work was agreed, except where the law provides otherwise.

22. Ending our instruction

You may end your instruction to JSH Law at any time by telling us in writing.

You remain responsible for fees for work properly carried out and agreed non-refundable expenditure, subject to any statutory cancellation right that applies.

JSH Law may suspend or end an instruction where there is a reasonable basis to do so, including:

• non-payment;
• inadequate instructions;
• a conflict of interest;
• dishonesty or knowingly misleading information;
• abusive or threatening conduct;
• a serious breakdown in trust;
• safety concerns;
• a request to act unlawfully or mislead the court; or
• the matter requiring regulated representation outside our role.

Where reasonably practicable, we will give notice that the instruction is ending and identify any imminent deadline of which we are actually aware.

You remain responsible for the proceedings and should obtain alternative assistance promptly where required.

Any unused advance payment properly due back to you will be accounted for when the matter is closed.

23. Complaints

If you are unhappy with our service, fees or communication, please tell us as soon as possible so that we have an opportunity to address the issue.

Complaints should be sent to:

Complaints Manager
JSH Law Ltd
c/o Mayes Business Partnership
Red Rose Court
Accrington
BB5 5JR

Email: jessica.hill@jshlaw.co.uk

We aim to acknowledge a complaint within five working days and provide a substantive written response within 21 days of acknowledgement. If additional time is reasonably required, we will explain why and provide a revised timescale.

JSH Law Ltd is not an SRA-authorised law firm. Complaints about JSH Law’s services are therefore not ordinarily dealt with through the SRA complaints regime or the Legal Ombudsman in the same way as complaints about an authorised solicitors’ firm.

You remain free to obtain independent legal or consumer advice and to exercise any statutory or court remedy available to you.

See our full Complaints Procedure.

24. Your statutory 14-day cancellation rights

If you are a consumer and the statutory distance or off-premises cancellation rules apply, you will normally have 14 days after the contract is entered into in which to cancel without giving a reason.

You may cancel by sending us a clear statement that you wish to cancel. The model cancellation form contained in our Client Agreement may be used, but you do not have to use that form.

If you want us to begin work before the 14-day cancellation period has expired, we require your express request to begin early.

If you request early performance and then cancel during the cancellation period before the agreed service has been completed, you may be required to pay a proportionate amount for the services actually supplied before you told us that you wished to cancel.

If the service has been fully performed within the cancellation period following your express request to begin early, and you acknowledged that your cancellation right would be lost on full performance, the statutory right to cancel may end once the service has been fully performed.

Where a refund is due following statutory cancellation, it will be made within the period required by law.

These statutory rights take priority over any inconsistent contractual cancellation term.

25. Governing law

These Terms and any agreement for services with JSH Law are governed by the law of England and Wales.

The courts of England and Wales have jurisdiction, subject to any mandatory consumer right allowing proceedings to be brought elsewhere.

If we agree to help with documents or issues connected with another jurisdiction, that does not mean that JSH Law is qualified or authorised to advise on that jurisdiction’s law. Appropriate local legal advice should be obtained where required.

26. Documents that form part of our relationship with you

These Terms of Service should be read alongside:

• the JSH Law Client Agreement and Terms of Business;
• any matter-specific Task Confirmation;
• your invoice or fee agreement;
• Privacy Policy;
• Complaints Procedure;
• Safeguarding Statement; and
• Website and Legal Information Disclaimer.

Where a Task Confirmation expressly changes the scope, fee, timing or practical arrangement for a particular task, that Task Confirmation will apply to that issue.

The JSH Law Client Agreement and Terms of Business remains the principal contractual framework governing client work.