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Docketory

Do you need a solicitor?

How doing it yourself, Docketory, a solicitor, and free advice compare, and when each is the right choice.

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  • Not solicitors. Permitted legal support under the Legal Services Act 2007

The short answer

Most parking, council, consumer, and ombudsman matters can be handled without a solicitor, with help preparing the papers. If you need someone to file at court for you or speak for you at a hearing, need immigration advice, or have a hearing within days, go to a solicitor or a free advice body. Docketory is the wrong choice for those.

Your four options, side by side

Do it yourself

What it costs
No fee, apart from any official fee, such as a court fee.
Who it suits
Someone with time, a clear-cut matter, and the confidence to write the letters and keep to the deadlines.
What you get
Full control, with the official guidance on GOV.UK and the appeal bodies' own sites.
What it cannot do
It cannot take the work off your hands, and nobody checks your arguments before you send them.
Where to start
GOV.UK, and the appeal body named on your ticket or letter.

Docketory

What it costs
A fixed price for each service, shown on our pricing page, with no subscription. The first check of a ticket is free.
Who it suits
Someone who wants the work prepared for them in a parking, enforcement, consumer, deposit, or ombudsman matter, and who will file anything at court themselves.
What you get
A review of your papers, then the appeal, letters, or documents drafted for you. For a private parking charge, we submit the appeal and take it to POPLA or IAS if the operator rejects it.
What it cannot do
It cannot file at court for you, speak for you at a hearing, or give regulated or immigration advice. Docketory is not a firm of solicitors.
Where to start
The free check of your ticket, or the contact form for anything else.

A solicitor

What it costs
Usually charged by the hour, with a fixed fee for some first meetings; legal aid covers some matters.
Who it suits
Someone facing court proceedings who wants a professional to act for them, or whose matter is complex or worth a lot.
What you get
Advice from a solicitor on your case, and someone who can act for you in court and speak for you at a hearing.
What it cannot do
It is rarely the cheapest route for a small dispute, because the cost can be more than the dispute is worth.
Where to start
The Law Society's Find a Solicitor, and GOV.UK's check if you can get legal aid.

Free advice

What it costs
Nothing. Charities such as Citizens Advice give free help.
Who it suits
Someone on a low income, or with a debt, benefits, housing, or work problem, who wants guidance from an independent adviser.
What you get
Independent guidance on your rights and options, and help with forms and letters.
What it cannot do
It may not be able to take on every case, and some services help only with certain problems.
Where to start
Citizens Advice, or the charity for your problem: StepChange for debt, Shelter for housing, Acas for work, and MoneyHelper for money.

When Docketory is the wrong choice

We prepare papers; we do not act for anyone in court. In these cases, go straight to the help listed.

Common questions

Start with a free check of your ticket.

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