Access to online legal documents and forms has made legal services easier and more accessible to many businesses. Whether you chose fixed fee document drafting or simply opt for a ready-made document template, there are plenty of ways to make legal transactions easier and more cost effective.
At The Legal Stop we believe that legal services should be client-friendly and accessible to all. From online legal documents and forms – including free legal documents – to bespoke written contracts and fixed fee legal services, we offer various solutions to suit different business needs. Our fixed fee approach gives clients the assurance that they can have an expertly drafted legal contract without going over budget.
One of the questions we are often asked is what is the difference between document templates and bespoke document drafting? If you are in need of a legal document, you may wonder if a template will cover your needs or whether a more bespoke document is required.
When should you choose one approach over the other?
Here is a quick guide to how our services work and how to know which option to select.
Document templates
There is no question that online document templates are incredibly convenient. They can be downloaded instantly and immediately provide you with a legally binding document ready to sign.
Templates are of course also the cheapest option to meet your legal needs, since they are written as generic templates. If you are looking for something simple, that covers the basics, these are a great option.
There are a wide range of online legal documents and forms available in template form that can be adapted as needed.
Free legal documents
You will notice when browsing our document templates that we offer a range of free legal documents. Along with numerous informative articles covering a range of legal topics, these support our aim of making the law more accessible and user-friendly for all our clients.
The advantages of Document Templates:
A document template cannot replace legal counsel, and in many situations these document templates may not cover everything you need.
Due to their generic nature, they will not be tailored to your business’s specific circumstances, leaving you exposed. Whilst transactions typically have many common features, there will nearly always be aspects of a contract or deal that are unique (or at least unusual). If your requirements are more complex, you may prefer to have a bespoke document drafted specifically with your business in mind.
Discovering too late that your document is invalid or insufficient could cost you far more in the long run.
Although you are able to make your own changes to the templates provided, it is advisable that you find a qualified lawyer to make those changes for you. Even very minor changes can impact the validity of the legal document if you are not careful.
Fixed fee legal services
Business owners often wish to avoid document drafting because they are worried about the cost. Lengthy negotiations and multiple redrafts can result in legal fees starting to rack up very quickly.
Fixed fee legal services are a great way to stay in control of your expenses. Our fixed fee document drafting means you only pay one price – which is agreed at the start – no matter how complex your document.
Bespoke document drafting
Bespoke written contracts should really be your preferred option for any important business issue. They provide the security of a formal document that has been tailored to the specifics of the transaction, written and approved by an experienced lawyer.
For longer or more complex documents such as terms and conditions, shareholders’ agreements or data protection policies, bespoke written contracts are advisable over online legal templates. Terms and conditions are extensive documents that must take into account all the possible outcomes. If drafted well, they will fully protect the business’ interests and prevent any client or disgruntled employee from finding a loophole.
It is worth bearing in mind that it is the legal advice, not simply the documents, that you are paying for. A solicitor may be able to spot areas of weakness in your legal position that you had been unaware of, or key provisions that had not been included in a template document, and help you to resolve them.
When negotiating a contract with a third party, having legal counsel on your side will also ensure you are not exploited by the other party, and help you to negotiate a better position before you come to formalise the documents. The exact wording of a contract has important implications, so without a good understanding of the detail, you could see your interests compromised.
Advantages of bespoke written contracts
Whilst in the short term legal document templates may be a cheaper and easier solution, in the long run it pays to be well protected. Bespoke written contracts will put your business in a secure legal position. With fixed fee document drafting you can still find a price that you are comfortable with and know that you are investing in the future of your business.
The contents of this article do not constitute legal advice and are provided for general information purposes only.
The Legal Stop offers online legal documents and fixed fee legal services. We believe that legal services should be accessible and transparent, and we aim to provide relevant, practical solutions for businesses of all sizes.
Our range of services includes:
Expertise: Legal Services
The Legal Stop is a straightforward online business using information technology for the public good. We aim to make the law and provision of legal services accessible and transparent to people and businesses alike!