Manage Your Legal Case Like a Project

Stay in control with simple tools: timelines, logs, communication planning, risk spotting, and cost tracking. You don’t need legal training — just structure.

This page focuses on service quality and behaviour while your case is running. It links to tools and Core Guidance on warning signs, complaints and regulators.

Quick start (20 minutes)
  1. Write a one-page timeline of key dates.
  2. Start a Risk & Issue Log (date + what happened + impact).
  3. Save your latest estimate/bill and note where costs may change.
  4. Email one clear question asking for next steps and timescales (in writing).

0. What you can expect from your lawyer during the case

Once instructed, a regulated lawyer should:

  • act with honesty and integrity;
  • act in your best interests, not just their convenience;
  • provide a proper standard of service – competent, timely and properly supervised;
  • give clear information about costs and update you if costs change;
  • communicate in a way you can understand and confirm important advice in writing;
  • handle complaints properly if you raise concerns.

The tools on this page help you record whether these standards are being met and create evidence if you later need to complain.

For deeper background, see:

1. Start with the basics

Before anything gets complicated, make sure you understand the skeleton of your case.

Ask your lawyer for:

  • A simple timeline of the key steps
  • A written summary of their advice
  • A written cost estimate
  • A clear point of contact (who is doing the work?)
  • Likely risks and what might delay things

A good lawyer will provide these willingly. If not, consider this an early warning sign.

Tools that help: Timeline Tracker · Cost Monitoring Sheet · Written Advice template (on Tools page)

2. Early warning signs (things to watch)

Problems rarely arrive suddenly — there are usually clues.

  • Slow or inconsistent communication
  • Advice that keeps changing without explanation
  • Work done by junior staff without supervision
  • No updates unless you chase
  • Costs rising faster than expected
  • Missed or nearly missed deadlines
  • Poorly drafted documents with errors
  • No written advice even when you request it
  • Feeling fobbed off, dismissed, or not taken seriously

If you spot more than one of these, start keeping a Risk & Issue Log. These are exactly the kinds of patterns the Legal Ombudsman and regulators look at.

See also: Legal Services Act – Warning Signs & Code Breaches →

3. Stay in control with a simple toolkit

Prefer a menu view? Go to Tools & Templates →

4. Ask for advice in writing

You have a right to clear, written advice.

Written advice:

  • reduces misunderstandings
  • keeps the lawyer accountable
  • gives you something solid to rely on
  • helps spot contradictions later

Ask politely:
"Could you summarise that in writing so I’m sure I understand?"

Request for Written Advice Template →

If written advice later contradicts earlier emails or letters, keep both versions. That contradiction can be important evidence of poor service or a failure to advise properly.

5. Keeping records

Keep a simple folder on your computer with:

  • all emails (sent and received)
  • PDF copies of letters
  • your own notes from calls
  • copies of documents from your lawyer
  • screenshots from online portals
  • your cost log and timeline

These documents become essential if you need to make a complaint later.

See also: File Naming, Records & Time Tracking (Core Guidance) →

For help interpreting letters and responses: How to Read a Solicitor’s Letter → · Fake Apologies & Non-Answers →

6. Communication tips

Good communication keeps your case on track.

  • Be polite but firm
  • Ask for confirmations in writing
  • Keep emails short and factual
  • Use bullet points for clarity
  • Ask for next steps and timelines

Related Core Guidance: Communication Discipline · Tone & Behaviour

If communication breaks down, that’s a sign to start a structured complaint. See the Complaints guide →

7. If things start to go wrong

  1. Raise the issue informally
    "I’m concerned about [issue]. Could you explain what has happened and how this will be resolved?"
  2. Keep a paper trail
    Save emails and notes. Add entries to your Risk & Issue Log.
  3. Ask for clarification in writing
    Especially when advice keeps changing or timelines keep slipping.
  4. Make a formal complaint
    If the problem persists or impacts your case, use the firm’s internal complaints process.

Related Core Guidance: When Things Start to Go Wrong · Identifying Failures and Transgressions

Next: Complaints – step-by-step →

Deadline helper

Use this simple date calculator to work out a future date by adding a number of days to an important event (for example, when you received a final response letter).

This is a simple date calculator to help you plan. It does not give legal advice or guarantee any deadline. Always check the official time limits that apply to your situation.

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