Dispute Assessment & Action Plan
Identify what is preventing progress, what the evidence supports and whether to act now, obtain information or pause. Stage 01 gives you a practical assessment and recommended route before you commit to further work.
Scope of your assessment
The review addresses one principal issue, subject to suitability and conflict checks. It includes brief clarification of the Action Plan; additional document review, correspondence and negotiation are agreed separately. Court proceedings and representation are not included.
Mention any deadline or immediate asset risk. Seek prompt appropriate advice where urgent action is needed rather than waiting for the assessment.
Choosing your documents
Select up to 40 core pages relevant to the issue, excluding duplicates and unfiltered email archives. A page means one side of A4. If you are unsure what to include, send a brief description first.
What your Action Plan covers
Your Action Plan covers:
- Principal blockage: the main issue preventing progress, based on the selected documents and your instructions.
- Evidence and gaps: the supporting material, missing information and uncertainties that could change the advice.
- Recommended approach: whether to act now, obtain information or pause, with reasons, material risks and urgent steps identified.
- Pathway and costs: the recommended route and alternatives, who should act, the review point and your proposed financial commitment. Identifiable holding costs are considered where records permit.
The written Action Plan is normally delivered within three working days after the consultation and receipt of all required documents, whichever is later.
How we assess your dispute: the six pillars
Independent review of your proposed approach
You may already have researched your position or decided what you think should happen next. The assessment can test that approach against the relevant documents, identify weaknesses or risks, and explain whether a different course would be more appropriate.
The framework in Justin’s book, The Out-of-Court Executor, helps identify the immediate blockage and a proportionate way forward:
- Evidence: what the selected documents support and what is missing.
- Procedural position: the Grant, existing proceedings and relevant deadlines.
- Rights and powers: who can make the decision and whose agreement is required.
- Economics: the costs of delay and intervention, using available figures.
- Behaviour and communication: the concerns expressed, previous proposals and responses that may inform negotiation.
- Resolution options: the appropriate next step, such as an information request, focused proposal, negotiation or ADR preparation.
Your plan focuses on the findings material to your next decision. Observations about negotiation are grounded in the available correspondence and conduct.
Further help after your assessment
Where suitable, Justin can help with a focused solicitor’s letter, negotiation or mediation preparation. If the necessary information is already clear, a defined intervention may be quoted without a separate assessment.
Before further work begins, we agree an overall fixed fee where the work can be defined, or a fixed next-stage fee with an explained overall budget. Your proposal identifies included work, follow-up allowances, external costs and the anticipated total including VAT. How further work is priced →
Questions about costs after Stage 01
Do I have to instruct further work?
No. Stage 01 is a standalone paid assessment. You can use the written Action Plan yourself or with another adviser, without instructing Human Law further. Any further stage or package requires your agreement to its scope and price.
Will I pay twice for work already done in Stage 01?
Stage 01 is a standalone service, and its fee is not deducted from later fees. Subsequent quotations take account of the assessment already completed, so the same assessment is not charged again.
How procedural options are assessed
Steps depend on the Grant position, entitlement and the evidence. For example, an inactive executor may call for assessment of citation options under NCPR Rule 47, with the general machinery in Rule 46. This is an option for solicitor review, not an automatic next step.
NCPR mapping: Rule 41 — amendment/revocation of grant; Rule 44 — caveats; Rule 46 — general citation machinery; Rule 47 — citations to accept/refuse or take a grant; Rule 48 — citations to propound a will; Rule 50 — examination or subpoena to bring in a will. Official rules.
What clients say about Human Law
“Very efficient and caring people at Human Law.”
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Request Your Stage 01 Review
Tell Justin briefly what is holding matters up and mention any deadline. We will explain how we can help, the proposed work and fixed fee before you decide. You can also email advice@human-law.co.uk.
Assessment: £480 including VAT, subject to suitability and conflict checks. Further work requires your approval of its scope and fee. Mention any deadline in your enquiry.
Want to start with free guidance? Use the Problem Finder.