Why solicitors need bespoke business finance

Legal practices operate with a cashflow profile that differs from many other businesses. Work in progress (WIP) can remain tied up for months while costs and counsel fees must be paid upfront. Disbursements, expert reports and Professional Indemnity (PI) premiums create large lump-sum outflows. Seasonal peaks in conveyancing or litigation can also strain liquidity.

Using finance tailored to these realities helps firms avoid disruption to client services, maintain staff payroll, fund disbursements and manage growth. Specialist facilities can be structured to reflect recoverable client monies and signed retainers rather than traditional asset-based lending.

If your practice needs fast access to options designed for the legal sector, complete a short enquiry for tailored matches from our panel of specialist providers: Free Eligibility Check.

What Fast Business Loans does for UK legal practices

Fast Business Loans is an introducer. We do not provide loans or regulated advice. Instead, our service finds lenders and brokers experienced with law firm finance and matches them to the needs of LLPs, partnerships and incorporated practices seeking funding of £10,000 and up.

Our matching process considers practice size, turnover, areas of law, and the funding purpose so you’re introduced only to partners likely to be able to help. Sharing your brief is quick, and there’s no obligation to proceed once you receive offers.

Complete a 2‑minute enquiry to get non-binding quotes and expert guidance from lenders or brokers who understand legal practice cashflow: Request your no‑obligation quote today.

Funding scenarios we commonly support

Working capital for case‑heavy periods

When litigation or conveyancing pipelines delay receipts, a short-term working capital facility or invoice financing can bridge the gap. Lenders on our panel often provide WIP-backed facilities or flexible revolving lines to smooth peaks and troughs in fee income.

Covering disbursements and counsel fees

Many practices need to pay counsel, experts or court costs before recovery from clients. Specialist facilities can fund these disbursements while you retain the client relationship and recover fees in due course.

Professional Indemnity insurance premiums

Annual PI premiums can be a significant lump-sum cost. PI premium funding spreads that payment across manageable terms and preserves working capital for operations.

Practice expansion & technology upgrades

Whether opening a new office, buying case management software or investing in cyber security, asset and equipment finance lets practices spread capital costs while benefiting immediately from upgrades.

Mergers, acquisitions and partner buy‑ins

For merger scenarios or partner buy‑ins, staged funding and transaction finance can be arranged by brokers experienced in law firm restructures and due diligence requirements.

Need rapid access to specialist lenders? Get Quote Now.

Types of finance available to solicitors via our panel

We connect firms with providers offering a broad range of products. Typical options include:

• Invoice finance (factoring & discounting) to unlock cash tied in invoices or WIP
• Working capital loans and revolving credit facilities
• Bridging finance for short-term funding needs
• PI premium funding and insurance premium finance
• Asset & equipment finance for IT, furniture and office fit-outs
• Refinance and debt consolidation for better cashflow management
• VAT loans to cover VAT liabilities
• Revenue-based funding or tailored facilities for legal firms

Typical facility sizes on our panel range from around £10,000 to multi-million pound arrangements depending on lender appetite and firm circumstances. Terms and availability vary by provider and depend on individual lender assessment.

Compare options without affecting your credit score — Free Eligibility Check.

Eligibility snapshot & required information

While each lender sets its own criteria, common elements considered include practice structure (LLP, partnership, limited company), trading history, annual fee income, the quality of WIP and aged debtors, and directors’ or partners’ credit profiles.

Documents typically requested to speed up assessments:

• Management accounts (12–24 months) and year‑end accounts
• WIP schedule and aged debtor listings
• Details of any existing borrowings
• Recent bank statements and projections where available
• Professional indemnity policy details

We treat practice data confidentially and share it only with selected partners relevant to your enquiry. To fast‑track quotes, securely share your details via our short enquiry: Share your practice details securely.

What to expect after you apply

Step 1 – Complete a 2‑minute enquiry

Tell us the amount you need, the funding purpose and a few facts about your firm. This does not affect your credit score.

Step 2 – We match you with specialist brokers and lenders

We review your brief and introduce you to a small selection of partners best placed to help. Matches are based on sector knowledge and funding purpose.

Step 3 – Discuss offers without obligation

Brokers or lenders will contact you to clarify requirements and provide indicative terms. You remain under no obligation to accept any offer.

Step 4 – Choose and draw down

If you select an offer, the lender or broker will take you through full checks, documentation and the drawdown process. Timelines vary by product and provider, but many commercial facilities can be completed quickly once documentation is agreed.

Start your enquiry now — responses typically within hours: Start your enquiry.

Benefits of partnering with Fast Business Loans

• Sector expertise: We understand the legal sector and the funding structures lenders expect.
• Speed: Short enquiry and fast matching to reduce time wasted contacting unsuitable providers.
• Choice: Access multiple lenders/brokers to compare offers and terms.
• No obligation & free to use: Our service is free for practices — you only engage a lender or broker if you choose to proceed.
• Protect your credit score: Initial matching is soft and will not show on business credit files.

Connect with vetted finance professionals: Get Started.

Compliance & responsible borrowing

Fast Business Loans acts only as an introducer. We don’t provide regulated financial advice or make lending decisions. Lenders and brokers you speak with will provide full terms, costs and eligibility checks — consider those carefully and ensure any borrowing is affordable for your practice.

We encourage you to obtain independent legal or financial advice before entering into a finance agreement. Our service is free for firms; any fees charged by lenders or brokers will be disclosed to you directly by those providers.

Case snapshot (anonymised)

Problem: A mid‑sized litigation firm in London had £250k of WIP tied up awaiting settlements, while counsel fees and disbursements were due.

Solution: We introduced the firm to a specialist broker that arranged a WIP‑backed facility combined with a short‑term bridging line to cover counsel fees.

Outcome: The practice met immediate obligations, maintained staff levels and repaid the bridging element from client recoveries within two months. For similar tailored support, complete a short form to see who can help: Free Eligibility Check.

Frequently asked questions

Can solicitors use future fees or WIP as security?

Yes — some specialist lenders will consider WIP, signed retainer letters and predictable fee income when assessing applications. Acceptability depends on the lender’s criteria and the quality of your management information.

Will submitting an enquiry affect my credit score?

No. Completing our initial enquiry does not affect credit files. Lenders or brokers may carry out formal credit checks only if you proceed with an application and give consent.

What costs should I expect from lenders or brokers?

Costs vary by product: interest, arrangement fees, broker fees or setup charges are typical. Any fees charged by lenders or brokers will be disclosed to you directly before you commit.

What practice structures do you support?

We match LLPs, partnerships and limited companies operating as legal practices with lenders and brokers. Please note we work with firms that meet lenders’ minimums (facilities typically start at around £10,000).

How quickly can funds be released once approved?

Timescales depend on the product and provider. Once underwriting and documentation are complete, many facilities can be drawn within days, while more complex arrangements can take longer. Your matched broker or lender will confirm any timelines.

Ready to explore your options? Get Quote Now.

Ready to move forward?

Fast Business Loans helps UK legal practices find appropriate funding by matching you to specialist brokers and lenders who understand the sector. Our service is free and non‑obligatory — we only introduce you to providers who can help with your type of funding.

Complete a short enquiry now and receive a free eligibility check so that lenders or brokers can contact you with tailored options: Get Started – Free Eligibility Check.

More information and useful link

For a deeper look at the specialist funding types available to legal practices and examples of solutions, see our dedicated pillar page on solicitors business loans.