Do you have a claim? Talk it through with Scout.

Do you have a claim? Get clear, plain-English help.

Plenty of people get let down by a builder, a landlord, a dealer or a client who won't pay, and never find out whether the law was actually on their side. Scout is a free first step: tell it what happened in plain English and it will help you work out whether you have a claim worth pursuing, before you ever pay for or speak to a solicitor. It gives general guidance, not formal legal advice, so you can understand where you stand without any pressure. If your matter looks worth taking further, we can introduce you to a vetted solicitor, who will discuss their own fees with you.

Things people ask Scout

• A client hasn't paid my invoice
• The other side broke our contract
• I want to challenge a CCJ against me
• My business partner has frozen me out
• A builder did shoddy work and won't fix it
• A leak from the flat upstairs flooded mine
• My home insurance claim was rejected
• I bought a used car that turned out faulty
• A shop won't refund my faulty goods
• My landlord won't return my deposit
• There's damp and mould my landlord ignores
• I've been served a Section 21 eviction notice
• My neighbour has built over the boundary

Common questions about Scout and your claim

How do I know if I have a legal claim?

Broadly, you may have a claim if someone owed you a duty (through a contract, a law, or basic standards), they fell short of it, and you lost out as a result, whether in money, time or property. It's rarely clear-cut, which is exactly what Scout helps you weigh up: describe what happened and it will give you a plain-English read on whether it looks worth pursuing.

Is it worth taking legal action?

It depends on what's at stake, how strong the facts are, and whether the other side can actually pay. Small matters are often better resolved through a letter, an ombudsman, or the small claims process; larger or more serious ones can justify a solicitor. Scout helps you judge which side of that line you're on, and points you to a better route if a solicitor isn't worth it.

How much does it cost to check with Scout?

Nothing. Scout is free to use, and there's no obligation to take things further. If your matter looks worth pursuing, we can introduce you to a vetted UK solicitor at no charge to you: our partner firms pay us, never you. The solicitor is a separate step. They will discuss their own fees with you directly, and many handle suitable cases on a no win, no fee basis.

Where can I get free legal advice in the UK?

Scout is a free first step for understanding whether you have a claim. For free general help you can also try Citizens Advice, the relevant ombudsman for your sector, or Trading Standards for consumer issues. For advice on your specific case you'll usually need a solicitor. Scout can match you with a vetted UK firm, and many handle suitable cases on a no win, no fee basis.

What kinds of problems can Scout help with?

Everyday civil matters in England and Wales: a builder who took a deposit and vanished or did shoddy work, a faulty used car a dealer won't refund, an unpaid invoice, a deposit a landlord won't return, damp and disrepair, a rejected insurance claim, a contract the other side broke, a boundary dispute, and similar. If it's outside that, Scout will tell you and point you somewhere better.

Is Scout legal advice?

No. Scout gives general guidance to help you understand your situation. It is not a solicitor and does not give formal legal advice on your specific case. For that, it can match you with a regulated UK solicitor who handles your kind of matter.

How long do I have to make a claim?

Time limits vary by the type of claim. Many civil claims in England and Wales must be started within six years, but some are much shorter, so acting sooner is always safer. Scout can flag if your matter looks like it may be time-sensitive, but only a solicitor can confirm the exact deadline for your case.

What happens after I talk to Scout?

If your matter looks worth pursuing and you'd like to take it further, you share a few details, our team reviews them, and we usually call within 24 hours to confirm everything and match you with a suitable vetted solicitor. There's no obligation to proceed.

Scout gives general guidance, not formal legal advice, and can get things wrong. Prefer to speak to a vetted legal professional?