Letter of Advice

Overview and Rules

In the Letter of Advice Competition, you are required to write a letter, with a 1000 word limit (±20%), advising your client on a hypothetical problem. The ability to write letters of advice to clients is one of the most important skills a solicitor possesses. A solicitor will usually produce a letter of advice when a client requests assistance as to their legal position.

The letter should be presented in a letter format and be addressed to the client. It should state the basic facts of the case and the instructions given by the client. It should then proceed to explain the relevant law and apply that law to the given facts. The letter should conclude by making suggestions to the client based on their instructions. For example, if you are asked to give a basic understanding of the law in a particular area, you should give them only a basic understanding and not a full-blown case-by-case examination.