LPC/SQE2 skills: How to write a letter of advice to a client
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Published: 22 Sep 2025
Need a polished legal opinion or client letter for your LPC/SQE2 or similar? Get reliable help from a UK-qualified lawyer. See our law assignment help page for more info.
A legal opinion letter (often called a letter of advice) is a formal letter from a solicitor to a client. It provides the solicitor’s professional assessment of the client’s legal issue and offers guidance on the appropriate course of action.
Unlike advice exchanged between lawyers, this letter is written directly for the client’s benefit. It must therefore be clear, accessible, and tailored to the client’s needs and understanding.
The purpose of an opinion letter is to help the client make informed decisions. It does this by explaining the relevant law, analysing how that law applies to the client’s situation, and outlining the available options and likely outcomes. It also serves as a written record of the advice given.
In the UK, solicitors are professionally obligated to communicate advice clearly. The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) Code of Conduct, for example, requires that you:
“…give clients information in a way they can understand. You ensure they are in a position to make informed decisions about the services they need, how their matter will be handled and the options available to them.” (Rule 8.6, SRA Code of Conduct)
Solicitors must ensure clients are in a position to make informed choices about how to proceed. Therefore for the LPC, SQE2 and similar courses, you’ll need to write client letters that are clear, precise and practical.
Structure and format of the opinion letter
An opinion letter should follow a standard business letter format and a logical structure that guides the client through the advice.
Begin with your firm’s letterhead or your contact details at the top, followed by the date. Then add the client’s name and address. It is good practice to include a reference number or file reference (if your firm uses one) to identify the matter. (Many law firms have a house style for references – for example, a client/file reference plus the fee-earner’s initials e.g. “Our ref: CW179/JWC” or “JWC/AB/00179”. Historically the typist’s initials would also be added but this is less common now).
Next, add a clear subject line (preceded by “Re:”) stating the matter or question at hand. For example, “Re: Advice on settlement of personal injury claim” is a concise heading that helps the client immediately understand what the letter addresses. (Some law firms no longer use the Re: – again this is down to their house style).
After the addresses and heading, open the letter with a proper salutation. If you know the client’s name, use “Dear [Name],” and end the letter with “Yours sincerely.” If the recipient is unidentified, use “Dear Sir or Madam,” and close with “Yours faithfully”. Ensure that you use the correct title (Mr, Ms, Dr, etc.) as appropriate for the client, showing attention to courtesy and detail.
Use short, informative subheadings within the body of the letter to signpost each section of your advice. Effective headings greatly improve communication by allowing the client to navigate the document easily (lawsociety.org.uk).
For example, you might have subheadings for “Background facts”, “Legal issues”, “Analysis”, “Options for resolution”, and “Recommendations.” Breaking the letter into sections with clear headings is especially helpful if the matter is complex. It shows respect for the reader’s time and helps ensure they can follow the reasoning without getting lost.
Finally, close the letter with a formal sign-off and your signature. Commonly, you would write “Yours sincerely,” followed by your name and position (for example, Trainee Solicitor). This formal closing confirms the letter’s authenticity. If any enclosures are included (such as copies of documents or terms of business), note them underneath the signature line (e.g. “Encl: [document name]”).
Opening the letter: purpose and client’s query
In the first paragraph, state the purpose of the letter and the question you are addressing. This introductory sentence should briefly confirm what the client has asked for advice about and reassure them that the letter will address their concerns. For example, you might begin the letter as follows:
“You have asked us to advise whether you can bring a claim against X for breach of contract. This letter sets out my advice on your chances of success and the options available to you.”
Clearly identifying the client’s issue and the letter’s objective at the outset helps frame the discussion and sets the reader’s expectations.
After this introduction, it is advisable to summarise the relevant facts as you understand them from the client. Lay out the background information provided by the client, ideally in a brief, factual narrative. Confirming the key facts and chronology serves two important purposes. First, it shows the client that you have understood their situation. Second, it gives them an opportunity to correct any details if you have misunderstood something.
For instance, recount the date and nature of the incident or transaction in question and identify the parties involved. Include any key events that have led up to the current issue. Writing “From the information you have given us, the situation is as follows:” and then listing the facts in prose can be an effective approach.
This factual summary should be concise and stated in neutral terms, without yet providing any opinion. You are demonstrating that you have captured the essentials of the client’s story in an organised manner. Ensuring the facts are agreed upon is crucial, because any advice will be based on those facts.
Explaining the legal issues and applicable law
After summarising the facts, identify the legal issues or questions that arise from the situation. It is often helpful to phrase the issues explicitly, perhaps as questions the client needs answered. For example, you might list the key issues for the client. You could write:
“The key issues are (1) whether you can bring a claim for breach of contract against X, and (2) what remedies you could obtain if successful.”
Clearly delineating the issues focuses the discussion and reassures the client that each concern will be addressed. Take special care here not to use legalese – for example, swap terms like ’cause of action’ for plain English terms like ‘bring a claim’.
Next, explain the law that applies to each issue in a way the client can readily understand. This portion of the letter is essentially the legal analysis, but remember that your audience is the client, not a judge or another lawyer.
Avoid legal jargon as much as possible, and do not overwhelm the client with case citations or statutory quotations unless they are absolutely crucial to your advice. Clients generally trust that you know the law. You do not need to “prove” your expertise by peppering the letter with Latin phrases or lengthy case extracts.
Instead, describe the relevant legal principles in plain English and relate them to the client’s situation. For instance, you might explain that under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, services must be carried out with reasonable care and skill. If a trader fails to meet this standard, the law deems it a breach of contract and the customer may be entitled to remedies.
Keep explanations brief and practical, and for most clients, skip case names (the exception might be a particularly “sophisticated client” who had some knowledge of the law). The letter should not stray into academic discussion of the law in the abstract.
Never copy and paste long sections of legislation or judgments into a client letter. Instead, distill their effect in a way that the client can easily understand.
Throughout your legal explanation, define any legal terminology that might be unfamiliar. For example, if you must use the term “default judgment,” you might add that it means a judgment obtained when the other side fails to respond. By the end of this section, the client should understand the legal framework relevant to their problem.
Importantly, be candid about any uncertainties or contrary views in the law. If the legal issue is not clear-cut, explain the different possible interpretations or the criteria that a court would use to decide.
Addressing grey areas demonstrates thoroughness and honesty. A solicitor must not mislead the client by oversimplifying or concealing weaknesses (SRA Code of Conduct, para 1.4). You therefore have an ethical duty to be forthright about the strengths and limitations of the case. Providing balanced analysis – including discussion of any risks, counterarguments, or potential problems – will enable the client to realistically appreciate their position.
Giving advice, options and recommendations
After laying out the law and your analysis, the letter should converge on practical advice. This part of the letter answers the question: “Given the legal situation, what should the client do now?”
Based on your legal analysis, present the options available to the client and give your recommendation. It is often effective to enumerate the options, especially if there are distinct paths the client could take.
For example, the letter might say: “In light of the above, you have a few options.” Then it could list options such as:
(1) attempt to negotiate a settlement with X out of court;
(2) initiate formal legal proceedings; or
(3) do nothing for now and see if the situation resolves.
Present each option objectively, explaining the potential benefits and drawbacks of each course of action, including practical benefits/drawbacks (as an example, the potential impact of legal proceedings on their relationship with the opposing party, who might be a neighbour, employer or business partner). This approach ensures the client understands their choices and the consequences associated with each, which is essential for informed decision-making.
For instance, if one option is litigation, you should mention the estimated timeframe and the potential legal costs if they lose. If another option is mediation or settlement, explain what that process would entail. Note that it could lead to a quicker (if perhaps lower) payout than going to trial.
While you outline options, you should also make a clear professional recommendation (unless the client has expressly asked for a completely neutral overview). Typically, the client is looking to you for guidance, so indicate which option you consider most advisable and explain why.
For example, you might write: “On balance, I recommend pursuing option (2) – issuing a claim – because … .” Framing your advice in this way provides direction while still leaving the final decision with the client.
Make sure your advice is grounded in the earlier analysis. For instance, you might add a reason: “… because the law is on your side regarding liability, a court claim has a reasonable prospect of success, and this may also encourage a favourable settlement.”
It is also critical never to promise a guaranteed outcome. However confident you feel about the case, always communicate advice in terms of likelihoods and risks, not certainties. A letter of advice should never guarantee a particular result, since all litigation and negotiations carry some inherent uncertainty.
In short, manage the client’s expectations: be optimistic when warranted, but also clearly state any contingencies. You might also add a caveat. You could write: “This advice is based on the facts currently known, and it could change if new evidence comes to light.”
Another crucial aspect of practical advice is to outline the next steps. The client should finish reading the letter knowing exactly what can be done and what you propose to do (or not do) going forward.
For example, if you recommend sending a letter before action to the opposing party, say so and offer to draft it. If the decision is now in the client’s hands, explicitly invite them to consider the options and let you know how they wish to proceed. You might write something like: “Please consider these options and let me know which you would like to pursue. I would be pleased to discuss the matter further with you, if you have any questions.”
If further information is needed from the client or a third party before a final decision can be made, highlight that as well. It is not uncommon to require additional documents or answers to specific questions. If you need more information, make it clear what you need and why.
For instance, you might say: “Before issuing a claim, I would need the medical report confirming your injury. Obtaining that report is the next step.” Being specific about such next steps not only gives advice but also guides the client on how to act on that advice.
Style and tone: clarity, empathy and professionalism
Throughout the opinion letter, the writing style must prioritise clarity and reader-friendliness. Use plain English and an appropriately professional tone, avoiding overly formal or archaic language.
Experienced lawyers caution that words like “whilst”, “monies” and “insofar” – often found in traditional legal writing – are not everyday words and can alienate or confuse clients.
Writing in the client’s language does not mean being overly casual; rather, it means explaining legal concepts in normal, straightforward terms. Aim for a tone that is respectful and informative. The client should feel that you are addressing them directly and personally, not delivering a one-size-fits-all lecture.
For example, use “you can” instead of an impersonal phrase like “the client can”. Also, write in the active voice – say “we will file the claim” instead of “the claim will be filed”. This approach keeps the prose engaging and clear. Using active voice and a first- or second-person perspective (where appropriate) makes the letter sound more human. It avoids the distanced, abstract tone that can arise from too much passive legalese.
Crucially, always keep the specific client’s background and needs in mind when choosing your language. If your client has no legal training, take care to define legal terms and avoid unexplained abbreviations or references. On the other hand, if the client is a businessperson or in-house counsel (“a sophisticated client”), you may adopt a more technical tone without being condescending.
In all cases, do not assume knowledge that the client does not have. You may need to provide more context or explanation for a lay client, while being more succinct with a legally experienced client. Striking the right tone shows respect for the client. You want to inform them, but never patronise them.
Additionally, maintain a polite and professional register throughout. Even if the subject matter is contentious, the letter itself should remain courteous and composed, as it reflects on your professionalism.
Another element of good style is logical flow and the use of transitions. Guide the client through the narrative by using transition words and phrases (such as “however”, “furthermore”, “for example”, “in contrast”) to show the relationship between ideas. This technique makes the text cohesive and easier to follow.
Short paragraphs and short sentences will also help prevent the client from feeling overwhelmed by information. In fact, experts often recommend keeping sentences under about 20 words for clarity.
A letter of advice should be as long as necessary to answer the client’s questions, and no longer. Excessive verbosity can confuse the client and may even suggest inefficiency (Georgetown Law, 2024). Many clients will read the letter only once (and perhaps quickly), so make sure the key points stand out on a first reading.
For instance, you can use clear headings, bullet-point lists, or bold text for important points. Bullet points or numbered lists are very effective when you need to break down complex information or present multiple items in a digestible format. That said, use lists judiciously to enhance clarity, and ensure the letter still reads as a coherent whole.
Finally, ensure the letter is meticulously proofread. An opinion letter is a professional document, and errors in grammar or spelling can undermine the client’s confidence. Check that names, dates, and figures are correct. Confirm that you have answered all the client’s questions. (The client will notice if any query is left unaddressed.) A quick self-audit can be useful. For example, you might verify the following:
- Does the letter cover everything the client asked?
- Is the advice accurate and complete?
- Have I removed any irrelevant information?
- Is the tone professional and is the language as simple as possible without losing precision?
It may also help to have a fellow student/trainee review the letter, as a fresh eye might catch unclear passages or mistakes you missed. Remember that the client may keep this letter for future reference or even show it to others. It should therefore reflect well on your competence and care.
Honesty and ethical considerations
Providing frank and honest advice is not just good practice but also a professional obligation. Sometimes the advice you must give is not what the client wants to hear. For example, you may have to advise that their case is weak or that proceeding would cost more than it is worth.
It is important to deliver such messages tactfully yet truthfully. Do not shy away from giving bad news. As the adviser, you are not doing the client any favours by sugar-coating reality or creating false hope.
Instead, present unwelcome facts or opinions with empathy and clear reasoning. For example, you might write: “I understand this is disappointing, but my duty is to ensure you are aware that if the evidence is not obtained, the likelihood of success is low.”
The tone should remain supportive. The client should feel that, while the news is unfortunate, you are still on their side and looking out for their best interests. This “bedside manner” of delivering hard truths kindly is something lawyers develop with experience. It is also part of acting with integrity.
The SRA Principles require solicitors to act honestly and to act in each client’s best interests. Sometimes, acting in a client’s best interests means advising them not to pursue a hopeless claim or to accept a reasonable settlement. Always keep in mind that your role is to give the client your candid professional assessment, not just to tell them what they wish to hear.
Furthermore, maintain confidentiality and professionalism in your writing. Do not include any sensitive information that is not necessary, and be mindful of the tone and content in case the letter is later seen by others. A well-written opinion letter can instil confidence in the client that you have thoroughly considered their matter. It can also set the tone for the client’s relationship with you and your firm going forward.
Therefore, even as a trainee, approach the task with the same diligence and formality you would use if writing on behalf of a senior partner. Double-check that the letter complies with any internal firm guidelines and any relevant SRA requirements. (For instance, if this is the first substantive communication to the client, certain regulatory information or terms of business might need to be included.)
Those formalities are often handled in separate client care documents, but it’s worth ensuring your letter of advice dovetails properly with any client care letter or fee agreement that has been sent.
Wrapping up:
Writing a high-quality legal opinion letter is a skill that combines legal analysis with clear communication. By following a structured approach, you can produce a letter that is both informative and digestible for the client. This approach involves introducing the purpose, confirming the facts, explaining the law, and then giving focused advice. Always keep the client’s perspective at the forefront. The ultimate test of an opinion letter is whether the client can understand it fully and use your advice to make an informed decision.
A good letter of advice is succinct but comprehensive, well-structured and professionally laid out. It directly addresses the client’s objectives and questions, and it demonstrates a good understanding of the relevant facts and law. With practice and careful attention to language and tone, trainee solicitors can master opinion-letter writing. This skill is an essential tool for effective client service.
Before sending the letter, take the time to review and refine it. Just as you would revise an academic paper or a formal report, ensure the letter reads smoothly and professionally. The end result should be a letter that provides sound legal advice and also reinforces the client’s confidence in you as their adviser. Achieving this level of clarity and quality in written advice will serve you well throughout your legal career.
Need a polished legal opinion or client letter for your LPC/SQE2 or similar? Get reliable help from a UK-qualified lawyer. See our law assignment help page for more info.
References and further reading:
- Solicitors Regulation Authority (2019) SRA Code of Conduct for Solicitors, RELs, RFLs and RSLs. [Online]. Available at: https://www.sra.org.uk/solicitors/standards-regulations/code-conduct-solicitors/ (Accessed 20 September 2025).
- Law Society (2024) “Five writing habits every lawyer needs.” Law Society Blog. 1 March 2024. [Online]. Available at: https://www.lawsociety.org.uk/topics/blogs/5-writing-habits-every-lawyer-needs (Accessed 20 September 2025).
- University of the South Pacific (2022) “LW304 Legal Writing Lecture – Letters of Advice.” LW304 Communication Skills for Lawyers Lecture Slides. [Online]. Available at: https://www.scribd.com/presentation/668975431/lw304-week-4-lecture-1-2-1-2 (Accessed 20 September 2025).
- Georgetown University Law Center (2024) How to Write a Client Advice Letter. Writing Center Resources. [Online]. Available at: https://www.law.georgetown.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/How-to-Write-a-Client-Advice-Letter-2024.pdf (Accessed 20 September 2025).
- LawTeacher (2018) “LPC Legal Drafting – Free LPC Letter Drafting Sample.” LawTeacher.net. [Online]. Available at: https://www.lawteacher.net/law-help/lpc/lpc-letter-drafting-sample.php (Accessed 20 September 2025).
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