Access to justice: free, plain-English legal guidance for everyone
BriefBase is free. And free it stays. Plain English guidance. Trusted next steps. A clear brief if you need one. No barriers. No jargon. No charge.
Most people don't know where to start.
They don't know if what happened is a legal matter. They don't know who to ask. They can't afford a solicitor just to find out if they have a case. And when they do try to explain, they don't have the words.
Struggle to explain a legal issue clearly
64%
Handle a legal problem entirely on their own
38%
Say legal jargon is the biggest barrier
57%
Have had to repeat their story before anyone could help
21%
BriefBase exists for those people.
We guide. We don't advise.
BriefBase asks the right questions in plain English. Not a form. Not a checklist. A conversation that helps you understand what happened, what your options might be, and where to go next.
We point you to trusted organisations that fit your situation. If you still want to speak to a solicitor, we help you produce a brief they can read in minutes.
The guidance is free. The brief is free. Your information is yours.
Step 01
Tell us what happened
Your words. No legal language needed. Share what happened, when, and who was involved.
Step 02
We help you understand your options
Plain English. Trusted next steps. We point you to the organisations already doing this work, free of charge.
Step 03
Your brief is ready if you need one
Clear, structured, solicitor-ready. A document you can keep private, send, or take to a local firm.
Trusted organisations, already doing this work.
BriefBase points to verified UK organisations only. We never suggest resources that aren't on this list.
- Citizens AdviceFree, impartial advice across almost every legal and consumer topic.
- Legal ChoicesPlain English explanation of the types of legal help available in the UK.
- Law Society Find a SolicitorThe official directory of qualified solicitors in England and Wales.
- AdviceNowPlain English self-help legal guides across a wide range of topics.
- GOV.UK Legal AidCheck whether you may be eligible for legal aid before paying for a solicitor.
- GOV.UK DivorceApply for a divorce, dissolution, or separation in England and Wales.
- CafcassChildren's welfare in family court proceedings.
- ResolutionFind accredited family solicitors and mediators.
- RelateRelationship support and mediation.
- Child Maintenance ServiceArrange or review child maintenance payments through the government scheme.
- Women's AidSupport, refuge, and information for women experiencing domestic abuse.
- RefugeRuns the 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline (0808 2000 247).
- Men's Advice LineConfidential helpline for men experiencing domestic abuse.
- Citizens Advice Domestic AbusePractical legal and safety guidance for anyone affected by domestic abuse.
- Equality Advisory Support ServiceFree advice on discrimination and human rights issues across Great Britain.
- Equality and Human Rights CommissionStatutory body overseeing equality and human rights law in Britain.
- Citizens Advice DiscriminationPlain English guidance on discrimination law and what to do next.
- Refugee CouncilAdvice and support for refugees and people seeking asylum.
- Migrant HelpIndependent advice for asylum seekers and victims of modern slavery.
- Right to Remain ToolkitStep-by-step guide to the UK asylum and immigration system.
- JCWIJoint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants. Legal advice and policy work.
Built for the people who don't know where to start.
BriefBase has a commercial side. Law firms build their own version, customised for their clients. That's what keeps us going.
The public product is different. Access to legal clarity shouldn't depend on what you can afford.
We built BriefBase for the people who don't know where to start. That part stays free.
