Reserved vs Non-Reserved Legal Service
At-a-Glance: Market & Pricing
Non-Reserved Legal Services
- Broader insurer appetite.
- Streamlined underwriting.
- Indicative premiums start around £600 + IPT for £1 million limit (non-reserved work)
Reserved Legal Services
- Limited market capacity.
- More detailed scrutiny & higher excesses common.
- Indicative premiums start at around £2,000 ± £250 + IPT for a £500k limit (reserved and non-reserved work)
Important Notice:
Example premiums shown are illustrative only and based on low-risk profiles with adequate experience in relevant practice areas. Actual premiums will vary according to factors such as turnover, services offered, experience, claims history and insurer appetite at the time of quotation.Cover is always subject to formal underwriting and acceptance by insurers, and this page should not be interpreted as a recommendation or offer to insure.
Why the Difference?
Reserved activities (e.g. conduct of litigation, reserved instrument activities, probate, etc.) carry higher claim severity and regulatory risk. Fewer insurers offer terms, which drives price and tighter wordings. Non-reserved work typically attracts wider appetite and more competitive premiums.
Underwriters Will Look For
- Exact service list — what you will (and will not) do in year one.
- Evidence of competence — CV and experience aligned to each service.
- Sound controls — client vetting, file management, record-keeping.
- Realistic turnover with brief plan for client acquisition/marketing.
Presenting Your Enquiry (to get faster, sharper terms)
- Complete our proposal form fully (no blanks).
- Attach your CV and a short business plan covering services, clients and projected fees.
- Declare all services you intend to offer; tell us before adding new ones so we can update cover.