Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom

Key definition

Pay as you go definition

What does Pay as you go mean? In structured finance and capital markets, pay as you go describes a cashflow mechanism under which the security trustee applies available funds to meet each creditor’s scheduled interest and principal as those amounts fall due, rather than distributing funds pari passu across all creditors or following acceleration. The term is a market usage, not a statutory or case-law concept; its effect depends on the trust deed, intercreditor agreement or programme documents, where it is often expressly defined. Common in structured investment vehicle (SIV) documentation and sometimes in note programmes, it operates through the payment waterfall to prioritise near-term...

Unbundled/PAYG Family Law and Limited Retainers: Risks, Case Law, Fees, Advocacy and SRA/Law Society Guidance (England and Wales)

Published by a LexisNexis Family expert

Practice notes

As Legal aid has been withdrawn from much of family law, and with tough economic conditions plus greater competition, more family practitioners may look to provide unbundled services. Overall, the expense of operating a practice, including overheads, has risen. Conversely, many clients seek to reduce their legal spend, whether out of need or because the wider Availability of legal information encourages some to handle parts of their matter themselves. As a result, some will deal with elements of their case in person, seeking targeted input only when necessary. Pay as you go, or unbundled advice and assistance (including advocacy), can help to close this gap.

What is it?

Essentially, unbundling involves providing specific, limited legal advice and support to a client who is acting in person. Each piece of work is delivered as a discrete, self-contained task focused precisely on what is needed at that stage.

A straightforward checking service.
One-off advice.
Advocacy in a case.
A more organised 'Pay As You Go' (PAYG) arrangement, where the client seeks the solicitor’s input at different stages during the proceedings and pays for each piece of advice as it is received, with every session treated as a discrete event...

To view the latest version of this document and thousands of others like it, sign-in with LexisNexis or register for a free trial.

Ursula Rice

Family First Solicitors Ltd

Ursula Rice is a solicitor and solicitor'advocate, practising in the field of family law. She is the owner and manager of Family First Solicitors Limited, a start- up firm specialising in family work. She was an early adopter of unbundled services, successfully marketing this innovative method of retaining and developing business since 2011. She has written and lectured on the business of family law for Resolution, SJ Live, the Law Society Gazette and various other publications and local radio. Ursula lectures for the University of West of England on the Legal Practice Course and takes a particular interest in the mentoring and development of young lawyers. Ursula is the press officer for the Oxfordshire regional branch of Resolution and the founder of the Family Duty Clinic, an Oxford Court based Law Works Pro Bono clinic and winner of the inaugural national Pro Bono Centre award...

Web page updated on 22/05/2026

Popular documents

Using the Judicial College Guidelines to assess general damages in personal injury claims

When evaluating a general damages claim, the practitioner ought initially to refer to the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG)...

Tomlin orders in England and Wales: CPR guidance on drafting, confidentiality, approval, variation, enforcement, limitation, CCA issues, court-specific requirements, sample wording and precedents

This Practice Note This Practice Note reviews mechanisms used in settling litigation. A Tomlin order consists of a consent order paired with a schedule. It operates to stay proceedings on terms that have been agreed. The provisions contained in the schedule may remain confidential. This Practice Note describes the scope of confidentiality attaching to the schedule and sets out how it differs from a standard consent order. Sample wording for a Tomlin order is included, alongside links to precedents, as well as guidance on court approval. It also addresses varying, setting aside and enforcing a Tomlin order, including the considerations the court will take into account when handling applications for each. Further guidance is provided on interpreting and applying the relevant provisions of the CPR; however, some courts and divisions impose very specific requirements for both drafting and approval, and for approaching the schedule and confidentiality issues. Accordingly, you must consider the particular rules and court guide provisions in the forum where your claim is proceeding when drawing up the Tomlin order...

Precedent: Deed of Surrender of Lease with Optional Premium, Settlement and Release, Landlord, Mortgagee and Guarantor Consents, Reimbursement and HM Land Registry Provisions (England and Wales)

Date [ date ] Parties [ name of Landlord ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Landlord) [ name of Tenant ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Tenant) [ [ name of Guarantor ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Guarantor) ] [ [ name of Mortgagee ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Mortgagee) ] Definitions Within this Deed, the terms below shall be interpreted as follows: [ Annual Rent • the annual sum reserved under the Lease; ] [ Insurance Rent • the Tenant’s share of the Landlord’s costs of insuring the Property (as set out in the Lease); ] Lease • the lease of the Property dated [ date ], entered into between (1) [ the Landlord OR [ name ...

Precedent Statutory Declaration: Standard Wording under the Statutory Declarations Act 1835

I, [ name ], of [ address ], solemnly and sincerely state that: [ Matters to be verified, set out in numbered paragraphs ] I make this solemn statement in good conscience, believing it to be true, and pursuant to the provisions of the Statutory Declarations Act 1835. DECLARED at [ details ] this [ day ] day of [ month and year ] Before me ................................................................................ [ signature of the person before whom the declaration is made ] A [ commissioner for oaths OR [ solicitor OR [ insert other qualification ] ] authorised to administer oaths ]...