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You will often see the phrase “this is not legal advice” on websites, tools, and information services, including Portia. It is easy to skim past, but it points to a real and important distinction. Understanding it helps you know what kind of help you are getting, and what you still need to do yourself.

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Information versus advice

Legal information is general: it explains how the law and the court process work. Saying what a witness statement is, how a claim is issued, or what a pre-action protocol expects, is information. It is true for everyone in that situation. Legal advice is specific: it tells a particular person what they should do in their own situation. Saying “your case is strong”, “you should sue”, “you will probably win”, or “you should settle for this amount” is advice. It applies the law to your facts and recommends a course of action. The line matters because advice carries responsibility. A regulated professional who advises you is accountable for that advice. General information does not, and cannot, do that job for you.

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Why the distinction is protective

When something says it does not give legal advice, it is being honest about its limits, and that honesty protects you. A tool or an article can help you understand the process and organise your material. It cannot know everything about your situation, cannot judge the strength of your case, and cannot take responsibility for a decision that is yours to make. Treating general information as if it were tailored advice is a genuine risk: it can lead you to rely on something that was never meant to bear that weight.

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What this means in practice

If you are handling a dispute yourself, information can take you a long way: understanding the stages, preparing your documents, organising your evidence. But for a judgement about your specific case, whether you have a claim, how strong it is, what you should do, that is what a solicitor or barrister is for. Knowing the difference lets you use each kind of help for what it is good at.
Portia is a document-organisation tool for people handling civil disputes in England and Wales. It is not a law firm and does not give legal advice. Learn what Portia does.