What is Independent Legal Advice or ILA?

Independent Legal Advice or ILA is literally what it's called - it’s legal advice given by an independent lawyer. For example, if you are purchasing a home, your mortgage lender may require that you receive independent legal advice to understand all the legal and financial responsibilities you are undertaking by signing the contract. In this situation, you will approach an independent lawyer to seek truly impartial/independent legal advice from them.

The role of a lawyer in providing independent legal advice is to ensure that the client fully appreciates the nature, effect, and consequences of the decision to be made. Therefore, as part of this process, the lawyer reviews the documents with the client and provides advice that is objective and unbiased. The lawyer will also screen the client to make sure they have the capacity to understand the document, and that they have not been pressured or coerced into signing the document.

Before you sign an agreement, contact us to ensure that you understand its short-term and long-term implications.