Legal advice or Legal Information: What's the difference ?

Hi, I'm Michael Thompson, founder of Falsely Accused Network. I wanted to write a clear explanation about the difference between legal advice and legal information, as it's something that often confuses people seeking help with family matters.

Legal information is straightforward factual knowledge about the law that anyone can share. Think of it like explaining that parents have 'parental responsibility' under the Children Act 1989, or that there's a 26-week timeline target for care proceedings in the Family Court. It's also sharing information about how courts work, like explaining what a Child Arrangements Order is, or what documents you need to file for a divorce application.

Legal advice is quite different - it's when a qualified legal professional looks at your specific situation and tells you what you should do. For example, if a father came to a solicitor saying his ex-partner was threatening to move abroad with their child, the solicitor would examine his particular circumstances, evaluate his options under child abduction laws, and recommend specific steps he should take. That's legal advice.

The distinction matters because while anyone can provide legal information, only qualified legal professionals can give legal advice. This is why support groups like ours must be careful to stick to sharing general information rather than telling people what they should do in their specific case.

At Falsely Accused Network, we can explain what happens in child arrangement order proceedings or share information about how to find court forms. But we can't advise someone whether they should appeal a specific court order or tell them how to respond to particular allegations. That's when they need to consult a qualified family law professional.

Understanding this difference helps protect both those seeking help and those providing support within the family justice system.

If you've been falsely accused of domestic abuse then visit www.falselyaccusednetwork.co.uk or email support@falselyaccusednetwork.co.uk to arrange a free and confidential call.

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