Why we sometimes can’t help: understanding conflict of interest
We understand how upsetting and frustrating it can be to seek legal help, only to be told we can’t act for you. Please know this decision is never personal. It’s rooted in our duty to follow strict legal and ethical rules designed to protect everyone involved.
What does a conflict of interest actually mean?
A conflict of interest happens when a solicitor’s duty to one client would clash with their duty to another. If we’ve already advised someone in a case that involves you—even indirectly—we cannot also act for you. This is not about choosing sides. It’s about making sure that no client’s trust or confidentiality is ever put at risk.
Real situations where we can’t act
Let’s say someone has posted lies about you on Facebook or X (formerly Twitter), and you want to take legal action. You call us, and we ask for your name and the name of the person you want to act against. If we find that person has already approached us in the past—perhaps they were a previous client who claimed you were harassing them—we must step back. Even if you feel they lied or misled us, we still can’t act for you. Another example might involve an ex-partner. If they contacted us a year ago with a complaint about revenge porn or abusive messages and we provided advice or representation, we would not be able to assist you if you now come to us with a related issue. Even if the details differ, the overlap in people and topics means we must avoid becoming conflicted.
When we can act: no conflict, no problem
There are many situations where we can assist you—especially when there’s no conflict of interest. For instance, if someone you know has used our services in the past but in a completely separate and unrelated matter, and they’ve recommended us to you, that’s absolutely fine. Provided your new matter is not connected in any way to theirs, we can act for you. Even if you had a past issue with someone we represented before, and that matter is now resolved, we can still help you with something entirely different. Say you and your ex had a dispute last year and we acted for them. If you’re now dealing with an issue involving a workplace data breach or anonymous online abuse—something that doesn’t involve your ex—we’re likely able to help, provided no conflict remains.
We wish we could help more
It’s heartbreaking to turn people away—especially when they’re in distress. We hear from people who are being defamed online, falsely accused of crimes, stalked via anonymous profiles, or targeted with doctored images and lies. These are not small issues. They cause deep emotional pain, damage reputations and sometimes put people in danger. But when we’ve already acted for the other party, our hands are tied. We can’t even discuss your case fully, because doing so could risk breaching someone else’s confidentiality.
Can we ever act for both sides?
If both people genuinely want the same outcome and the law allows it, we might be able to assist both, but only with full written consent from everyone involved. In cases of online harassment, cyberbullying, or defamation, that kind of agreement is extremely unlikely. Most people understandably have very different goals when they come to us for help.
What we do instead
If we find there’s a conflict, we’ll let you know gently and explain why we can’t continue. We’ll never leave you hanging or ignore your concerns. We’ll encourage you to find another solicitor, one who can give your case their full attention without any complications. We know that being turned away can feel like another blow, especially if you’ve already been hurt by someone’s words or actions online. But protecting the integrity of the legal process is one of the most important things we do. It ensures fairness, trust and transparency for everyone involved.
We’re still here to support you
Even if we can’t take your case, we hope you’ll feel reassured that we’ve taken your situation seriously and handled it with care. Our team is committed to supporting people facing online harm—and while we may not always be able to represent you directly, we’re always here to point you in the right direction.