Summary (TL;DR)

Your law firm was turned down before — can UK Business Loans still help? Yes, often. A single lender’s decline doesn’t mean every lender will say no. UK Business Loans matches solicitors with specialist brokers and lenders who understand solicitor cashflow, client ledgers and retainer patterns. Submit a quick, no‑obligation Free Eligibility Check and we’ll present your case to the right partners so you can get tailored quotes fast. Get Quote Now

Disclosure: UK Business Loans is an introducer. We do not lend money or provide regulated financial advice. Submitting an enquiry will let us match your firm with lenders and brokers; it is not a formal loan application and does not affect your credit score.

Quick answer: Can UK Business Loans still match you after a rejection?

Yes — in many cases. Different lenders use different risk criteria and products. A decline from one lender can be reversed with:

• presentation to a lender that specialises in professional services;
• switching to a more suitable product (eg invoice finance rather than an unsecured loan);
• broker re‑presentation that provides additional documents or security.

Free Eligibility Check — it takes 2 minutes and allows us to match your firm to the best panel options.

Why lenders sometimes turn down solicitors (and what that means)

Common refusal reasons specific to solicitor firms

• Irregular income timing — large, lumpy receipts when cases close can look risky on standard underwriting.
• Client account or escrow complexities — lenders may be uncertain about access to funds.
• Short trading history or recent practice changes — lenders prefer predictable trading records.
• Adverse credit markers — late payments, CCJs or director defaults can deter some mainstream lenders.
• Product mismatch — applying for a standard unsecured business loan when invoice finance or bridging would be more appropriate.

What a decline actually signals

A decline is not always a permanent judgement of creditworthiness. Often it means the particular lender’s underwriting rules didn’t match your firm’s profile. With better evidence, an alternative product or a broker to reframe the case, other lenders may consider you.

How UK Business Loans works when you’ve already been declined

We’re a specialist matching service for businesses seeking finance. When you tell us a lender has declined you, we take a tailored approach:

1. Quick enquiry (2 minutes): business type (solicitor firm), turnover band, time trading, loan purpose, approximate amount (we arrange loans of £10,000 and above), and whether there’s an adverse credit history.
2. Specialist matching logic: our platform and experienced team match your firm to lenders and brokers that understand law firm cashflow patterns — human review plus automated filters.
3. Broker re‑presentation: brokers we introduce can reframe the application, add supporting material (client ledgers, retainer letters), propose security or alternative products and negotiate terms.
4. Rapid responses & quotes: once matched, you’ll typically hear back within hours to 48 hours with potential options and next steps.

Start Your Free Eligibility Check — submit details and we’ll get matching straight away.

Finance options that often work for solicitors after a previous decline

If a mainstream lender has said no, these specialist routes often remain available for solicitors:

Invoice finance / solicitor invoice discounting

Unlock cash tied up in unpaid settlements or invoices. This suits firms with clear client-ledger positions and predictable recoveries.

Bridging & short-term funding

Short-term bridging can cover disbursements, urgent payroll or to bridge the timing gap while a settlement completes.

Asset & equipment finance

Fund office refurbishment, IT or furniture against the new asset rather than cashflow history.

Receivables- or revenue-based finance

Flexible repayments tied to receipts — useful where income fluctuates with case flow.

Specialist lenders for imperfect credit

Some lenders accept adverse credit or shorter trading history in exchange for different terms or security.

Each option has pros and cons: invoice finance preserves borrowing against invoices but can be more expensive; bridging is fast but short-term; asset finance limits use to equipment. Our matching process will surface appropriate options for your firm.

What to tell us & documents to prepare to improve match chances

Provide clear, honest information. Useful documents speed approvals and improve the quality of matches:

• Recent bank statements (3–6 months).
• Client ledger / outstanding invoices or retainer letters showing expected settlements.
• Management accounts, P&L and balance sheet (latest 12 months if available).
• Details of any CCJs, defaults or formal declines and the lender’s reason (if given).
• Proof of ID and director information.

Don’t hide a prior decline — explain it. Lenders and brokers prefer full context so they can structure a suitable offer.

Upload details — Get Quote Now

How to improve odds before you apply

• Reconcile client accounts and provide clear ledgers.
• Prepare a short 3-month cashflow forecast showing how funds will be repaid.
• Consider smaller amounts or partial security to widen lender appetite.
• Clear small personal or director overdrafts where practical.
• Work with an experienced broker to reframe the application.

These steps help brokers present a stronger case and increase the chance of a positive outcome.

Realistic expectations: timelines, likely offers and fees

Typical timelines:

• Initial match & response: often within hours, up to 48 hours.
• Full formal offers: may take several days depending on due diligence.
• Funding: from a few days (for invoice or asset finance) to several weeks (for secured facilities).

Costs vary by product and risk profile. Specialist lenders may charge higher rates for higher perceived risk or imperfect credit; secured facilities usually have lower pricing than unsecured options. Some offers require director guarantees or security — brokers will make this clear in quotes.

Compliance, transparency and trust

UK Business Loans acts as an introducer and matchmaker. We do not lend or provide regulated financial advice. By submitting your enquiry you consent to us sharing details with selected lenders and brokers who may contact you with quotes.

Submitting an initial enquiry is not a formal application and does not affect your credit score. Lenders may carry out checks only if you progress to a formal application with them.

We aim to be clear, fair and not misleading in all communications.

Anonymised case study

A mid-size litigation firm with £450k annual turnover was declined by a mainstream bank due to lumpy receipts and a recent late payment. After submitting our form and sharing client ledgers, we matched them with an invoice finance specialist. The broker presented clear ledger evidence and a proposed short-term facility; the firm received an offer and access to funds within 7 days, covering payroll and disbursements while cases settled.

Frequently asked questions

If a lender has turned us down before, can UK Business Loans still match us?

Often yes. We match your firm to lenders and brokers that specialise in legal practices and alternative finance products. Different lenders underwrite risk differently; a decline to one doesn’t mean a decline to all.

If we were previously declined by a lender, can we still be matched through UK Business Loans?

Yes. Provide full context about the prior decline and supporting documents — brokers can reframe the case, propose alternative products (eg invoice finance) or seek a lender with more flexible criteria.

If a lender has rejected us in the past, can UK Business Loans still find a match?

Often. We work with a broad panel and will look for lenders whose underwriting fits your firm’s situation. Honesty and good documentation improve your chances.

Will submitting an enquiry affect my credit score?

No. An initial enquiry on our site does not affect credit scores. Lenders may run checks only if you choose to progress with a formal application.

Can firms with CCJs or adverse credit still get finance?

Possibly. Some specialist lenders consider applicants with adverse credit but terms may include higher rates, shorter terms or security. A broker will advise on realistic options.

How does invoice finance work for solicitors?

Invoice finance advances a percentage of outstanding invoices or anticipated settlements. For solicitors, a clear client ledger and evidence of recoverability are key. It turns unsettled fees into near-immediate working capital.

Do you support specialist solicitor finance products?

Yes — we match firms with partners offering solicitor invoice discounting, bridging for settlement timing, asset and equipment finance, and other tailored solutions.

Get a free, no‑obligation eligibility check

Ready to see what options might be available even after a prior decline? Complete our short form — it takes under 2 minutes. We’ll match your solicitors’ firm with specialist lenders and brokers and arrange tailored quotes.

Free Eligibility Check — Get Quote Now

No obligation. No upfront cost. Submitting won’t affect your credit score. We arrange loans of £10,000 and upwards.

Read more about how we help law firms on our industry page: solicitors business loans.