Overview
Once a Payment Plan has been created and sent, you can monitor instalments, filter plans from the Pay dashboard, cancel a plan if needed, and manage any overdue payments.
How to view a Payment Plan
Go to Pay > Payment Plans.
Open the Payment Plan. View payment plans details opens with:
Request details: contact, created date, requested by, attachments and comment.
Plan details: Plan total, Paid and Outstanding, plus the number of instalments, frequency, instalment amount, remainder instalment, plan reference, first and next instalment dates, and instalments remaining.
Payment schedule: each instalment's due date, amount and status, for example Due or Scheduled. Select View next to an instalment to see its details.
Payment plan history: a record of changes to the plan, such as when it was created or paused, who made the change and the reason given.
At the top of the plan, you can:
Copy link: copy the client's payment link.
Pause payment plan: see How to pause a Payment Plan below.
Cancel payment plan: see How to cancel a Payment Plan below.
How to update a Payment Plan
Open the Payment Plan.
Under Payment schedule, select Update future schedule.
Change the Due date or Amount of any future payment. Select the bin icon to remove a payment, or + Add future payment to add one.
Check for Future payments match the outstanding balance.
Select Review changes, check the changes, then confirm to apply the update. To start again, select Discard changes.
Payments already taken are locked. Changes apply only to the outstanding balance.
The Payment Plan is updated in place. There is no need to close and reopen it.
The client does not need to re-authorise their card.
The client receives an email confirming the Payment Plan has been updated.
How to pause a Payment Plan
Open the Payment Plan and select Pause payment plan.
Add a Reason if you want to (optional, up to 200 characters).
Select Pause plan.
Pausing stops future instalments until you resume the plan. Any outstanding payment links stay open. The plan shows as Paused.
To restart it, open the plan and select Resume payment plan.
How to filter Payment Plans
You can filter Payment Plans in two ways:
Option 1: Payment Plans tab
Go to Pay → Payment Plans.
View all Payment Plans in one place.
Option 2: Payments filters
Go to Pay → Payments.
Use the Payment Source filter.
Select Payment Plan.
This displays all individual payments linked to Payment Plans (alongside any other applied filters).
How to cancel a Payment Plan
Open the Payment Plan and select Cancel payment plan.
Select a reason for cancelling. This is required.
Confirm the cancellation.
ℹ️ Important
Cancelling a Payment Plan cannot be undone. To stop payments for now, pause the plan instead. To change instalment amounts or dates, see How to update a Payment Plan above.
ℹ️ Further guidance
Payment Plan email notifications
Client notifications
Payment Plan schedule – Sent after the first instalment is paid.
Advanced warning – Sent 3 days before each scheduled payment.
Payment confirmation – Sent after each successful payment.
Unsuccessful payment – Sent if a payment fails (including the reason).
Payment plan schedule updated – Sent when a Payment Plan is updated (instalment amounts and/or schedule changed).
Law firm notifications
Successful payment – Sent to the creator after each instalment is paid.
Advanced warning – Sent if a plan has not started within 14 days (client has not entered card details).
Unsuccessful payment – Sent if a payment fails, including the reason.
Legl Payment Plan Started – Sent when a client on a flexible schedule makes their first payment.
Managing overdue instalments
Instalments may become overdue if:
The first instalment is not paid on the first payment date.
A payment is declined.
An instalment is paid outside of the plan.
If the first instalment is not paid
The client must complete the first instalment before the second instalment date. If not, the system cannot debit the second payment.
If a payment is declined
The client receives an email explaining the reason.
If declined due to insufficient funds, Legl retries the payment for four days.
If declined due to card expiry, the plan must be cancelled and recreated.
If an instalment is paid outside the plan
If paid through Legl (e.g. Phone Payment, Checkout, separate Pay Request):
Cancel the entire Payment Plan and create a new one.
Leave a note referencing the successful payment.
If paid outside Legl (e.g. BACS):
Mark the overdue instalment as Paid for record-keeping.
Cancel the plan and create a new one if required.
In all cases where an instalment is paid outside the plan, the plan must be cancelled and recreated.
Important information
A live Payment Plan can be updated in place — you can change the instalment amounts and/or schedule without cancelling and recreating the plan. See How to update a Payment Plan.
Cancelling a Payment Plan is irreversible.
If the first instalment is not completed, future instalments cannot be taken.
Client payment details are encrypted and securely stored with Legl's FCA-regulated processing partner, Adyen (PCI Compliant Level 1).
Troubleshooting
Can I change a Payment Plan without cancelling it?
Yes. Open the Payment Plan and select Update future schedule. See How to update a Payment Plan. The plan is updated in place.
Can I pause a Payment Plan?
Yes. Select Pause payment plan, then Resume payment plan when you are ready. See How to pause a Payment Plan.
Can I refund part of a Payment Plan?
Yes. Follow the standard refund process.