Soil liquefaction during strong ground shaking results in almost a complete loss of strength and stiffness in the liquefied soil, and consequent large ground deformation. Characteristics of the liquefied soils and loads on piles are significantly different during the cyclic phase and in the subsequent lateral spreading phase. Thus, it is necessary to separately consider these two phases in the simplified analysis of piles. This paper describes a practical procedure for preliminary assessment of piles subjected to lateral spreading. Effects of a crust of non-liquefied soil at the ground surface, properties of liquefied soils and pile groups are discussed in relation to their modelling in the simplified pseudo-static analysis approach. Particular attention is given to the treatment of unknowns and uncertainties involved in the simplified analysis and the need for parametric studies.