Five questions to ask your lawyer
Five questions to ask your lawyer
What will it cost?: Is the initial meeting free of charge? How much do you charge per hour? What is your overall bill likely to come to? What other expenses are there? If considering litigation, could I be responsible for the other side's costs?
What is the timescale? How long will my matter take to conclude? What could delay the conclusion of my case?
What are my prospects of success? If litigation, what are the prospects for success? Would mediation or negotiating directly with the other party be a better course of action? Does the solicitor properly understand what my problem is?
Do you understand my case? Ask your solicitor to also summarise the advice you've been given and read it carefully when it arrives. This will demonstrate whether the solicitor has fully understood your case. If you are not happy that this is the case, now is the time to clarify the situation – or find another solicitor if your first choice does not inspire confidence.
What do I need to do? After the meeting, the solicitor will send you a client care letter, which should contain:
· Confirmation that the firm has agreed to handle the case.
· Who will handle your case and whether that person is a solicitor, trainee, legal executive or paralegal.
· How often you will be updated in the progress of your matter and by what means (e.g. telephone, email or letter).
· The main points of the case, an outline of your objectives, what options you have, an outline of any advice already given to you and what will happen next.
· How long the matter is likely to take to conclude.
· An estimate of how much the matter will cost, including the solicitors’ fees and other expenses and the basis on which these will be paid. If there is a risk that you will be liable for the other side’s costs (usually in the event of litigation), then this should also be included.
· The name and contact details of the person at the firm who is responsible for handling complaints.
As the case progresses, your solicitor should keep you informed about its progress and, in particular, any factors that may increase the cost of your case.
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