Solicitors will frequently offer a free or low-cost consultation to establish the details of your situation and give you a chance to ask some general questions about your legal situation. This meeting will not just help you decide whether to go forward with the lawyer in general, but it will also establish you should proceed with this case. If you later decide to hire the solicitor, you will go into a more detailed discussion of your case and ask more specific questions along the way. Generally speaking, you’ll want to have a list of questions in mind to ask during the meeting. Also, you should feel comfortable enough to ask any questions regarding the lawyer’s expertise, experience, fees, special knowledge, and management of the case. So without further ado, we list here a couple of questions that it is certainly worth asking in regards to the legal services that they can provide for you.
Have you handled this type of case before?
Most likely the answer will be yes.This is often the most important question to query. A lawyer who has the appropriate background can frequently save you lots of time and money, all while getting the optimum result for you. Also, don’t take a simple yes for a sufficient answer. Have a few follow-up questions prepared, for example, where and when any similar cases went to trial and their results, to ensure the solicitor really knows the subject matter.
Where will my case be carried out?
Having a lawyer with the right legal background is crucial, but it is also essential to know whether your solicitor has experience if there are judges who will likely preside over your case. If yours is a criminal matter, it is essential to be aware of if your lawyer knows the local prosecutors. This courtroom experience can greatly enhance your lawyer’s ability to evaluate the likely outcomes in your case if this is the avenue you want to follow.
Do you have any conflicts of interest?
Lawyers have an obligation to advise you without any conflict of interest so you should ask this question. If the lawyer’s representation of prior or existing clients would limit the solicitors ability to represent you, there could be a conflict. For example, if you wish to sue a healthcare environment that the potential lawyer regularly represents, there will be a conflict. A conflict might also arise if the attorney you are interviewing has already been hired by a co-defendant in your case. Not all conflicts automatically disqualify potential counsel, but you need to be fully aware of and understand the nature of the conflict before deciding whether to hire a lawyer in spite of it.
Is it a no win no fee service?
In the case of accident claims, you often have to find many solicitors in the UK today who are willing to take up your case on a ‘no win no fee’ basis. What ‘no win no fee’ means is, if the solicitor or law firm does not win the case for you, you do not pay the solicitor’s fees.
When you and the legal firm get into such an agreement, it basically indicates that they are willing to offer you a service all while covering all legal factors of your case. You will not incur any upfront costs at all. Basically, the ‘no win no fee’ solicitor takes the risk on your case. In return for them taking the risk of failure, you will be expected to pay a ‘success fee’ if you win the case.
What technology do you use to help you do your job?
This might sound silly but emergency rooms and hospitals use computerised to-do lists; not because the health professionals don’t know how to help someone, but because studies have shown that to-do lists help lower human error. Everyone is human, even legal professionals, and it is important that you are comfortable with the level of technological aids your lawyer has at their disposal. To-do lists, computer document management, and cloud based access are a minimum.
Case Management
And then we come onto case management, this basically means finding out how they will deal with your case.
How long will the case take?
In discussing case strategy, your solicitor will give you an estimate of how much time the case will take to get to a resolution. Think about the fact that your lawyer does not control the pace of the process and cannot make any promises about when it will be done.
How are you going to communicate?
You should feel comfortable from the beginning of your attorney-client relationship that you will be able to have frequent communications with your counsel. Be sure that you exchange contact information and agree on the ways that you will stay in contact throughout the proceedings.
What is my role in case preparation?
It is important to find out what you should and should not be doing to support your attorney. Frequently you will be able to provide documents and background information. Nevertheless, your lawyer will usually tell you that you should not speak to witnesses or do any legal work. Learn how you can play your part, and make sure to follow your counsel’s instructions.
Who will be doing the work?
Your lawyer will often be part of a law firm with junior associates as well as paralegals. Be sure you know who will be working on your case and in which capacity. Your lawyer can frequently save you money by delegating routine tasks to firm employees who charge a decreased hourly rate. Nevertheless, your lawyer should be involved in all the essential aspects and decisions of your case, or should explain to you why a colleague can handle some important part of the matter just as well. In a law firm there are often lots of different solicitors and staff in supporting roles. Calling a firm and not knowing who looks after you matter can be an issue, it can also mean that information will take longer to reach the right area. Be sure that you ask during your first meeting for the necessary and direct contact details for the person who will be responsible for your case.
What are the next steps?
Ask your lawyer to give you a guide as to the necessary next steps. Often this may mean a follow up email from them asking you for a number of documents and sending you a costs disclosure. Nevertheless, especially in urgent scenarios, the next steps may indicate you to do any manner of things, and it is never pleasant to be wondering who is meant to do what next?
Richard & lewis – Quality Legal Services in Ebbw Vale
Here at Richard & Lewis, we are qualified local solicitors who have been operating since 1987 and have experience dealing with residential conveyancing issues as well as probate, powers of attorney and divorce. If you’re looking for solicitors near me in Ebbw Vale, look no further. We understand that you will need a solicitor you can trust when you are dealing with a complicated legal matter. As a solicitors firm, we only ever offer the best for our clients to provide them with peace of mind and ensure their legal matters are properly resolved. We pride ourselves on the quality of our legal advice and representation. We always endeavour to be the very best for our clients and our rates are affordable too. We can provide expert representation. If you’ve been trying to find a lawyer to give you sound advice, get in touch with Richard and Lewis.
