Working with your lawyer – the first meeting

Understanding the key aspects of the relationship between you and your lawyer can help your lawyer resolve your legal problem quickly and effectively.  It can also save you money.

Engaging a lawyer means that they will act as your legal representative and that they have a duty to act according to your instructions.  However, lawyers also have a primary duty to the Court and have ethical and professional obligations to not do anything which will mislead the Court or waste the Court’s time.

It is important to know that all your communication with your lawyer is “privileged”, meaning that it is confidential between you and them.  It will be at the first meeting or interview that you explain your situation to the lawyer in your own words.

It can be helpful to inform yourself about the area of the law that you are dealing with before you go to the first meeting.  If you are informed, it is easier to ask the right questions and it may save you time and money.

Preparation is the key to a getting the most out of your first (or any) meeting with your lawyer.  It is important to get as much information as possible out of the first interview.  Write a chronology of events or detailed account of the situation before seeing a lawyer can be very helpful, as is taking all the relevant documents and paperwork with you to the meeting.

It is important to fully explain the circumstances and answer your lawyer’s questions accurately and truthfully – remember, the information is confidential – so that your lawyer can develop a full understanding of the facts and issues and provide you with accurate advice.  This is when you can ask questions, particularly about the options which are available and the type of service the solicitor can provide.

Your lawyer will listen and usually take notes and likely ask a number of questions, including personal information (name, address etc), the details of the story and who else is involved.  They may ask you for any evidence to verify the details.  Whilst your lawyer will usually summarise the discussion for you in a letter or an email, it is always useful to make your own notes during any meetings or conversations with your lawyer.

After considering the facts and issues, your lawyer may provide legal advice.  This is a statement of the law, applying all the relevant facts and principles to the circumstances of your particular case and will usually include discussing the possible alternatives and best courses of action open to you. However, it is often difficult for a lawyer to give firm or final advice after only one interview and it may be that some of the issues are complex and will require further investigation or research before a more accurate opinion can be advanced.

At the end of your first meeting, you should at least come away with a better understanding of how the law applies to your particular situation, as well as the next steps to take before proceeding with further action.