When you need legal advice, you will probably go to your first meeting with your legal consultant with a wide range of things that you want to ask them about your case and the services that they can offer. It can be a good idea to write down the main questions that you want to ask so that you do not forget anything. If you are unsure of what sort of things you need to be asking, the following questions are a good place to start.
- What are the fees?
Legal action can sometimes be very expensive, and one of the main things that people worry about when they are considering taking such action is the cost. You should find out at the very beginning of the process how much the costs are likely to be for your case. It is also worth finding out whether there are any charges that will need to be paid as the case progresses, or if you will be presented with a final bill when the matter is resolved. Once you have all this information then you will be able to budget for the cost of the legal action.
- What will the timescale for the case be?
Another concern that many people have is that the case will take a long time to be resolved. Even if your case is not one that is likely to be resolved quickly, when you are aware from this from the outset it may make it easier to deal with. There may be things that you can do to help to speed up the process, such as responding quickly to any requests for information from the courts. Being aware of anything that may possibly delay the case can also help as you may be able to try and avoid this situation arising.
- What are the realistic chances of success?
There are certain situations where legal action may not be the best course of action. When you receive legal advice you should be advised honestly about whether there may be an alternative solution such as mediation, for example. By asking whether it is realistic to expect legal action to be successful, you will be in a better position to make the choice whether or not to proceed with you case, or to try and seek another way to resolve the issue.
- What experience do you have in these types of cases?
If you do decide to go ahead with legal action, then you will want someone that has experience in your type of case to be able to handle things for you. In the initial meeting you may want to ask how many cases like yours have been worked on by the firm in the past, and what the outcome of these cases were. It may also be possible for you to view testimonials from previous clients as well. If you feel as if the details of your case have not been understood, then do not be afraid to ask more questions to try and establish the level of understanding.
Asking these questions can help you decide how you will proceed with any legal action that you are considering. They may also help to set you mind at rest about any concerns that you had about your case. Further information about the importance of seeking legal advice can be found by visiting hyltonpotts.com