posted by lawyersofmelbourne.com.au admin on Nov 8
META: Many firms of solicitors will offer at least a half hour free initial consultation, although this may only be via telephone. Finding that firm that offers the services you require is the first step; secondly you need to look at what information you would like to ascertain from them?
Most firms of solicitors will provide potential clients with the facility to call them and take advantage of at least half an hour’s worth of free advice. This is not however, as helpful as you might think. The half an hour slot will often be an assessment of you as to the other way around, as they like to determine whether your not your case is worth taking on. Unfortunately, this type of situation is all to reminiscent of how most firms of solicitors are able to manipulate situations to their own advantage.
With this in mind, it is always far more helpful if you can find a solicitor that will offer you a face-to-face free consultation. You may struggle to find a firm of solicitors in some areas of the country, that being said. Firms in larger cities are more likely to offer this service, as there tends to be more competition in these areas.
If you are able to visit the offices yourself, you are usually more likely to be able to decide whether or not you feel the specific firm will be the right choice for you. This way, you can meet the solicitor who will be dealing with your case face-to-face. It is quite nice to know who will be representing you throughout your Legal matter.
If you are only able to secure an over the telephone free consultation, it is important to remember that this is YOUR opportunity to ascertain whether or not you wish to instruct them and not just theirs. Solicitors will tend to dominate the full half hour session, as they are trying to determine business for themselves; you must stop this if you can and find out the information you need. As they will if you let them. The half an hour slot, is advertised for you so make sure it revolves around your circumstances and not the solicitors.
Of course you will have to set out the merits of the case, but you don’t have to take all day over this. If you are likely to go ahead and instruct them, then move on to finding out what the costs are to you. Get the charges set out in writing from the firm of solicitors prior to signing up with them. This will save any surprises further down the line. How they intend dealing with your case and the cost of each element are questions you should be asking your solicitor.
If you do not like the way in which your free consultation has gone, do not be afraid of declining this firm of solicitors’ service. There are plenty of other firms that should strike the right chord for you and you will find the solicitor that you feel will represent you the best.
Another very helpful tool in finding a solicitor can be found in accessing databases which contain unbiased reviews of the service previous clients have received. This is invaluable to you, especially when you consider that those firms which offer such poor service have an annoying way of managing to get away with it. Solicitor.info is a definite site that will help to assist you in this area. You can also access the Solicitors Directory.