Seeing your Legal Adviser
Once you have contacted us and made an appointment to see a legal adviser, what should you expect?
When you go, take with you:
- information about your income and expenses (for example, wage slips, bank statements and benefits statements);
- in cases regarding a relationship, copies of marriage/partnership and birth certificates as appropriate;
- your national insurance number;
- copies of any letters relating to your problem (for example, letters from the person or organisation your problem is about);
- copies of any court documents relating to your problem;
- any other documents that may help the adviser (for example, tenancy agreements, if your problem is about housing).
What your adviser should explain:
There are several things your adviser should explain to you about your case and how they will deal with it. Make sure they cover the following points and ask about them if they don’t:
- your options for resolving your problem – especially if the adviser cannot help you themselves;
- your chances of winning your case;
- whether you will, or might, have to attend court;
- whether your problem can be resolved without going to court;
- what the total costs might be;
- the different ways of paying for legal services;
- how the legal aid system works, and whether you are eligible for legal aid;
- if you can get legal aid, whether you will have to pay some of the costs;
- what you might also have to pay if you lose your case;
- who in the legal firm will be handling your case; and
- what to do if you are unhappy with the service you are receiving.
Before you leave the meeting, you should make sure you know:
- what you need to do next;
- what your adviser will do next;
- whether you need to give your adviser any more information or documents;
- whether there are any key dates or deadlines you need to know about; and
- when your adviser will contact you again, or when your next meeting will be.
Your legal adviser must follow professional rules, including keeping your information private and confidential. You must tell them everything about your case, so they can help you in the best way possible.
©2010 The Law Society. All Rights Reserved.
__________
|
