Choosing a legal representative can be difficult. There are various factors that you need to consider in order to choose the right representative for you, and a big part of that is knowing the right questions in order to choose someone to represent you.
Don’t be afraid to ask
If a legal representative shies away or is evasive when you ask questions you may have to consider looking elsewhere. A lot of people associate law firms with being cold or distant, but this is not true – ultimately, you should be able to trust your instincts. Remember, this person is representing you, so if you don’t feel comfortable when talking to them, then it may be better to choose someone else.
Experience
A good thing to ask is about the representative’s experience. It may be that they studied in the particular field of your case and therefore specialise in that area (such as business, personal injury or particular industries such as sports or entertainment).
This can also include how many cases they have taken, and the proportion of those cases that are relevant to your particular circumstances.
Contact
It may seem like a silly question to ask, but it’s also very important- is the person you are talking to the person who is going to represent you? This is not as obvious as you may think. In a larger firm, there may be someone who initially meets you to discuss the case, while during the actual court case, it may be someone else who represents you.
It is also worth establishing how much the person you talk to will be involved in the case. Ideally, they should be honest and upfront about how much they are going to be involved. Usually, they will be involved in each aspect, but it may be that they supervise someone else doing the paperwork or work alongside other members of their legal term.
Professional bodies
You should also ask if they are on the panel of a professional body. This can indicate if your representative has an interest in their specialist area outside of being a legal representative.
Payment options
It is also worth discussing different payment options. Some firms may offer a “no win, no fee” service, while there may also be other payment options available.
In the case of compensation cases, you may require specialist treatment or incur costs before you receive compensation. A legal firm may be able to offer an interim payment at that time.
No guarantees
While it is worth asking about the likelihood of a positive verdict, a legal representative should not guarantee you a positive verdict, and if they do, you should consider looking elsewhere.
We can help
At Larcomes, we offer a range of specialist legal professionals, while at the same time being committed to a level of customer service that you should expect and deserve. If you wish to discuss a case in more detail, please contact us today.