Most reputable law firms will provide a low cost or free consultation service to potential clients before deciding to take their case. If they feel like your claim has some merit, they may represent you on a no win no fee basis. The consultation process gives you the opportunity to ask numerous questions to help you choose the best lawyer for your case.
Here are some questions to ask before hiring a potential lawyer in New South Wales.
How much experience do you have?
You’ll want to know how long the lawyer has been practicing law in the state, if they’ve been in the industry for several years, they should have a lot of experience and knowledge. Even if they haven’t been practicing for a long time, you shouldn’t dismiss them on the grounds that they are a novice. Some cases or advice doesn’t require you to hire an experienced lawyer, a beginner would be just as effective.
What is your area of expertise?
If you are searching for sexual assault lawyers or firms which specialise in personal injury, then you must ask the lawyer about their background. You’ll need a lawyer who has plenty of experience in the area you are facing, if they mainly deal with worker compensation claims, then they won’t be very useful when it comes to assault cases. It is important to hire someone who understands your situation and has extensive knowledge of the subject at hand.
What type of clients do you usually represent?
This question is often discounted by many people when choosing a lawyer, but it is essential to find out what kind of clients the lawyer represents. For instance, if you need a lawyer who deals with small business issues and the firm you are speaking too usually deals with multinational corporations, you may want to revise your decision.
Who will be working on my case?
You may enter a law firm and have a meeting with a member of the company who you think will be taking care of your case, but it could be passed on to another lawyer. Similarly, the lawyer may take the case but have one of their understudies do all the work because they are too busy to handle it. Find out who will be working on your case and ask whether they have much experience dealing with similar issues.
What is the pricing structure?
This is an important question to ask, you’ll want to know about their rates when hiring. They may offer a no win no fee service or they may work off a fixed hourly rate. If you hire a no win no fee lawyer, you’ve less chance of losing a lot of money.
When hiring a lawyer in NSW, it is important to ask a wide variety of relevant questions when speaking to potential candidates. This will help you to make a more informed decision when choosing the right person to take your case. Remember to draw up a list of questions before you visit the law firm.
