You are entitled to high standards of legal advice and representation and your solicitor must act in accordance with a range of legal duties owed to clients. At the same time a successful solicitor/client relationship requires cooperation on both sides. There are various things you can do to help your solicitor.

Give full and clear instructions

To represent your interests successfully your solicitor needs information. Being candid about your matter, including its history and what you are trying to achieve, will help your solicitor provide better advice. It is important for a solicitor to know all details as soon as possible so they are not surprised, especially if a court case is involved. Facts which may not seem important to you may have significant legal consequences.

Be honest and lawful

You must not lie to your solicitor or to expect your solicitor to uphold a mistruth. Solicitors have a duty not to mislead. For instance, if you supply false information in an affidavit or false evidence during a case and you do not allow your solicitor to correct the misinformation, your solicitor must withdraw from your case. So you could end up without proper representation and have the expense of finding a new solicitor.

Be prepared

Before you speak with or visit a solicitor, it is a good idea to write down a summary of your matter, including questions and the contact details of all persons involved. You will also need to collate any documents and show them to your solicitor. If you are not sure what is relevant, it is best to take along all documents pertaining to your matter and let your solicitor decide what is important. Being prepared will save your solicitor’s time and help to reduce your costs.

Follow instructions

So that your solicitor can serve you efficiently, follow their instructions as quickly as possible. For instance your solicitor may request more information or documentation. Use or ask for a checklist of what you need to provide and when.

Understand the fees and costs

Solicitors are required by law to tell you about their fees and other expenses before they start working for you. This is known as the duty of disclosure. There are numerous ways solicitors can charge their fees.

Ask questions

The law is complex with lots of unfamiliar words and processes. If you are confused or have any questions, ask your solicitor for an explanation as soon as possible. This will minimise the likelihood of misunderstandings further down the track.

Keep in contact

Legal issues can take a long time to resolve. Your solicitor should keep you up to date with the progress of your matter. Agree on how frequently you will be informed and by what method, such as telephone or email.

Also inform your solicitor immediately if the circumstances of your matter or personal circumstances change. Even slight changes may mean that your solicitor will have to take a different approach.