What should I expect when I first contact a Solicitor for a consultation?

A Solicitor will usually set up an initial meeting at a time and location suitable for you both.

It is important to get the most out of the first consultation.  You will have questions for them and they will want to hear your story in detail.  There is no such thing as a stupid question.  It is important that you feel heard and comfortable asking them questions.

It can be a good idea to write down your story in advance or make a list of matters you wish to discuss.

What questions your Solicitor will ask?

In order to know if they can assist you and if you may have the basis for bringing legal proceedings, your Solicitor will want to know the full story including the important dates of when matters took place.

Contacting a Solicitor can be daunting and it can be difficult to open up and discuss private matters e.g. an accident you were involved in, an incident at work or if you believe your medical treatment was incorrect or negligent.  Hopefully, the Solicitor will put you at ease and you will feel comfortable explaining your story and injuries.  They will understand that it can be distressing to talk about an awful experience you (or a family member) went through.

Having heard the story, the Solicitor will advise on the next steps, further information required and if possible, at that stage, the strength and approximate value of your claim.

Proceedings need to be taken within a certain timeframe and your Solicitor will advise you regarding these.  If there are deadlines looming, then they will advise the timeframe for various decisions and steps to be taken.

What questions should I ask my Solicitor at the initial consultation?

You should always tell the full story to the best of your recollection and the truth.

You may wish to ask about fees at the various stages and when and what you would be required to pay if you win or lose.  A Solicitor is legally obliged to explain their fees to you.

You may wish to ask about their experience in dealing with your specific type of claim e.g. some Solicitors have experience of acting in complex medical negligence cases to achieve a good outcome, others have more experience in acting for people regarding employment law or others in personal injuries cases such as regarding road traffic accidents, accidents at work etc.  It is important to find the right expertise for your individual case.

You may wish to ask for an estimate about how long your case would generally take.

At the end of the consultation, you and your Solicitor should both have a clear plan about next steps, deadlines and decisions to be made.

Contact us at Cantillons Solicitors at +353 (0)21 4275673 or info@cantillons.com  if you would like more information.

* In contentious business, a Solicitor may not calculate fees or other charges as a percentage or proportion of any award or settlement.  Many Personal Injury Solicitors portray themselves as “no win no fee Solicitors Cork”. This term can be misleading and it is essential that you discuss fees with the Personal Injury Solicitor you ultimately choose. At Cantillons Solicitors, we are entirely transparent.