Preparing to contact a solicitor.

The Law Society give the following guide lines:

The more preparation you do before the interview, the more you'll get out of it:

• Write down all the questions that you want to ask, and bring the list along to the meeting.
• Get together all the relevant paperwork you'll need in your meeting. Try to get these papers in order, by organising the letters or documents by date, for example. This will make it easier for your solicitor to understand your situation and advise you more quickly.
• If you are planning to take someone with you, either to offer moral support or to help remember what's said, mention this when making the appointment.

Meeting your solicitor

• At the beginning of the meeting, ask how long the meeting will last. You need to cover all the relevant points within this time.
• Use the list of questions you made in advance. Make sure you ask all your questions and that you fully understand the answers you're given. If there is anything you don't understand, ask your solicitor to explain.
• Try to answer your solicitor's questions as clearly and accurately as you can, but also be brief. Your solicitor will ask you many questions.
• Show your solicitor any relevant documents you have brought with you.
• Ask your solicitor to send you a letter summarising the advice you've been given.

First meeting checklist

Your solicitor is there to guide you through the legal process. Ask any questions at an early stage. You might want to ask these questions:

• How much will this cost?
• How long will it take?
• Might it be quicker and cheaper if I approach my opponent direct?
• Is mediation an option?
• How likely is my case to succeed?
• Could I end up paying my opponent's costs?
• Do I need to do anything?
• What happens next?

You may also want to ask yourself:

• Do I feel confident about using this solicitor?
• Did I understand everything that my solicitor told me?
• Did he or she fully understand my problem?
• Am I clear about how much this could cost me if I go ahead?

Solicitors' charges

Your solicitor must make it clear to you as soon as possible the way in which he or she will charge you for work on your case. It may be that you will be eligible for publicly funded assistance.

Ross Aldridge Solicitors offer a 'no win no fee' consultation.