Many people arrive at a first meeting with a lawyer carrying a long story, a bundle of loose papers and an understandable sense of anxiety. Within the limited time of that meeting, the lawyer needs a clear picture of the facts before forming a view, and every missing or confused detail can change the legal assessment of the matter.
Preparing well does not require legal knowledge; it requires order. Your task is to set out what happened honestly and clearly, to bring the papers you hold, and to know what you want to ask. The legal characterisation of the facts is the lawyer’s work.
Start with a written chronology
Set out the facts on one or two pages in the order in which they occurred, from the earliest to the most recent. A line or two for each event is usually enough, provided it answers the basic questions:
- When did it happen, even approximately?
- Who was involved, and who was present?
- What exactly happened, and what was said or written?
- Is there a document or message that records it?
Distinguish between what you witnessed yourself and what others told you, and between the event itself and your personal view of it. Do not leave out facts that appear to work against you; knowing them early allows a realistic assessment of the matter.
Gather and organise your documents
A written document is often the strongest means of proof. The Evidence Law No. 107 of 1979 defines official documents in Article 21(1) and, under Article 22(1), treats them as binding as to their recorded contents unless shown to be forged by the means prescribed by law. Under Article 25(1), an ordinary (private) document is deemed to have been issued by the person who signed it unless that person expressly denies the handwriting, signature or thumbprint attributed to them.
Collect everything connected with the matter, including:
- contracts, agreements and their annexes;
- receipts, transfers and account statements;
- letters and electronic correspondence, each with its date;
- any paper issued by a court or government office.
Arrange the papers in the same chronological order and prepare copies. Keep the originals somewhere safe, bring them to the meeting in case they need to be inspected, and never write notes on them. If some documents are held by another party or kept by a government office, say so and indicate where they are; obtaining them may form part of the work.
Record dates and notifications
Some legal steps must be taken within fixed periods, and missing them may result in the loss of a right that cannot be recovered. The date on which you received a notification or a decision is therefore important information in its own right.
On a separate sheet, note:
- the date and manner of receipt of every notification or formal notice;
- the dates of any scheduled hearing before a court or investigating authority;
- the date of any decision or judgment relating to the matter.
If a deadline is approaching, mention it at the start of the meeting, as it may change the order of priorities.
Decide what you want from the meeting
Write your questions in advance and rank them by their importance to you. Ask yourself whether you simply want to understand your legal position, or whether you want the lawyer to represent you in a dispute. The difference between seeking advice and seeking representation determines the nature and scope of the work involved.
It is also useful to mention:
- the names of the other parties, which the lawyer may need in order to confirm that nothing prevents them from acting in the matter;
- any steps already taken, such as a complaint, an approach to a government office or an attempt at settlement;
- the practical outcome you hope for, and what you would not accept.
Candour is the basis of sound advice
A lawyer’s opinion rests on what you tell them; if the information is incomplete or embellished, the opinion will drift away from reality. Some people hesitate to mention embarrassing details, but the law protects that trust. Article 46 of the Advocacy Law No. 173 of 1965 prohibits a lawyer from disclosing a secret entrusted to them, or learned through their profession, even after the agency has ended, unless disclosure would prevent the commission of a crime.
Even so, share sensitive details in the meeting itself rather than through open messages or intermediaries.
Conclusion
A productive meeting with a lawyer begins before the appointment: a clear chronology, organised documents, recorded dates, focused questions and complete candour. The opinion given at a first meeting may be preliminary and may require further documents or closer review, because the legal treatment of any matter depends on its particular facts.
