Six practical observations for the moment between finding an office and agreeing to work. Each includes a question to ask and the reason it matters.
By Lawyers by Suburb · Updated General enquiry preparation. AI-assisted content; independent legal review is not claimed.
General preparation information, not legal advice. Rules and options depend on your circumstances and jurisdiction. Check current official information and speak with a qualified adviser about documents, rights or deadlines.
Note 01
Ask what you will leave with
An appointment is a meeting format, not a complete description of the service. Ask whether you will receive an oral explanation, written advice, a marked-up document or a plan for further work. Put that answer beside the fee. A higher price may include a deliverable that the cheaper appointment does not, and the same appointment length can cover different preparation.
What will I receive after this appointment, and what is outside its scope?
Why this helps
This turns a vague comparison of prices into a practical comparison of work. Leave any inclusion unknown until the office confirms it.
When a draft changes, earlier comments may no longer describe the document in front of you. Label the version you send, keep the original intact and tell the adviser if a schedule or attachment is missing. Ask whether a further revision is included in the engagement before assuming the lawyer is reviewing each new email attachment.
Which version are you reviewing, and does the fee cover another round of changes?
Why this helps
Clear version labels help everyone discuss the same material. They do not replace advice on the final document or establish that it is ready to sign.
If a letter or notice contains a date, identify the document and that date at the start of your enquiry. Say if you do not understand its meaning. The provider can then assess whether it has the right expertise and capacity to consider the timing. Avoid burying a date at the end of a long account or assuming an automatic acknowledgement means it has been assessed.
Can a suitable adviser assess this document and its timing before the stated date?
Why this helps
The question asks about capacity and assessment. It does not calculate a deadline or assume that a booking changes your obligations.
A quote that does not mention an expense has not necessarily included it for free. Keep a separate column for items awaiting confirmation, such as document review, follow-up, GST or external expenses. Ask both providers the same questions. A tidy total based on missing information is less useful than an honest comparison that shows what you still need to clarify.
Are these expenses included, separate or not yet known?
Why this helps
The quote worksheet deliberately distinguishes an unanswered amount from a confirmed zero. You can compare the scope without inventing a complete budget.
An office profile describes a business record. Before relying on a service label, ask who will provide the advice, how to check that individual’s credentials and what relevant work they handle. A familiar logo, a nearby address or a favourable review does not answer those questions. Use the appropriate official register for the kind of professional involved.
Who will advise me, and where can I verify their professional details?
Why this helps
Different legal-service providers have different roles. Confirm the person’s status and the proposed work rather than inferring either from the business name.
Use the final minutes of an appointment to distinguish work the provider has accepted from options you are still considering. Ask what it needs from you, what further work costs and when you should expect an update. Keep the confirmation with the proposal. A helpful conversation can still leave important responsibilities unresolved unless you ask about them explicitly.
What have you agreed to do next, and what remains for me to arrange?
Why this helps
A short responsibility note helps prevent misunderstandings. It is an organisational aid, not a substitute for the agreed engagement or advice about timing.
General preparation information, not legal advice. Rules and options depend on your circumstances and jurisdiction. Check current official information and speak with a qualified adviser about documents, rights or deadlines.