This is an initial introductory 20-minute session free of charge, to establish what we can do for a new client (only) and the basis upon which we do it. This will normally be held fortnightly (or at whatever interval we deem, from time to time, to be appropriate) at our office. However, it could alternatively be done by telephone if a face-to-face meeting is not necessary or convenient.
Our website (see Advice tab, Free Information Sessions) indicates the next date when free information sessions can be booked, along with an indication of the time slots available. Naturally, these dates and time slots are not fixed in stone; a free information session can be booked for an alternative date and time if more convenient. The purpose of indicating these dates and times is just to try to encourage the free sessions to all be dealt with in one day in a block of appointments, as far as is possible, in order to reduce the number of unpaid interruptions to our day.
We should try to keep the free consultation to the 20-minute period so far as is possible, but more importantly we should not be giving detailed professional advice without charge. The aim, therefore, of the free session is to seek to establish a rapport with the client, and to show that they will need our professional advice and that this will need to be paid for. We will then normally provide a quotation for any work to be done, setting out what payment on account will be needed.
The revised standard clinic confirmation letter now includes an additional sheet which we ask the person to complete and bring to the meeting with them. I appreciate that some people will forget, or not bring the completed form for whatever reason, but many will probably complete at least part of it.
When someone arrives for a meeting, please ask them for the form.
If they produce it, please check it and ask for any additional details needed to complete it. Then do the Clinic Note (CN30), printing only page 2 – the meeting note sheet, and give both sheets to the person handling the clinic, in good time in advance of the meeting.
If they do not have it, please do the Clinic Note, print both pages, and ask the person to fill in the first sheet before passing the attorney both sheets for the meeting.
Please make sure that the attorney has completed the file notes on the case files as soon as possible after the meeting, so that a follow-up date can be established, or the file closed.
Last Updated on 30 March 2022 by Keith