Is what I tell you confidential?
Yes. What you tell us for the purpose of obtaining legal advice is confidential, and communications for that purpose are protected by legal professional privilege - a protection that belongs to you, not to us, and that we cannot waive over your head. Speak freely: an opinion built on half the facts is worth half an opinion, and the fact you are most tempted to leave out is usually the one that matters.
Can I use the opinion in court?
Not the way people imagine. An opinion is advice to you, not evidence of the law - a court decides the law for itself and is not bound by what any attorney wrote. Its real work is done before court: telling you whether you have a case, what it is worth and where it is weak, so that you litigate, settle or walk away with your eyes open.
Because the opinion is privileged, the choice to show it to anyone is yours - and showing it can waive the privilege, so take advice before you do. Where a dispute needs an expert's view placed before the court, that is done properly, as evidence, not by handing up an opinion.
Can you advise on a matter another attorney is handling?
Yes. You are entitled to a second opinion, and asking for one is not disloyalty - it is prudence, particularly before a large step like trial or a major settlement. We give the second opinion discreetly, on the papers you bring us, and we do not interfere with your attorney's mandate while doing so.
If the opinion gives you comfort that your matter is on track, that is money well spent. If it does not, the choice of what to do next - raise it with your attorney, or move your file - is entirely yours, and we will tell you plainly which we would do.
What does a written opinion cost?
It is charged on time, and the honest answer is that the figure is only certain once the work is done - some questions unravel quickly, others refuse to. What we can do at the consultation is scope it: what the question is, what must be read, and a fair estimate of the hours before we begin.
How long does it take?
A day to a week, in the ordinary course - depending on the question and on what must be read to answer it responsibly. If it is urgent, say so when you brief us and we will tell you at once whether the deadline can be met properly. What we will not do is meet a deadline by guessing.
Do I have to come to your offices?
We would prefer it. A great deal is lost over email, and these are matters where sitting across a desk from one another makes a real difference. Where the distance genuinely makes that impractical, we consult by video call instead.
Can you advise me by email or WhatsApp?
No. We advise in consultation. A message is the right way to arrange an appointment, but not the right way to receive advice on something this consequential.
What should I bring to the consultation?
Every document that bears on the question, even the ones you think are unimportant. Especially those. If you have nothing, come anyway - it is better to start the conversation than to wait until the file is tidy.
How do I make an appointment?
Telephone 087 133 3595, or send the short form on this site. We will contact you to arrange a date and time.
