Quick answer
Before paying or sending sensitive documents, ask whether the firm can run a conflict check, who would attend the consultation, whether that person handles your type of matter, what the booking includes, which documents are needed, how urgent dates will be triaged, what the fee covers and what you will receive afterwards.
Key takeaways
- Run the conflict check before disclosing the full matter.
- Identify who attends, who advises and who remains responsible.
- Define what the consultation includes and what it will deliver.
- Confirm document limits, secure transfer and urgent-date handling.
- Compare VAT, exclusions and follow-up work, not only the headline fee.
- Obtain clear written acceptance before assuming the firm protects a deadline.
How to use this guide
A booking is not yet a full mandate. Make the purpose of the first meeting explicit: triage, document review, a second opinion, strategy, drafting or representation. The answer determines what you should prepare and whether two firms' consultation prices are actually comparable.
1. Can you check for a conflict before I explain everything?
Give the firm the names of the parties, related entities and practitioners already involved. Ask whether it needs more names before receiving detailed confidential information.
Ask what information the conflict check needs, when completion will be confirmed, whether you should avoid sending the full chronology until then, and what happens to information if the firm cannot act.
Do not omit an opposing company, family member or related transaction because it feels secondary. A late conflict discovery can waste time when a deadline is approaching.
2. Who will attend and who could take responsibility?
Ask for the name and role of the person who will attend. Then ask whether that person would remain responsible if you appoint the firm. Clarify who provides advice, who performs day-to-day work, who supervises delegated work, whether an advocate or outside specialist may be needed, and who is the alternative contact during absence.
Verify the proposed practitioner through the Legal Practice Council public search. The profile-verification guide explains how to separate regulator facts from marketing language.
3. Does the proposed practitioner handle this exact task?
Describe the task, forum and deadline rather than using a broad label. Ask whether the practitioner regularly handles this procedure or transaction, which documents are essential to confirm the route, whether another practice area is likely, and what would cause a referral or declined instruction.
A careful firm may not confirm fit until it sees the trigger document. That caution is more useful than an immediate promise that “we handle everything”. Use the correct-lawyer guide if the practice area is uncertain.
4. What exactly does the consultation include?
Ask the firm to distinguish listening to an initial summary, reading documents before the meeting, identifying deadlines and forum, giving oral preliminary advice, producing a written advice note, drafting or reviewing a document, and planning a larger mandate.
Confirm the duration and the number or length of documents included. Ask what happens if a proper answer requires further research. A low consultation fee may cover only intake; a higher fee may include substantial preparation and a written deliverable.
5. What should I send, and through which channel?
Ask for a short document list and secure upload route. Start with the trigger document, chronology and deadline. Do not send originals, passwords or complete unfiltered message exports unless requested through a suitable channel.
Confirm accepted file formats, any page limit, when documents must arrive for pre-reading, whether irrelevant identity and banking details should be redacted, and how receipt will be acknowledged.
The document-preparation guide provides a focused pack that can be used across shortlisted firms.
6. How will a deadline or urgent risk be handled?
Tell the firm the exact date and how you learned of it. Ask whether the booking is soon enough for the firm to assess the position and whether a separate urgent instruction is required.
Do not assume that an online calendar slot means the firm has accepted responsibility for a court date or filing. Ask for express confirmation. If the firm cannot assist in time, request a prompt answer so that you can contact another provider or official service.
Use the urgent-help guide when delay could make the position harder to reverse.
7. What is the fee, and what is excluded?
Before payment, ask whether VAT and pre-reading are included, whether follow-up questions or a written note are included, which searches or external expenses are separate, whether the booking can be moved, whether the fee is credited against later work and what rate applies if the meeting runs over.
Ask for the answer in writing. The fees-and-scope guide helps compare quotes that use different charging models.
8. What will I leave the consultation with?
Agree on the expected output. It might be a list of missing information, a provisional issue and forum classification, confirmed urgent dates, options and material risks, a proposed first phase, or a written fee and scope proposal.
Do not expect a guaranteed outcome. The useful result is a clearer decision, not false certainty. Ask whether the firm will confirm the next step and responsible person by email.
9. How will communication work if I appoint the firm?
Ask about the ordinary reporting channel, acknowledgement time, progress updates, urgent contact route and who answers billing questions. Confirm whether instructions given by messaging app are accepted or must be repeated through another channel.
For a team matter, ask when work moves between practitioners and how supervision is recorded. For a sole practice, ask about continuity during leave or illness. These are service-design questions, not assumptions about quality.
10. What must happen before the firm is formally appointed?
Ask whether further identity checks, source-of-funds information, a deposit, a signed mandate or acceptance letter are required. Confirm the exact event that means the firm has accepted the instruction.
Do not treat a calendar confirmation, invoice or friendly preliminary conversation as proof that the firm is on record or protecting a deadline. Keep the existing matter moving until written acceptance and responsibilities are clear.
FAQs
Is a booking confirmation the same as appointing the firm?
No. It usually confirms a meeting. Ask what mandate, identity, payment and written-acceptance steps are required before the firm accepts responsibility.
Should I ask for a free consultation?
Ask what any advertised consultation includes. A free intake call, paid document review and written opinion are different services and should not be compared as though they are identical.
Can I send confidential documents before a conflict check?
Ask the firm first. Provide the names needed for the conflict check and follow its intake instructions before sending detailed confidential material.
What if the firm cannot see me before the deadline?
Ask for a prompt confirmation that it cannot assist in time, then contact another appropriate practitioner or official advice route. Do not let the calendar booking delay urgent action.
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Source notes
Legal note
This article is general legal information for South African readers. It is not legal advice. Speak to a qualified legal professional about your specific facts before taking action.