Loading
Loading page.
Client Document PackLegal ServicesMedium
Attorney Complaint Preparation Pack
Prepare a legal services document pack by organising identity, authority, core matter records, official records, correspondence, financial records, deadline notes, and fee questions.
Time to prepare1-4 hours
Before you contact a lawyer
0/3 completedNeed help with this checklist?
Get support from a lawyer who works with legal services matters.
Before the consultation
0/5 completedDuring the consultation
0/3 completedAfterwards
0/3 completedWhen It Applies
You need a clean legal services document pack before a first consultation.
Clients, beneficiaries, consumers, businesses, and complainants preparing questions about a possible complaint against an attorney or law firm need mandates, invoices, correspondence, file requests, trust-money records, and outcome records organised.
Not For
- Drafting legal documents, choosing a legal route, or making binding decisions without tailored advice.
Documents
- Mandate letter
- Fee agreement
- Invoices
- Statements
- Payment proof
- Trust-account records
- Correspondence
- File-request records
- Identity records
- Authority records
- Official records
- Financial records
- Correspondence
- Question list
Timeline
- Before consultation: collect identity, authority, core matter, official, and money records.
- During review: confirm controlling records, missing documents, and next route.
- Afterwards: save final versions and calendar next dates.
- Ongoing: update the document index as records change.
Tips
- Send documents in date order.
- Keep draft and final versions separate.
- Name who has authority to instruct the lawyer.
- Ask what can be handled remotely and what needs original documents.
Warning Signs
- Authority to sign or instruct is unclear.
- An official deadline or filing date is close.
- Records conflict with each other.
- A document is being pushed for urgent signature.
Official sources
- Legal Practice Council complaintsAttorney complaint route context.
- Legal Practice Act 28 of 2014Legal-practitioner regulation context.
- Legal Practice Council Code of ConductProfessional-conduct and client-cost context.
- Legal Practice Council list of legal practitionersPractitioner verification context.
This checklist is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice.
Speak to a Lawyer