Understanding the facts
You explain what happened, the people or organisations involved, relevant dates and what outcome or assistance you are seeking.
Fees & consultations
Understand the consultation before you book.
A consultation is an opportunity to discuss your legal circumstances, identify the issues that matter and consider the appropriate next step.
What is a consultation fee?
Start with clarityA consultation fee is a charge for the professional time spent discussing and assessing a legal matter. It is separate from the cost of carrying out legal work that may be agreed after the consultation.
The purpose of the consultation is to establish the relevant facts, identify the legal issues, explain possible next steps and determine what further information or documentation may be required.
Important distinction
Consultation ≠ quotation
A consultation concerns professional advice and assessment. A quotation or fee estimate concerns the cost of specific legal work, where the scope of that work can be identified.
What can a consultation cover?
Depending on your matterIdentifying legal issues
The attorney can identify the main legal issues raised by the information available and explain what additional information may be needed.
Discussing options
Where appropriate, the consultation can cover possible courses of action, practical considerations, risks and further steps.
Planning the next step
If further legal work is required, the firm can discuss the proposed scope of work, applicable fees and documentation needed.
Consultation fee vs quotation
Know what you're paying for| Consultation fee | Quotation / fee estimate |
|---|---|
| Usually relates to professional time spent discussing and assessing the matter. | Relates to proposed legal work once the scope can be identified. |
| Can help establish what legal assistance may be required. | Can set out the anticipated cost of specified work. |
| May be appropriate before the full scope of the matter is known. | Is more meaningful when the required work and assumptions are sufficiently clear. |
| Does not necessarily include future legal work. | Should be read together with the applicable fee arrangement and terms. |
Before booking
What should you prepare?
You do not need to have everything perfectly organised. A short timeline and the key facts can be a useful starting point.
- Important dates and deadlines
- Names of the relevant people or organisations
- A short summary of what happened
- What you want help with
- Any letters, notices or court/CCMA documents relevant to the issue
- Your main questions for the attorney
What happens afterwards?
The consultation is not the end of the process.
Depending on the matter, the next step may involve further investigation, correspondence, drafting, negotiations, litigation, conveyancing, estate administration or another form of legal work.
Where further work is proposed, the applicable scope and fee arrangement should be discussed before that work proceeds.
Read the Legal FAQs →Fee information
Ask about the applicable consultation fee before booking.
Consultation fees can depend on the nature of the matter and the professional services required. The firm can confirm the applicable fee and arrangements before the consultation is finalised.
Important information
Please readInitial enquiries: Sending an enquiry or requesting a consultation does not by itself create an attorney-client relationship. An attorney-client relationship arises only when the relevant professional relationship and engagement are established.
Fees: The information on this page is general. The applicable fee, scope of work, VAT where applicable, disbursements and other terms should be confirmed with the firm for the specific matter.
Urgent matters: If you have an imminent court appearance, arrest, prescription/deadline issue or other urgent legal concern, contact the firm directly rather than relying solely on an online enquiry.
Privacy: Please avoid sending highly sensitive information through an initial website enquiry. See the Privacy & Website Notice for more information.