Chapter 3- Consultation, Legal Rep., Demand And Prescription Flashcards
What preliminary questions must the attorney ask when taking on a new client? -4 points
1) Does your client have a valid cause of action;
2) Does your client have the necessary locus standi in the matter;
3) Does it fall in the particular jurisdiction of your area;
4) Has the claim prescribed.
In deciding whether to represent a respective litigant, what circumstances will an attorney have to consider? - 4 points
1) Whether he may act on behalf of the client;
2) Whether to proceed by action or application;
3) Whether to appoint an advocate in the matter;
4) The cost implications of the proceedings.
In the first consultation, what does the 4 stage process consist of? - 4 points
- Stage 1: Introduction/meet & greet
- Stage 2: Listening
- Stage 3: Questioning
- Stage 4: Advice
What does Stage 1 consist of? -4 points
Intro/ meet and greet:
- Be punctual
- Introduce yourself to the client
- Put your client at ease
- Ensure that their is mutual respect
- Explain to the client from the outset the purpose and reason for consultation.
What does stage 2 consist of?
Listening!!! This is the most NB of the stages, listen to your client and don’t interrupt.
What does stage 3 consist of? Check list- 5 points
Questioning: the checklist is as follows-
- Facts: get all the facts of the case.
- Cause of action: det. exactly the best cause of action for your client.
- Locus Standi: det. whether your client has the sufficient locus standi in the matter.
- Jurisdiction: det. where to list an action.
- Dates: determine the prescription periods in respect of claim.
What does stage 4 of the first consultation consist of? - 4 points
Advice: NB- NEVER PROVIDE ANY GUARANTEES!!!
- Advise the client if you require further time to research their case;
- Give an outline of advice/options available to your client;
- Use plain and understandable language;
- Construct a letter outlining for your client.
After your first consultation, what must you include in the letter for your client? - 4 points
Your letter must include:
- The facts of the case;
- Application of law;
- Conclusion/result
- Recommend to your client the best cause of action.
What must the attorney take into account during a first consultation with a client? -3 points
- Never overstate the merits of your client’s case;
- Be honest about merits of his case;
- Under promise and over deliver.
After the first consultation with a client, what duties does an attorney have? - 3 points
- Continue taking instructions from your client;
- Continually interact and communicate with the client;
- Mandate.
What are the administrative arrangements that the attorney must make? -5 points
1) FICA
2) Fees
3) Open a file
4) Mandate letter
5) Manage file properly
What does it mean that you need to FICA your clients?
The Financial Intelligence Centre Act requires that you know your client (KYC), which includes confirming a client’s identity and residential address.
When making arrangements with a client regarding your fees, what must an attorney do? -3 points.
- Discuss the possible cost implications with your client sooner rather than later;
- It is customary to obtain a deposit in order to cover the initial costs;
- With regards to invoicing, explain your invoicing arrangement with the client.
When opening a file for your client, what must the file include? -7 points
- 1) The file must contain all documents in the matter;
- 2) Put the names of the parties on front cover;
- 3) An account number should be allocated to the client;
- 4) All the info on the matter;
- 5) Draw up columns on inside and outside pages so that all info is in chronological order, or use an electronic system;
- 6) Categorize different folders into sub folders;
- 7) Diarise all NB dates such as the prescription time of the claim, and write these dates at the front of the file.
What must the mandate letter addressed to your client include?
-4 points
It must confirm:
- Terms and conditions
- The mandate of the attorney
- All the fee arrangements
- Instructions and strategy
How must an attorney manage the clients file properly? -5 points
- Take instructions
- Keep client informed
- Keep the file neat
- Proper practice management- store in one place
- File all your notes on the case
What happens when an attorney’s mandate is terminated?
Retention/lien- an attorney has the right to hold onto his own documents in respect of the client’s case until full payment has been made. However he must hand over all of the documents that were given to him by the client.
What is the cornerstone of SA law of civil procedure?
The principle of legal representation.
Is the right to legal representation entrenched in the Constitution?
Yes, it is entrenched in s35(2) and (3) of the Constititution.
What is the relationship between a client and attorney?
It is one of representation by agency, and it is governed by the law of agency.
What are the 2 kinds of power of attorney that an attorney may request, and what does it do?
1) Special power of attorney- this is requested in order to establish the attorney’s mandate, but such a power of attorney is not obligatory, except when commencing on appeal.
2) General power of attorney- this grants an agent a general mandate to conduct all legal acts on behalf of the principal.