Interview and advising - client care

Question 1

What are the two things that you need to ensure your firm has done before interview a client?

Answer 1

1. The necessary conflict checks
2. identity checking
3. customer due diligence for anti-money laundering purposes

Question 2

What information do you need to make sure your clients are given during the interview?

Answer 2

1. the cost of legal services
2. responsibility for clients’ matters; and
3. the firm’s complaints handling procedure.

Question 3

What is party/party costs?

Answer 3

If a litigant wins their case, they may obtain an order from the court to recover all or part of their legal costs from the unsuccessful party at the end of the case.

Question 4

What does a claim with a value of £10,000 or less mean relating to the legal costs?

Answer 4

It will be classed as ‘small claims’ by the court which means that in most cases, the court will not order that legal costs should be reimbursed.

This will need to be factored in when conducting any cost benefit analysis at the outset of the case.

Question 5

What do you have to tell a client in a cost benefit analysis?

Answer 5

You should tell your client it will not be economic for them to pursue the matter.

If it is a matter which involves a dispute with a third party you should discuss whether mediation or ADR may be more appropriate than litigation.

Question 6

What information about the team dealing with the case should you give to the client?

Answer 6

1. You should confirm you status and that of the person who will dealing with the matter.
2. You also need to give the name of the principal who will have overall supervision of the matter.

Question 7

What do you have to remind your client of relating to the complaints handling procedure.

Answer 7

You should remind your client in the client care letter that they have a right to complain and how complaints should be made and any right they have to make a complaint to the Legal Ombudsman.