Legals in the Mountains
Costs are always an issue and perhaps John’s legal skills have to be applied to be at all times “cost conscious" but still achieve a result.
Not an easy task in many cases.
John’s basic legal approach with any matter is to -
”First assess your legal position” -
This will involve full and proper Client Statements, Chronology, and Conference.Then launch “a course of action no matter what happens”.
This may involve commencing proceedings by filing an “Application” or possibility a Statement of Claim”.
Most people are quite frightened of this step, initially, as they don’t want the cost of a “Court case”.
This technique is actually to AVOID costly Court proceedings - see step 3!Thirdly, then go in “hard and early” and endeavour to settle the matter.
The Client Story - A Written Statement
Many clients wish to talk to a Solicitor, even over the phone, and have everything resolved.
Then having had the conversation a $ cheque floats from the ceiling down into their lap.
It just doesn’t happen like that.
The way to save legal fees is to get the client to write out their story.
A very essential part of this program is to get the clients into a full and proper story, a written statement, as to what has happened.
They then are advised to think about it for a few days and add to the story - something is always forgotten and most Statements can be improved given a little time and thought.
Every paragraph should then begin with an approximate date.
Key conversations should also be written like a “Shakespeare play”.
For example… I said “Alas you should go and jump in the lake!”.
I said in reply “no it’s your turn - and you still owe me money…”