* No legal advice is provided until engagement is complete.
* I am not a legal aid barrister, I am private counsel - however I will consider acting on legal aid for criminal proceeds and search and surveillance type case. If you need legal aid, please find legal aid barristers at this link here: https://www2.justice.govt.nz/find-a-legal-aid-lawyer/
* I recommend Community Law Centres as being a good first point of call also: https://communitylaw.org.nz/
* I am not a legal aid barrister, I am private counsel - however I will consider acting on legal aid for criminal proceeds and search and surveillance type case. If you need legal aid, please find legal aid barristers at this link here: https://www2.justice.govt.nz/find-a-legal-aid-lawyer/
* I recommend Community Law Centres as being a good first point of call also: https://communitylaw.org.nz/
HOW ENGAGEMENT HAPPENS
Simplified engagement process for 2023
1. You enquire directly with me, or, you direct your solicitor to enquire with me about your particular legal dispute or issue. I am approved to take direct instructions.
2. I have a free telephone consultation with you (approx 15-30 minutes). It is helpful for you to send me any key documents beforehand so that I may have a brief perusal.
3. If I think I can assist you, I will tell you this, and provide you with my ordinary hourly rate for that particular kind of matter, and what kind of initial retainer may be required.
*If I don't think I can assist you, I will provide a recommendation to you as to which barrister I think may be able to help you or I will direct you to search for a specific type of barrister. If I think your matter is better handled by a law firm of solicitors, I will recommend a firm to you.*
5. If you are agreeable to my hourly rate, I will then send you a Proposal for Engagement which will set out my terms, conditions, and fees for your matter. These are the only terms and conditions upon which I can be engaged.
6. Once you have taken some time to review my Proposal for Engagement, and agree with the terms, conditions, and fees, you can then sign the last page and return to me via email, or indicate your acceptance in writing via email.
7. If I have told you your matter requires a solicitor at the outset, then you may be asked to pay an initial retainer to the solicitor's trust account. The solicitor can be one of your choosing, or I can nominate a solicitor myself.
8. Once any retainer or fixed fee is paid and the Proposal for Engagement is signed, we can get to work.
2. I have a free telephone consultation with you (approx 15-30 minutes). It is helpful for you to send me any key documents beforehand so that I may have a brief perusal.
3. If I think I can assist you, I will tell you this, and provide you with my ordinary hourly rate for that particular kind of matter, and what kind of initial retainer may be required.
*If I don't think I can assist you, I will provide a recommendation to you as to which barrister I think may be able to help you or I will direct you to search for a specific type of barrister. If I think your matter is better handled by a law firm of solicitors, I will recommend a firm to you.*
5. If you are agreeable to my hourly rate, I will then send you a Proposal for Engagement which will set out my terms, conditions, and fees for your matter. These are the only terms and conditions upon which I can be engaged.
6. Once you have taken some time to review my Proposal for Engagement, and agree with the terms, conditions, and fees, you can then sign the last page and return to me via email, or indicate your acceptance in writing via email.
7. If I have told you your matter requires a solicitor at the outset, then you may be asked to pay an initial retainer to the solicitor's trust account. The solicitor can be one of your choosing, or I can nominate a solicitor myself.
8. Once any retainer or fixed fee is paid and the Proposal for Engagement is signed, we can get to work.