What to discuss at the first meeting
Describe the conduct, goods or service and whether you are the customer or business. Provide the advertisement, terms and correspondence rather than relying on a broad label such as unfair conduct.
Ask which aspects require individual advice; regulator information is not a promise that it will resolve a private dispute.
Working with a firm in Newcastle & Hunter
Newcastle and the wider Hunter cover city, suburban and regional settings. If your issue involves a business, workplace or rural property, describe the activity and ownership structure rather than simply asking for a general lawyer.
For competition & consumer law, ask which parts of the work the firm handles itself and whether it has relevant NSW experience. Let the lawyer know if a property, employer, other party or existing proceeding is outside Newcastle & Hunter. Your home address alone does not determine the applicable process.
How the engagement may progress
Explain the transaction, amount involved, parties and desired result. Provide the current agreement and relevant entity or trust details.
Ask which risks need legal, accounting, tax or technical advice. Identify essential terms and those you are willing to negotiate.
Agree who negotiates, approves documents and tracks continuing obligations. Clarify whether post-completion advice is included.
Fees and the scope of work
Request a defined scope or staged budget with assumptions about document review and negotiation rounds. Personal guarantees, tax and related disputes may need separate work.
Ask for a written scope identifying the work you are authorising, the person responsible and when costs will be reviewed. If you only want advice on one step, say so before the firm begins wider work.
Dates to raise at first contact
Highlight signing dates, finance conditions and demands. Raise an inability to meet debts immediately so appropriate advice can be identified before further commitments.
Questions to ask a competition & consumer law adviser
- Which remedy or compliance issue is being assessed?