What to discuss at the first meeting
Identify the operator, aircraft, regulatory body and task. A regulatory response, transaction, insurance issue and incident investigation are different engagements.
Confirm responsibilities for any immediate regulatory dates and evidence requests.
Working with a firm in Northern Rivers
For matters involving Tweed Heads and Queensland, ask about cross-border experience. A nearby office is not enough to establish whether a lawyer can advise on property, proceedings or a business on the other side of the border.
For aviation 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 Northern Rivers. Your home address alone does not determine the applicable process.
How the engagement may progress
- 01
Provide the agreement, notice or receiving authority’s instructions. Explain the objective and any international connection.
- 02
Ask about comparable work, professional qualifications and coordination with technical advisers. For certification, confirm exactly what the receiving organisation requires.
- 03
Agree on the deliverable, whether a document, opinion, negotiation, regulatory response or representation. Record assumptions and exclusions.
Fees and the scope of work
Identify charges for technical reviews, reports, translations, certification and external professionals. These may sit outside a standard consultation.
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
Supply regulatory, transaction and overseas receiving dates. Ask about external processing time rather than treating an appointment as completion.
Questions to ask a aviation law adviser
- What aviation-specific expertise will handle this?
