Selection begins with fit: the type and stage of the matter, clarity of scope and fees, and the lawyer’s ability to explain risk before action.
Seven practical criteria
- Licence and professional identity: verify the name, licence and official contact details.
- Relevant experience: corporate work is not the same as criminal defence or inheritance.
- Attention to facts: predicting a result before reading the documents is unsafe.
- Clear scope: know which stages the fee includes and excludes.
- Strategy: understand the options, risks and next step.
- Communication: agree how updates will be provided and who follows the file.
- No false guarantees: a responsible lawyer does not guarantee a court outcome.
Questions to ask before engagement
Has counsel handled this type of matter? Which documents are missing? What is the nearest procedure? What are the risks? How are scope and fees documented? Clear answers matter more than broad claims.