WHAT DO CLIENTS EXPECT FROM A LAWYER? (By Adv. Vikram Singh Brar)

If your lawyer tells you that she/he can secure a favorable order and subsequently guarantees a 100% win in your case, well then, my friend she/he is likely aiming to empty your pockets by offering a false hope of victory, a practice which is sadly very prevalent.

The outcome of a case is never in the hands of a lawyer, what is there in her/his hands is the ability to provide top quality services after countless hours of hard work, which should be endeavor of every lawyer.

What makes your practice as lawyer, different from the rest is your grit and determination to put in everything when push comes to shove.

However, there are certainly a few things which a lawyer should ensure to all her/his clients at the outset of receiving their briefs:

1.  Communication

A lawyer may have numerous cases to handle, but for a client, there is only one case that determines their peace of mind.

What we get to see nowadays is that most lawyers after receiving their fee from their clients at the outset, stop answering their phonecalls which, must to the misfortune of their clients, is highly unethical. A steady flow of communication between a lawyer and her/his clients is quintessential.

2.  No hidden fees

Another contentious issue that client sometimes get to face is the fact that lawyers often begin demanding fees as the case progresses through various miscellaneous applications, without disclosing these costs at the outset. Such practice often creates an apprehension in the minds of clients as to whether their lawyer will contest the case further in the absence of such fees being paid.

3.  Regular updates

It is the duty of a lawyer to regularly update her/his clients about the status of their case on priority basis.

·      What happened on the previous date?

·      When is the next date?

·      What is the plan of action?

are some of the questions which the clients deserve to know as their case progresses.

4.  Drafting and filing the case in a time bound manner

Drafting is an integral part of a lawyer’s practice and they should strive to expedite the same in a time bound manner. One shouldn’t sleep over their briefs for a long period of time thereby testing the patience of a client under some pretext or the other.

Every lawyer is taught about legal ethics in law college but they often forget to apply the same when they start their law practice. It is about time that lawyers start inculcating the habit of being honest and transparent with their clients.