By Talk to a Lawyer · Published 20 September 2026 · 3 minute read
A useful legal appointment should leave you with more than a collection of notes. Before ending the discussion, separate the advice received from the decisions you still need to make and the actions someone must take. A short written summary can expose misunderstandings early. It also helps you remember which work was included and which requires another instruction or fee.
Repeat the key points in your own words
Ask whether you have understood the main options and the assumptions behind the advice. If the adviser has not seen a document or is waiting for another fact, record that limitation. Do not turn a preliminary view into a firm conclusion in your notes.
Distinguish advice about what you could do from a decision about what you have authorised. If you need time to consider an option or obtain financial or other advice, say so and ask how that fits with any relevant timetable.
Create a task list with named responsibility
For each next step, write the action, who is responsible and the relevant date. “Deal with the letter” is less useful than identifying who drafts it, who approves it and who sends it. Ask what confirmation of completion you should expect.
If a task depends on another document or decision, record the dependency. This helps prevent someone assuming that work is progressing when it is waiting for your instructions. Keep urgent dates visible and clarify who is monitoring them.
Confirm the boundary of the engagement
Ask what follow-up is included in the appointment fee and what requires a new scope or estimate. A written opinion, a call to clarify advice and ongoing negotiations may be treated differently. Understanding that boundary helps you budget and avoids uncertainty about whether work has been accepted.
Agree the usual contact person and communication method. Ask when you should expect an update and what to do if circumstances change before then. A practical update arrangement is more useful than relying on a vague promise to be in touch.
Correct facts and keep the record together
After the appointment, check your notes against the documents. If a factual detail was wrong or incomplete, tell the adviser clearly and promptly through the agreed channel. Explain the correction without silently replacing the earlier account.
Store the advice, engagement documents, task list and relevant records together. If you do not understand a point, ask for clarification before acting on your interpretation. A follow-up question is particularly useful when it identifies the exact sentence or action that remains unclear.
Keep this checklist beside you
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A preparation aid, not confirmation that a legal requirement is complete.
Common questions
Should I ask for written advice?
Ask what written material is included and whether a summary or fuller opinion is appropriate for the task. Clarify the cost and timing rather than assuming every conversation includes a detailed written report.
What if I remember an important fact later?
Tell the adviser promptly, identify the correction and ask whether it changes the advice or next step. Keep the earlier version so the change is clear.
Sources and scope
General appointment preparation, not advice about your individual circumstances. Examples are illustrative, not client case studies. Sources provide further reading; confirm current requirements with the relevant service or adviser.
- Legal Aid NSW: dealing with your lawyer
NSW legal-profession complaints and service issues; other professions have different regulators and rules.
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