By Talk to a Lawyer · Published 20 September 2026 · General preparation information
Start with the incident or condition, when it occurred and the scheme, insurer or organisation already involved. An injury at work, a road incident, a treatment concern and an insurance dispute may follow different pathways. Describe the facts without trying to choose the legal label yourself. Keep the treatment record, claim correspondence and employment or expense records relevant to the issue.
Three distinctions to make first
Decision 01
A new enquiry or an existing decision?
Explain whether you are considering a claim, responding to a request, reviewing a decision or assessing an offer. Bring the complete notice and its date. Ask what options need to be considered now and whether any other scheme or policy is relevant.
Decision 02
What is known and what evidence is missing?
Separate documents you hold from records a provider would need to request. Identify the treating professionals, relevant workplaces and insurers. Ask who obtains reports, how they are paid for and what authority you are being asked to give.
Decision 03
What does the funding agreement actually cover?
If conditional fees are offered, ask about professional fees, reports, external expenses, possible other-party costs and ending the engagement. Compare written terms for the same stage. A headline such as no win, no fee does not explain every potential cost.
Prepare for a useful appointment
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A preparation aid, not confirmation that a legal requirement is complete.
Compare the work, not just the price
Compare injury and insurance services using the actual claim stage and proposed funding agreement. Ask whether direct applications, free support or scheme-specific assistance are available. If conditional fees are offered, read how professional fees, reports, external expenses and termination are handled. An advertised outcome or a no-win-no-fee label does not explain the evidence required or every possible cost.
- Initial assessment
- Ask which scheme or policy is being considered, what evidence is missing and whether the first review creates any fee or report commitment.
- Evidence and claim work
- Confirm who requests records and experts, how costs are approved and whether the service includes responses to further information requests or insurer decisions.
- Offer or dispute
- Ask how an offer is explained, what deductions or releases require consideration and whether complaints, reviews or proceedings are included in the agreed scope.
Understand legal fees and written quotes →
Leave with an agreed next step
Ask for an explanation of the proposed first stage before authorising reports or other spending. If an offer is being considered, request a clear account of what acceptance would resolve, what deductions apply and which related issues need separate advice.