By Talk to a Lawyer · Published 20 September 2026 · 3 minute read
A remote appointment can reduce travel, but it still needs a clear purpose and a suitable place to speak. Prepare the same issue list and relevant records you would bring to an office. Then plan the extra practical details: the call link, privacy, document access, communication support and what to do if the connection fails.
Confirm what the appointment includes
Ask whether the booking is an intake discussion or a paid advice appointment, how long it lasts and whether document review is included. Tell the office about an urgent date before accepting a routine slot. Confirm the adviser and the time zone in writing.
Find out which application or browser is required and whether you need an account. Use the link supplied through the confirmed office channel. If another person will join, ask about their role and any confidentiality or instruction issues before the call starts.
Arrange a place where you can participate
Choose a space where you can hear, speak and read documents without being overheard where possible. Headphones help with sound but do not make a shared room private. Tell the office if a safe or private space is difficult to arrange.
Request an interpreter, captions or other communication support in advance. Explain what works for you rather than assuming the video platform provides every adjustment. Ask whether a telephone appointment or an in-person meeting would be more suitable for part of the discussion.
Make the document handover simple
Ask the office which documents it wants before the meeting and how to send them securely. Use clear filenames and keep the same versions available to you. A short index helps both people refer to the same page without spending the appointment searching through email attachments.
Keep a paper or offline note of the main questions and dates in case the screen is occupied by documents. Do not assume screen sharing sends a permanent copy. Confirm whether the adviser has received the material needed to complete the agreed review.
Agree the close and the backup plan
Before the call, identify a number to use if the connection drops and agree who will call whom. During the appointment, ask for clarification when sound or terminology is unclear rather than guessing. Ask permission before recording; do not assume a recording is part of the service.
End by confirming the advice still needed, the next action, the person responsible and the cost of follow-up. Request an accessible written summary if useful, and check how corrections to your factual account should be supplied.
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A preparation aid, not confirmation that a legal requirement is complete.
Common questions
Is video advice different from an office appointment?
The practical format differs, but you still need to confirm the service, the adviser and the scope. Some tasks may require different arrangements; ask what can be completed remotely and what cannot.
Can I invite a family member?
Ask the office in advance. Clarify whether the person is there for support, interpretation or another role, and allow the adviser to explain privacy and instruction arrangements.
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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