Legal English Client Interviews

SOME ASPECTS OFTEN ESSENTIAL FOR A SUCCESSFUL CLIENT TALK OR INTERVIEW:

1. Explain the procedure to the client
2. Recognize what the client needs
3. Get the information needed to consider how the client’s goals can be achieved
4. Provide trust, professional competence, professionalism and commitment to the case
5. Expiry of the client conversation
6. A professional client exchange should have a logical structure without being too rigid. However, a certain routine approach can be helpful to achieve a certain degree of confidence while at the same time delivering professionalism. At the very least, good client discussions require a pleasant conversation atmosphere and the necessary empathy.

THE 3 MAIN PHASES OF THE CLIENT TALK OR INTERVIEW:

1. Listening: Receiving information and analyzing the case
2. Asking questions: eliminating ambiguities
3. Consulting: giving legal assistance and professional advice
4. It is almost impossible to give competent advice before receiving all initial information required. Listening is not necessarily easy for many people because it requires patience, empathy and analytical competence to adequately evaluate nonverbal and verbal communication.

ASKING QUESTIONS

Often, clients present relevant information in a disordered and incoherent way. Inquiries are necessary to clarify uncertainties in advance.[1] By briefly repeating central aspects and discussion contents, the lawyer has the additional possibility to reinsure himself.[2]

CONSULTATION

The last phase is the most important; the client has not only asked a lawyer to clarify his situation. Initially, he also wants a professional assessment and advice. This assessment will enable him to decide whether further legal steps are useful. Particularly at this point is psychological sensitivity, as clients certainly do not want to feel that the lawyer would sell them their services without regard for losses. Authenticity and honesty are essential to gain the confidence of the client.

FURTHER TIPS AND HINTS FOR A SUCCESSFUL CLIENT TALK OR INTERVIEW

1. Simply explain the facts
2. Use specialist terminology sparingly; for reasons of comprehensibility
3. Ensure a pleasant conversation atmosphere
4. Clients encourage your point of view and your views
5. Reflect the conversation content
6. Ask for clarity when needed
7. Brief summary of the central conversation content
8. Give clients the opportunity to ask questions, eliminate doubts or express fears
9. Present and discuss options
10. Illustrate solutions, so that there are possibilities for selection
11. Explain further procedures in detail
12. Showing empathy and understanding of the client’s personal situation. [3]