01Who will be responsible for the work?

Ask for the name of the lawyer responsible for your matter, the organisation you would engage and the role of each person involved. Clarify which countries' matters the proposed team can handle and whether another local lawyer would be needed. Ask how you can verify the relevant professional registration.

  • Who is my main contact, and who supervises the work?
  • Would I engage any additional lawyer separately, and how would responsibilities be divided?

02What does the proposed scope include?

Describe the task you want completed and ask for a clear explanation of the proposed deliverables. An initial discussion, a document review and ongoing representation are different types of work. Clarify what is included, what is excluded and what would require a separate agreement.

  • What information do you need before accepting the work?
  • What are the expected stages, dependencies and dates, and which estimates may change?

03How will fees and other costs be explained?

Ask whether the proposed fee is fixed, hourly or calculated another way, and in which currency it will be billed. Request an explanation of any advance payment and how it will be accounted for. Discuss expenses such as translation, travel or another professional's work before they arise.

  • Does the estimate include applicable taxes and third-party costs?
  • When will I receive invoices, and how will additional expenditure or changes to the estimate be agreed?

04How will we communicate and exchange information?

Agree on the main language, contact channel and time zone for routine communication. Ask how urgent messages should be marked and what response times are realistic. If interpretation or translation is needed, clarify who arranges it, who checks the result and how the cost is handled.

  • How should I provide personal information and documents?
  • Who will receive updates, and how will important instructions and decisions be recorded?

05How does the engagement begin, change or end?

Read the proposed written terms and ask about anything unclear before agreeing. Discuss how changes in scope would be recorded and how either side would raise a concern. Clarify what happens to outstanding tasks, costs and your documents if the work finishes or you decide to change advisers.

  • What confirms that the engagement has started?
  • At completion, what summary, documents or handover information will I receive?

General preparation guidance. This page does not determine legal rights, deadlines or which law applies.