How Lawyers Can Help

The law is part of your daily life and lawyers are trained to guide you through the legal process. A lawyer can help you buy a home, write a will, or sell a business. A lawyer can also help you if you get injured, if you are getting a divorce, or if you are charged with a crime.

You may have a problem that involves legal issues. It may be as simple as collecting a debt that has not been paid, or as complicated as settling your personal injury claim with ICBC after a car accident. A lawyer can give you advice to help you solve your legal problem.

You do not have to be represented by a lawyer to appear in court. But, if you represent yourself in court, you should meet with a lawyer to get legal advice and find out the best way to present your case to the judge.

Legal cases can be complicated, frustrating, and time-consuming. If you have a legal problem, a lawyer can explain the legal issues and how the law applies to your situation. This will help you understand the strengths and weaknesses of your case.

It is a good idea to meet with a lawyer in the early stages, so you know what your legal options are. Even if you have taken steps to solve the problem yourself, you can talk with a lawyer at any step in the legal process.

Hiring a lawyer may be expensive, but it can also save you time and money. If you have a legal problem, getting advice from a lawyer is the best way to be sure your legal rights are protected.

Role of lawyers

Lawyers are highly trained and skilled professionals who can:

  • tell you if you have a legal problem
  • explain the law to you
  • tell you what legal options you have
  • provide information about settling your dispute without going to court
  • protect your legal rights
  • tell you the strengths and weaknesses of your case
  • advise you how a judge might apply the law to the facts of your case

Lawyers can also:

  • represent you in legal matters
  • write legal letters for you
  • deal with the other people involved in the problem
  • negotiate a settlement
  • complete and file court forms
  • start the court process
  • take your case to trial
  • collect money owed to you after you win your case
  • advise you about the possibility of appealing your case after trial
  • take your case to an appeal court

In British Columbia, all lawyers are guided by a professional code of conduct that is enforced by the Law Society of BC. When you hire a lawyer, he or she is required to represent you and be loyal to you alone. All discussions you have with your lawyer are absolutely confidential.

Your lawyer will try to settle your case by negotiating with the other party. If a settlement is not possible, your lawyer may represent you in court. It is the lawyer’s duty to present your case in court, to the best of his or her ability.

How to find a Lawyer

There are some things to consider when choosing a lawyer. You are choosing someone to help you with your legal problem and to be your advocate until the dispute is settled, so look for a lawyer who:

  • has good communication skills;
  • explains the law to you;
  • has been recommended by someone you trust; and
  • has experience with the type of legal problem you have.

You can find a lawyer by contacting a lawyer referral service in your area. For example, the Canadian Bar Association’s BC branch (www.cba.org.bc) can direct you to a lawyer who knows about the law that applies to your case. You can meet with a lawyer for 30 minutes for only $25.

In your first meeting with a lawyer, it is a good idea to think about the meeting like a job interview. As you discuss your problem with the lawyer, you are deciding if he or she is the best choice to represent you.

You may be entitled to government funded Legal Aid or to pro bono (free) legal services. You can learn more about this in this section on Free Legal Services. When you hire a lawyer, you can pay them to do all the work, or you can pay for Unbundled Legal Services.

What to expect from a lawyer

You can expect your lawyer to explain the law to you, as well different options for how to solve the problem without going to court. Your lawyer will give you legal advice, but he or she will not make decisions for you. You must stay involved in your case. You must give your lawyer instructions about how to proceed at every step of the way.

Be sure you understand what the lawyer tells you. If he or she uses a legal term that you do not understand, ask what it means. If you do not understand the lawyer’s advice, you should ask to hear it again. It is always helpful to write down the lawyer’s answers to your questions.

Your lawyer is your advocate. This means that he or she will communicate with the other person or the other person’s lawyer – and that your lawyer will represent your interests. All communications from the other party (such as letters, telephone calls, faxes, and emails) must be directed to your lawyer, not to you. And all communications between you and your lawyer are absolutely confidential.

Your lawyer’s expertise is in resolving legal disputes, not personal problems. Remember to restrict your discussions to the legal issues that concern you.

The next section explains your options when paying for a lawyer.