How legal work begins
Clarity should arrive before commitment.
Prepare the facts, verify the provider and agree scope, people, costs and communication before work begins.
A responsible sequence
An enquiry is not the same as an accepted instruction.
A legal provider normally needs enough information to identify the matter, run conflict and identity checks, assess capability and capacity, and decide whether it can act. Sensitive documents should be sent only through an agreed route.
The client should receive written information explaining the legal entity, responsible people, scope, likely stages, costs, assumptions, communication and complaints process before relying on an engagement.
Before contact
Organise the useful facts, not an uncontrolled document dump.
Summarise the matter in plain language, then list the people, organisations, dates, documents, known deadlines and immediate objective. State any uncertainty and what information is missing.
Do not include passwords, bank credentials, children's detailed information, special-category data or privileged advice in an initial unverified form.
Provider checks
Verify identity and regulatory status independently.
Check the provider and individual professionals on the relevant official register. Compare the website's legal entity, office, contact and regulatory details with the register, and be alert to copied websites or changed payment instructions.
Use the contact details shown on the official record when anything about identity, payment instructions or a change of bank details feels unexpected.
Written engagement
Scope should identify both the work and the exclusions.
The engagement information should explain the objective, stages, responsible person, supervision, client responsibilities, communication, cost basis, third-party payments and what is not included. Tax, financial, valuation or technical advice should not be assumed.
Ask how changes in facts or scope will be approved and priced, and which events could affect the estimate or timetable.
During and after the matter
Decisions, money and next actions should stay visible.
Agree how updates will be given, who can authorise decisions and how urgent issues are escalated. Keep copies of key advice, approvals, signed documents and completion information.
At the end, confirm what has been completed, what remains the client's responsibility, how files or originals are stored and whether a future review date is appropriate.
What to organise
A four-stage engagement check
- 01
Triage
Identify the legal route, urgency, jurisdiction and any conflict that may prevent the firm acting.
- 02
Verify
Complete identity and source-of-funds checks through the firm's secure process.
- 03
Written terms
Confirm people, scope, exclusions, assumptions, costs and communication in writing.
- 04
Begin
Rely on work only after acceptance is clear and the next action is assigned.
Questions to clarify
Common questions at this stage.
These answers are general orientation for England and Wales, not advice on a particular matter.
Does sending an enquiry create a solicitor-client relationship?
No. An enquiry is not an instruction to act. Conflict and identity checks, scope, costs and formal acceptance must be completed first. In preview mode, Westmere does not receive the enquiry at all.
Why are identity and source checks needed?
Solicitors have legal and professional obligations around client identity, money and risk. The exact evidence depends on the matter and circumstances.
Should costs be confirmed in writing?
Yes. The basis, scope, assumptions and relevant third-party payments should be clear, with a process for updates if circumstances change.
Official starting points
Check the current source.
These official links support general orientation only. They do not replace advice about a particular matter.
Your next step
Get the legal matter ready for a first legal conversation.
Note the people, dates, key documents and practical outcome. Use an approved secure channel before sharing confidential or identifying information.