A legal consultation is more useful when the main documents are prepared in a simple order. The file does not need to be perfect before the first discussion. It is important to start with the document that triggered the issue and with a short chronology.
A short chronology and the main document are often more useful at the beginning than a large number of unorganised files.
Start with the document that triggered the issue
Usually, the most important document is the one that created the question or urgency: a summons, a garnishment, a statement of claim, a dismissal decision, a notice, an administrative act or a contract that is about to be signed.
- court summons or statement of claim
- summons, garnishment or enforcement documents
- dismissal decision
- payment notice or request
- administrative act or reply from an authority
- contract or draft contract
Add the documents that explain the background
One document alone does not always tell the whole story. Contracts, annexes, payments, messages, notices and replies explain how the situation developed and what should be checked.
A short chronology is very useful
A long memorandum is not necessary. A chronology of a few lines helps a lot: when the situation started, what was signed, what was paid, what was received and what date follows.
A useful example would be: “The contract was signed in March. Partial payment was made in April. In June I received a notice. In August I received court documents.”
Deadlines should be mentioned from the beginning
If there is a hearing date, a deadline, a recent communication or a document received by post, this information should be mentioned from the beginning. Dates often change the way documents are reviewed.
How to send the documents
For an initial review, documents may be sent as PDFs or clear photographs. It is important that the pages are complete, legible and grouped logically.
- one PDF or folder with the main documents
- a separate document with proof of payments, if any
- a short chronology
- the relevant deadlines
- the objective pursued
What does not help
Incomplete photographs, fragments of documents without context or very general descriptions do not help. Hiding details that may seem unfavourable also makes the review more difficult.
The purpose of preparation
Preparing the documents is not a formality. It helps identify the central document, the relevant dates, the available evidence and the information that still needs to be clarified.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to have all documents before the consultation?
No. The review can start with the documents available, and then it can be seen which other documents are needed.
Can I send photographs of documents?
Yes, if they are clear, complete and readable. For longer documents, PDF format is preferable.
Is the envelope important?
Yes, in some situations the envelope or proof of service may help establish the date on which the document was received.
What if I do not know which document matters?
Send the document that triggered the issue and a short chronology. From those, it can be seen what else needs to be checked.
Informational note
The information on this page is general. A legal conclusion depends on the specific documents, the dates of service, the deadlines and the context of each situation.