1. Identify where and what your matter concerns
Choose the country whose law applies and the practice area closest to your needs. A property issue, a family question and a contract review may need different experience. For a cross-border issue, more than one jurisdiction may be relevant. Give a short, non-confidential outline first. Do not post identity documents, client evidence or sensitive personal details in a public profile or enquiry.
2. Review the professional background
Check the lawyer’s title, admitting regulator, jurisdiction and the date of any admission review. A profile marked “admission reviewed” is not a guarantee of competence for every matter, current insurance, a particular court appearance right or a successful outcome. Ask the lawyer to confirm current practising status, relevant experience and any limits. See our review process.
3. Ask for a consultation
Use a client account to send a consultation request where a reviewed profile is available. Explain the decision you need help with and any upcoming deadline without sending the full evidence immediately. The lawyer should first confirm availability, conflicts and whether the matter falls within their permitted practice. If no suitable profile appears, ask us about availability; do not assume that a country selector means a lawyer is already available there.
4. Agree the engagement in writing
- Identify the lawyer or law firm providing the service.
- Confirm jurisdiction, scope, deliverables and what is excluded.
- Agree the fee basis, currency, taxes and external expenses.
- Agree communication arrangements, deadlines and cancellation terms.
- Confirm how documents should be shared and when the engagement starts.
5. Keep a clear record
Use your account’s legal matter, messages and agreed stages to keep track of the engagement. A platform enquiry, automated draft or account registration does not by itself create a lawyer–client relationship. If a deadline is urgent, contact an appropriate practising lawyer directly rather than relying on a pending platform enquiry.