Costs - Conflict Check - ID - Speaking to a Lawyer
How much will it cost me?
The total time thus the total cost of the legal process to resolve a dispute is often unpredictable because there are so many factors involved especially the fact that all disputes involve more than one party and each party has the same legal rights and obligations. Before making a decision on a disputed issue, the court wants to hear from all parties thus the total time is unpredictable thus the total cost cannot be known in advance. An accurate cost estimate is only possible if the task is very specific and does not involve choices by opposing parties nor the court, like only asking your car mechanic for an oil change. For example, the court can reject applications or adjourn hearings such as a lack of court time, let alone the opposing party adding complications or changes.
When you have a dispute involving other people then the time involved can vary with what the opposing party does in addition to your own tactics and strategies to solve the dispute. Naturally, the cost varies with the time required similar to adding requests to your car mechanic eg fix the transmission or a tuneup in addition to the simple oil change.
We understand legal services can be costly and that our clients do not want to be surprised with large bills. We offer DIY Support Services in addition to Traditional full-service Retainers to allow our clients to control their legal costs.
Why do you need to do a conflict check and what is it?
There is an old saying: "once a client, always a client". Thus, even if it is decades later, a lawyer cannot act against a former client, which is enforced by Law Society rules. To prevent conflicts, every lawyer will search their database when asked by anyone for help to confirm there is not a conflict. We search for both your name and any Opposing party in our database to make sure we have not worked on a legal matter involving the opposing party that would create a conflict in representing you for your current legal matter.
Why do you need my ID?
The Law Society of BC requires that the identity of their clients is verified. Just like every professional, a lawyer is obligated to know his or her client, to understand the client's financial dealings in relation to the retainer, and to manage any risks arising from the professional business relationship with the client. Similarly, when you go to a Bank or a Doctor you are required to show ID and, of course, clarify how you will pay for the services. For example, a medical clinic will ask for your MSP card for two reasons:
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Your ID = who you are for the medical system to track your records and related costs; and
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to confirm your GP will be paid for the doctor's consultation.
If you are not registered with MSP like visitors to Canada then the patient would need to provide both ID eg a passport plus a credit card to verify who they are and payment.
What ID can I use?
We require 2 valid pieces of Government Issued ID, with one piece of ID having a photo. It is now easy and convenient to verify ID by using an online link you will be sent.
Acceptable ID includes:
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Passport
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Nexus Card
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BC Services Card (formerly Care Card)
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BC Identification Card
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Driver's License
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Birth Certificate
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Social Insurnace Card
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Permanent Residency Card
Why do I have to wait to speak or meet with my Lawyer?
Like any professional, lawyers are often busy since the demand for help often exceeds availability. Like your Doctor or Dentist, your Lawyer has multiple clients with prior appointments or tasks so your lawyer is not usually available immediately to speak with you. Like your doctor and dentist, appointments are best. Our staff can explain your retainer options then schedule you an appointment to speak with your Lawyer, and answer basic questions about your file such as when your next court date is or if we have received an entered copy of your recent Court document.
To meet all of our client's needs we set aside specific days in the Lawyer's calendar for in-person appointments so that we can leave availability to schedule court appearances in a timely manner. To best assist all of our clients, we offer Phone and Video appointments because, like your doctor, we can offer these types of appointments much sooner than an in-person appointment.
We have helped solve the legal needs of thousands of different people for more than 30 years so we can help you too !
