Attention all fellow lawyers and self-represented litigants
If you need representation in court, consider the practical and cost effective solution of appointing a ‘solicitor agent’. A solicitor agent who is local to the court in question can represent you and/or your clients competently at an affordable rate, saving your valuable resources of time and money.
If you are a lawyer who is required to appear in a court which is not within your local area, what do you do? Here are some solutions…
You could… chose to not appear!
As most lawyers would know, this is probably the most risky solution for a client – and may in fact be no solution at all. Parties who do not appear in court when they are required face the possibility of the court making a decision in their absence, and result in consequences that are far beyond what the party may be prepared to accept. A word of advice on this solution – “Think carefully, advise properly, and ensure to insure.”
You could… appear in court yourself
Travelling in the Sydney metropolitan area is a problem. Unreliable public transport, increasing fuel costs and poor road infrastructure means that the cost of travelling is either a substantial burden to your bottom line or an undesirable cost to your client. Aside from the actual cost of travelling, what about the time taken? Time is money, so do you charge for travelling time? Some lawyers do and there is nothing wrong with that solution provided the client is willing to pay. But if they are not, then consider other alternatives.
You could… use technology
Technology is a cost effective solution. Geography is no longer a barrier with current technology. Telecommunications and information technology, especially the internet and the mobile office, allows lawyers to service clients who are not within their local areas, and appear in courts without travelling to them. However, when it comes to court appearances, personal appearance is always preferred over anything that technology can offer. Although solutions such as telephone or video conferencing are convenient, they can be distant and lack the personal interaction that is often very important in appearing in court. Being present in court to assess the ‘vibe’ is often the difference between a well argued case and an unhappy client.
You could… engage a Solicitor Agent
Ultimately, if you want competent representation in a court, without having to travel to that court, consider engaging a solicitor agent. Normally, solicitor agents are lawyers with offices or who practice in an area that is local to the court in question. Being local means that:
- they may have lower travelling costs, or not charge for travelling at all
- they may charge a fixed fee for their appearance instead of an hourly rate
- they may be familiar with and know the court, court staff, and court processes
- they may know the judicial officer
The first two points can be tangible cost savings for your client, but the second two points are intangible benefits that come from the personal interaction between the solicitor agent and the professional environment. While they are intangible, the ‘human’ side of law is very real and has an enormous influence on whether you can achieve the desired result or not.
If you weigh the cost of transport and the cost of time in travelling to and from a court that is not within your local area, you will find that in more cases than not, a solicitor agent who is local to the court in question will offer you and your client the most cost effective solution available.
Achieving results and lowering costs is paramount to having a happy client – with a solicitor agent, your job just became a whole lot easier.
Example of a solicitor agent
Our experienced solicitor agents provide fixed fee agency services and appear in all Parramatta courts. If you require the services of a solicitor agent, call us today for a very competitive quote on our fixed fee agency services.
A personal invitation
Before choosing any professional adviser, I encourage you to base your decision on more than just a price. Price does not always equate to value, service or long term cost savings.
With Phang Legal, you benefit from practical and cost effective advice, recommendations and solutions. My aim is that we will be one of your most trusted and valued professional advisers, irrespective of whether you are big or small, based in Australia or overseas. My team's dedication to service and results means you will enjoy confidence and peace of mind while we look after your best interests, as well as that of your family and your business.
If you want to know more about Phang Legal or our services, please contact me and my team on +61 2 9687 8885 or you can email us here.
I look forward to being of service.
Ern Phang
Director
This content is not intended to be legal advice and you should not rely upon it as legal advice without consulting our lawyers for professional legal advice specific to your situation.
