OUR VISION-MANDATE AND STRATEGIC PLANS

At your first meeting you need to tell your paralegal what  has happened. You will want to find out how the law applies to your  situation and what kind of legal options you have. You should also find  out how much it will cost to hire the paralegal to work for  you.
 

Your goal is to decide if you want to hire the paralegal. If  you do, your first meeting is the beginning of a working relationship.
 

Please note: It is a good idea to ask the  paralegal whether  you will be charged for your first meeting. If this meeting has been  arranged through the Law Society Referral Service,  you are entitled to a free consultation of up to 30 minutes. However,  the consultation does not include legal work. If you ask the  paralegal to do any legal work (even during the consultation period),  there may be a charge involved.

• Be prepared for your conversations and meetings. Bring any  documents your  paralegal requests to see.  If you have  questions, write them down so you are ready to ask them.
• Read the letters and documents your paralegal sends to you. Make a note of your questions. 
• Keep all the letters and documents about your case in one place - a  file folder or box - so that you can find them easily when you need  them.
• Respect the pressures that  paralegals usually work  under. Come to your appointments on time. Call if you will be late or  cannot make it. Understand that your paralegal may not be able  to answer your telephone calls right away.
• Get to know the other staff in your  paralegal's office.  They may be able to help you. Call your lawyer or paralegal only when  it is necessary.
• Have reasonable expectations. You may not be able to get everything  you want. The justice system is not perfect. There may be delays and  disappointments.
• See Questions to ask when you meet.