An lawyer’s client does not have to accept the contingency fee suggested by the lawyer that will be representing that same client. Do not confuse that fact with the ability of any potential client to forego dealing with a lawyer that intends to charge a rather high contingency fee. A lawyer does not have to offer extensive information on his or her reimbursement, before taking on a given client’s case.
Instead, the fact that clients do not have to accept the suggested contingency fees manages to highlight an important aspect of clients’ rights. That aspect showcases the nature of the charge that is linked to a lawyer’s services. Indeed, the rather lengthy list of clients’ rights acknowledges the existence of quite a few additional privileges.
Rights that all lawyers should grant to their clients
The right to bargain with the lawyer, regarding the rate charged or the percentage of the award that the client will be charged
Right to ask that the contingency fee contract be created in written form: Once it has been created, the client has 3 days in which to decide whether or not he or she will sign it. Once the contract has been signed, the client can ask that it be cancelled, before the passing of 3 days.
Right to learn about a prospective lawyer’s education, training and experience: Most prospective clients exercise this right during a pre-trial consultation.
Right to learn about expected costs, if a given case has not been won, and to learn about all offers for a settlement
Privileges granted to clients by their lawyers
Client can expect to get a written notice before a hired lawyer chooses to withdraw from a given case. Client does not have to sign a given contract, before learning whether or not his or her chosen lawyer will be the one actually handling that same client’s case.
If a client’s case gets referred to another lawyer, a new contract must be created, and it must receive the client’s signature. This rule agrees with the stipulation that no clients need to sign a contract before learning whether or not their chosen personal injury lawyer in Kitchener will be handling their particular case.
If client gets asked to pay a deposit, before a chosen lawyer will initiate work on a case, then that same client can ask how that requested money will be spent. The fact that clients deserve to be told about any offered settlements reflects the existence of one of the privileges that has been granted to all lawyers’ clients. None of them should shrink from asking about the progress being made in a given case, as long as the inquiries come at reasonable intervals.