Delroy Chuck
IF YOU asked two lawyers for advice on any subject you are sure to get at least two or three opinions. No two attorneys are alike. They think differently. They have had different experiences, different training and most likely a different outlook on virtually everything. Attorneys serve the public, their profession and their clients in different ways. At every step of the way, clients must find attorneys-at-law in whom to repose trust and confidence, and to feel comfortable and at ease.
Like other professionals, lawyers must offer a high quality of advice, possess human relations and communication skills, and provide needed service to retain and attract clients.
TRAINING AND LEARNING
By virtue of their training and learning, attorneys are able to assist their clients to understand the intricacies of a transaction, discern the likely pitfalls, unravel the fine prints, and do for their clients all that their clients could do for themselves, if they could.
In the strange, atmosphere of a courtroom, a good attorney is a necessary and essential partner. More impor-tantly, whenever a problem surfaces or appears likely in any commercial transaction or business relations, it is best to seek the advice of an attorney.
Across the world, attorneys have a poor and undeserved reputation for unfair practices, shady dealings and downright dishonesty. In truth, a few dishonourable members give the legal profession a bad name.
The dishonest and unworthy lawyer is ultimately discovered and removed from the legal profession, but only after hurting their clients. Where mediocre legal service is provided, such pedestrian lawyers are soon avoided and suffer from reduced clientele. Admittedly, the legal profession should monitor and supervise its members scrupulously and, to the best of my knowledge, it does. Nevertheless, it is the general public that must carefully and meticulously scrutinise attorneys before placing their money, trust, liberty and life in their hands.
To be fair, the public is not aware of the varying professional skills and areas of practice of members of the legal profession. Even though lawyers can advertise, they do not. Until recently, advertisement was frowned on and most attorneys are still reluctant to advertise their professional practice and areas of expertise. Members of the public are therefore kept in the dark and seek the advice of friends and others to recommend a good lawyer, which was considered the most appropriate practice.
RELIABLE METHOD
In an expanding, diverse and competitive society, however, a more reliable method of finding attorneys is desirable. Nowadays, when one wants a lawyer, one simply turns up at an attorney's office, which may well not be the best way of dealing with the matter. Perhaps, it is now time for attorneys-at-law to provide the general public with a brief outline of their areas of practice and expertise.
While it may be unworthy and unprofessional for attorneys to advertise in the manner of massage parlours, it would be helpful to the public to know the type of legal services offered. Towards that end, the General Legal Council should consider an appropriate and acceptable form of advertisement and exposure for members of the noble and honourable profession. Still, in a competitive environment, the burden is on consumers to contact different legal offices to investigate their areas of proficiency, their fees and estimated time to complete a matter, before exercising their option to retain one.
Time, money and convenience are important considerations in every transaction and consumers must think before they act.
In the pursuit of higher standards, competition makes the difference. Competition reduces costs, improves service and puts the consumers in command. While the legal profession should serve the public better, its quality will only improve if consumers demand more and choose discerningly. Unleashing more competitive forces within the legal profession will surely benefit everyone.
Delroy Chuck is an attorney at law and Member of Parliament. He can be contacted by email at delchuck@hotmail.com.
