Next step is to find out the cost of hiring a lawyer .Generally charges vary with respect to merit and expertise in the matter. As a rule one should draw an outline of budget and the number of years the case might take to get resolved .Then one should narrow down on the expert lawyer one can afford and take appointment on phone. The fee details should be clarified in the first meeting itself so that you have a smooth relationship with your lawyer and there is no misunderstanding during the case proceedings. It is not advisable to switch lawyers during the case proceedings, hence all the details i.e. the fee, the expenses under different heads, lawyers commitment for your case for the specific time should be thoroughly enquired.
Month: January 2012
Specializations
The best way to find a lawyer is often is to take advice from acquaintances, relatives and friends. It is always advisable to talk to somebody who has faced a legal crisis similar to your issue. When faced with a corporate matter one can talk to legal manager in your company or take advice on phone from legal person in your friend’s organization. One can approach an NGO in case of a public interest litigation. There are various websites on the internet displaying data on lawyers as per there area of specialization .There are directories mentioning list of lawyers practicing at various forums and courts. One can also approach law firms which can recommend a lawyer with specialization in your dispute.
Timely action is very essential so that you are not barred by the limitation period for approaching the court. Having screened and shortlisted a list of lawyers concerning your matter the next step is to check on the credentials of the lawyers. One can talk to community people about the merit and character of the lawyer .Your matter might take many years to get resolved, hence it is very important that you choose a lawyer with whom you share compatibility and feel easy and comfortable to talk about your problem. Mutual trust is a must in a lawyer and client relationship. As a client one should not hold back any information, fact, and data relevant to your matter. There are generalists and a specialist class of lawyers .Specialist is a lawyers who has worked under a lawyer with a specialization in a particular field of practice i.e. constitutional law, criminal law, corporate law , public interest litigation , family law, mergers ,acquisitions, FEMA, MRTP, insurance, taxation , consumer law, property law, medical negligence, etc. The diverse nature of law often makes it essential for a lawyer to have worked under a specific field for a number of years to give him an expertise and grip of the legal and procedural intricacies. The years of practice are generally a valid ground to screen a lawyer. One should also take an account of the lawyer’s history with respect to his association with a law firm or senior as an intern or during the training period as this would give you an idea of his legal knowledge and expertise. The details of the number of cases handled and favorable orders received from the court.
Hiring a lawyer
The reasons for hiring a lawyer can be manifold .Certainly one would seek a lawyer when stuck with an issue involving legal position with regards to a right, liability, a relief sought under a crisis situation , a family dispute, a criminal charge, property matter, a contract , an agreement, signing a deed, consumer case, accident claim, damages, taxation etc .
Law is a complex set of rules and procedures to establish harmony in human life. The innate nature of law is very technical and has a specific language for communication with exact definitions and connotations for each of its provisions. Hence there is a need of an expert trained and groomed to meet the challenges in the field of law.
Firstly one should have a clear knowledge of the facts involving ones case and a fair amount of idea, of the problem, one is seeking remedy for. It is always advisable to maintain a diary or a case file of one’s matter. It is very important to maintain a positive mindset. The person under crisis should be firm and determined to come out of the problem. One should be ready to do a little research on ones matter and then venture out to shortlist a lawyer with caution and not suspicion to avoid pitfalls in the end.
Evolution of privacy
The term privacy is struggling to define its form and shape under the stress of highly sophisticated communication technology, the internet – social networking media, satellites, mobile phones etc. More and more cases are reported where an individual’s privacy is infringed and encroached upon .It is the result of an emerging scenario where socio-political boundaries are facing new challenges and reaching dimensions never experienced by history.
As an active member of the global community India needs to shape a distinct statute protecting and safeguarding the right to privacy of individuals and its citizens. There is an urgent need for a law on privacy, so that individuals can lead a life of dignity and find full opportunity for growth.
In India, domain investors are denied privacy as NTRO, CBI subjects them to identity theft frauds, stealing their resume, investment, correspondence for goan sex workers, cheater housewives and other fraud indian intelligence agency employees
International declarations & Covenants
India is a signatory to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, 1966
Article 17 of the said covenant is as under:-
1. No one shall be subject to arbitrary unlawful interference with his privacy family, human or correspondence, nor to lawful attacks on his honour and reputation.
2. Everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks.”
And Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948 Article 12 states that
“No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to attacks upon his honour and reputation. Everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks”.
Problems in dealing with customers
One of the major problems with companies and freelancers is their attitude towards their customers. The customers are paying you, it is their hard earned money and if the quality of the product or service is poor, or you do not treat the customer properly, they can always take their business elsewhere. For some time, they may work with you, but it affects the long term relationship. Remember, you can never force any person to trust you. Trust is earned over a period of time.