Families Matter Law Practice
Frequently
Asked Questions
Table
of Contents
- What
areas of law do you operate in ?
- Who
will you take instructions from and how widely will you travel ?
- What
do you charge ?
- How
do I instruct you ?
- What
if I can’t afford to pay cash and I don’t want legal aid ?
What areas of law do you operate
in ?
I
am primarily a litigation lawyer.
That
is the technical name for a lawyer that spends most of his time representing
clients in Court whether as defendants in a criminal proceeding or mothers,
father or whanau in family court proceedings or any of the litigants in civil
proceedings. In regard to criminal
proceedings I undertake all cases from the minor offences to murder.
Please
see the itemized list of services available on my services
page.
Where
litigation leads to the need to settle property transactions I instruct
property specialists to undertake the necessary conveyancing. In such case I will advise you of the cost of
their services and give you the option of instructing conveyancers on your own
behalf.
Please
note that as a matter of deliberate policy I do not operate a trust account and
I will neither advise clients with regard to the placement of funds or receive funds
on behalf of clients. Where a litigation
matter results in the need to receive funds then arrangements will be made for
funds to be received by my client direct.
Should such transactions require payment to be made contemporaneously
then arrangements will be made to that effect by the client.
Who will you take instructions
from and how widely will you travel ?
My
main area of operation is in the Rotorua district. I have lived and owned property in the
Rotorua District for over five years. I
will however accept instructions to
appear in the Tauranga, Whakatane, Tokoroa and Taupo Courts on the basis of
proper instruction is an appropriate matter.
If you have a matter that you wish assistance on and think I may be able
to help then email me and
tell me of your problem.
If
it is out of the
However
you should factor in to your consideration of representation the costs of
travel and the fact that a local lawyer may be able to assist in a more cost
effective manner.
As
you will see from the biographical material I have been practicing law for over
twenty seven years.
I
am a senior and experienced practitioner.
My
private charge out rate is $250 per hour plus g.s.t.
If
I am acting as solicitor or counsel in regard to an assignment from the Legal
Services Agency then I accept the rate applicable to the case set by the Legal
Services Agency. The top rate is $165 in
respect of High Court matters and $140 in respect of Family Court matters.
I
am prepared to negotiate fixed fees for specified work and I will enter into
fee arrangements from clients who prefer not to seek legal aid because of the
low rates of pay.
In
the first instance contact me through any of the options available on this
website. My preference would be for an email with your name and address
and other contact details and a brief description of the circumstances that
require my attention. I will then respond to you.
What if I can’t afford to pay
cash and I don’t want legal aid ?
We
cannot get away from the reality that quality representation not only costs it
pays.
If
you have a financial problem and you can’t pay cash then I am happy to discuss
other funding options including time payment or secured payment programmes.
In
the first instance all you have to do is ask and then evaluate whether it is a
proposal that you are comfortable with and wish to proceed with.
Fee
agreements are recorded in writing and signed by the parties and are
enforceable.
Last
revised: 13th June 2008