If you have recently moved to Thailand, are setting up a company in the country or have other legal business there, you are likely thinking about hiring a lawyer in Thailand.
It can be daunting to choose the right legal services provider from among the dozens of large firms and hundreds of smaller firms in the country. Asia Law Network provides a great and easy solution for this common issue. Our portal provides access to verified lawyers in Thailand. Simply enter the legal specialty service you need, which country the lawyer should practice in and find a trustworthy legal professional.
Here are some steps to take when it is time to hire a lawyer in Thailand:
Perform Some General Research
The first step in your research will be to perform some simple internet searches and ask people you know for recommendations about hiring a lawyer in Thailand. Type in the special area of legal services that you need such as immigration, corporate, criminal or family assistance. Take note of the names that keep appearing in a positive light.
This simple first step will greatly narrow your search down to a handful of names, firms and addresses.
Check with the Correct Authorities
Once you have whittled down your possibilities to a short list, you must verify that those lawyers are qualified to practice and that they are in good standing with the legal governing bodies.
In Thailand, qualified lawyers are licensed by the Law Council of Thailand and must be registered with the country’s Bar Institute.
To make sure that your lawyer is registered, check in with these associations. They can also provide such as details as how long the lawyer in question has been practicing, which law school they graduated from and if they have had any infractions with the authoritative bodies.
If you’ve found the lawyer here on ALN, you can skip this step and be assured that we have already verified their credentials for you.
Once you have followed these steps, you now know that your lawyer is qualified, but what else would be helpful to know before making the big decision of hiring a lawyer in Thailand? The next step involves setting a meeting with the lawyer to see if you have compatible philosophies and working styles.
Schedule a Meeting and Ask Questions
Schedule an introductory meeting either in person or over the phone. Ask the lawyer how they might handle certain cases and see if their point-of-view is similar to your own.
It would be a great and proactive idea to have a list of questions prepared to ask your prospective lawyer during the meeting.
Some general queries might include:
1a) Have you ever handled a case similar to mine?
1b) What were the results?
1c) What did you learn from it?
1d) What were the hardest parts of that case?
2) What percentage of your business comes from people with issues similar to mine?
3) Can you give me a simple layout of your fees?
4a) How quickly can I expect to hear back from you when I check in about my case?
4b) By which method do you prefer to communicate?
5a) How long should it take before my case is resolved?
5b) What outcome do you hope for?
5c) What outcome do you expect?
Trust Your Instincts
You will most likely be working closely with any attorney you retain, so make sure that you feel a rapport with them. Check in with yourself both during and after your initial appointment and ask yourself:
1) Do I feel I can trust this person?
2) Does this person make me feel comfortable and confident in their abilities?
3) Do they really listen to me?
4) Can they answer my questions succinctly without avoidance or saying “Let me get back to you on that?”
These questions are important since we are constantly picking up on nonverbal cues and other behaviors that let us know if another person is honest, comfortable and trustworthy. The same cues that you pick up on will be picked up on by other lawyers, judges and professionals involved in your legal proceedings. So it is important to choose someone that makes you feel comfortable and confident.
If the lawyer in question meets the earlier guidelines and you can honestly answer “yes” to the above questions, then congratulations, it is likely that you just found a great lawyer to assist you in Thailand.
This article does not constitute legal advice or a legal opinion on any matter discussed and, accordingly, it should not be relied upon. It should not be regarded as a comprehensive statement of the law and practice in this area. If you require any advice or information, please speak to practicing lawyer in your jurisdiction. No individual who is a member, partner, shareholder or consultant of, in or to any constituent part of Interstellar Group Pte. Ltd. accepts or assumes responsibility, or has any liability, to any person in respect of this article.
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