Before a first consultation with a lawyer, prepare a short chronology of the events, the key documents you have, any service records and the questions you want answered. List the details you do not know as unknown. The purpose of the meeting is to understand your legal need, identify the points that require review and make the next step clear.
A dispute can affect your time, your financial decisions and your family life. At the first consultation you do not have to remember every detail or use legal concepts correctly. The lawyer's questions help scattered information become a coherent whole. Preparation contributes to this work; do not delay an urgent application because your documents are not yet complete.
What Should Be Clarified at the First Consultation?
The meeting should begin by making clear who is seeking legal assistance, for which problem and within what scope. Reviewing a contract before signing, preparing a response to a lawsuit that has already been filed and obtaining a second opinion on an existing file are different pieces of work. Stating your need at the outset makes it easier to allocate time and to decide which documents should be reviewed.
State your priority as well. Recovering a debt, keeping a commercial relationship going, protecting a child's daily routine in a family dispute or understanding the risks before deciding on a transaction may each matter most to you. A legal assessment rests on firmer ground when the practical meaning of your request for your daily life is understood.
At the first consultation, not every question can be answered with certainty. The other side's document, the full file or a technical review may be needed. Ask which parts of the assessment rest on the current information and which points require further examination. Clearly stating an uncertainty that could affect the outcome makes the assessment easier to understand.
How Should Events Be Described to the Lawyer?
Separate What Happened, Your Interpretation and Your Expectation
“I was treated unfairly” describes the feeling you experienced. For review, you also need to explain who did what, and when. Separate what you saw directly, information you learned from someone else and your own conclusions. Do not write an uncertain date as if it were exact; say that it is approximate.
In a short account, look for answers to these questions: How did the relationship begin? What did the parties agree? Which event brought the problem to light? What payment, notice or meeting followed? What do you want done now? You can present detailed documents as an annex to this account.
Match Each Important Event with Its Document
For example, in a renovation job, adding the contract date, the agreed work, the payment records, the state of the completed work and the notices you sent to the other side to the statement “I paid, but the work was not finished” makes the assessment concrete. This example does not determine the outcome in advance; it reveals the questions that need to be examined.
Next to each payment record, note what it was for; next to each message, note which event it was written about. Prepare a separate explanation without altering the document itself. Taking a single sentence from several hundred messages on the same subject can strip away context, so keep the messages before and after the important correspondence as well.
When you are trying to fill in information you do not remember, do not turn an assumption into a fact. Statements such as “I could not find the document”, “I am not sure of the date” or “I heard this from the other side” show the lawyer what needs to be verified.
Which Documents Should Be Brought to the Lawyer?
Link the choice of documents to the question that needs to be answered. The matching below is for initial preparation; not every case requires every document.
| Subject to be examined | Useful starting documents | What it clarifies |
|---|---|---|
| Agreed work or obligation | Contract, additional protocol, offer and related correspondence | Who undertook what, and under which conditions? |
| Payment or receivable | Bank receipt, voucher, invoice and account statement | Which amount was paid, to whom and for what? |
| Filed lawsuit or investigation | Petitions, minutes, reports and decisions | At what stage is the file, and what has already been raised? |
| Notice and transaction dates | Notification, envelope, electronic delivery records | Which document reached whom, by which method and when? |
| How the event occurred | Lawfully obtained correspondence, photographs and other records | Which fact is explained by which record? |
Submit all pages and attachments together, not only the result page or the signature section. If you are sending photographs, the page edges, dates and signature areas must be legible. Keep the originals; separately determine which originals are to be delivered and how the delivery will be recorded.
Do not rewrite digital records, crop them or place explanations on top of them; keep the original file. Keep your explanations in a separate note. Before trying to collect new records by accessing someone else's account or device, obtain a legal assessment first.
For detailed document lists and existing preparation templates by subject, see the guide New Application and Case Acceptance Process.
Share Documents You Are Asked to Sign with the Lawyer Before the Meeting
If the other side asks you to sign an agreement, a release, a settlement protocol or a payment undertaking, have the lawyer review the full text and its annexes before you sign. Share the response or signature deadline as well. Clarify which rights the document regulates, which obligations it contains and how it affects the current dispute. Describing it as a “standard text” or “merely a formality” does not replace reviewing its content. If the meeting date falls after that deadline, notify us in advance; do not treat the offer of an appointment as approval of the document.
Why Should You Also Share Information That Appears Unfavorable?
The lawyer's legal assessment depends on the scope of the information provided. An earlier statement you gave, a payment you accepted, a document you signed or a message you sent to the other side may all matter. Concealing them may leave you unprepared when the information later comes to light.
Whether information appears unfavorable and what legal consequence it has are not the same assessment. For example, a signature on a delivery document is understood by examining the whole document, any reservation, what was delivered and the subsequent notices. Do not reach a conclusion based on a single detail.
Also disclose earlier work by other lawyers, petitions already submitted and related files. State clearly on which question you want a second opinion. In this way the assessment can be made on the actual situation of the file.
Is the Information Shared at the First Consultation Confidential?
For information learned through a professional application, the lawyer's duty of professional secrecy is important. Article 36 of the Attorneyship Law (Avukatlık Kanunu) regulates professional secrecy. Article 37 of the Professional Rules of the Union of Turkish Bar Associations (TBB) states the following: [1] [2]
“A lawyer also treats as confidential the information learned from persons who approach the lawyer and whose case the lawyer does not take on.”
Sharing the names of the persons involved and a short summary of the matter in a preliminary application helps with the initial assessment of whether the work can be taken on. The possibility of a conflict of interest is considered at this stage. Before sending the full content of a sensitive file, determine the scope of documents required and the appropriate sharing channel.
Information and documents you send to Güneş & Güneş Law Firm are handled for the purposes of assessing your application legally and carrying out the legal service undertaken, with regard to the principles of privacy and the protection of personal data. Review the relevant privacy notice and the guide Secure Information and Document Sharing. Do not send account passwords or one-time verification codes.
What If There Is a Notice or an Upcoming Action?
At the start of the meeting, tell us about any deadline. Share the full text of the notice, its annexes and its delivery records together. The date the document was issued, the date it reached you and the last day for taking action may all be different. Do not apply a general period found online directly to your file.
For example, when a decision reaches you, do not only say “the decision is against me”; prepare the full decision, the case number and the notification records. The lawyer's first review requires assessing together the nature of the decision, the route that may be followed and the data that affect the time limit.
Waiting for an appointment or sending a document does not stop a legal time limit. Report the urgent matter directly and clarify who is responsible for the required action. Do not read an acknowledgment message as acceptance that a time-limited action will be carried out. Previously undertaken work and obligations arising from the concrete relationship are assessed separately.
Which Questions Should Be Asked to the Lawyer at the First Consultation?
Going to the meeting with a few priority questions helps you obtain the explanation you need. Choose your questions according to the situation of your file:
- Which legal routes can be assessed with the current information?
- Which facts are still unclear, and which documents need to be reviewed?
- Is there an action that must be taken without delay?
- What are the significant risks and alternatives of the course to follow?
- What assumptions is the initial assessment based on, and could a new document change it?
- Which actions and stages does the proposed service cover?
- Who will be the responsible lawyer for the file, and how will I be kept informed?
- What information, documents or decisions are expected from me?
Listen to the opinion on the outcome of the case together with the reasons it rests on. Article 34 of the TBB Professional Rules distinguishes the lawyer's legal opinion from any guarantee of result. For this reason, alongside “Will I definitely win?”, include “What are the strong and weak points that could affect the outcome?” [2]
Evaluate Non-Litigation Options and the Expected Benefit
At the first consultation, also ask whether the dispute can be resolved through negotiation, a settlement or, where its conditions are met, mediation. Whether a dispute is suitable for mediation, and whether an application to mediation is a precondition for litigation, is assessed separately depending on the type of dispute. Do not assume that the same route is suitable or mandatory for every matter. [3]
Discuss the options together with their estimated duration, total cost and the benefit you want to achieve. Where a receivable is involved, include matters that may affect the actual collection of the amount. Ask on what information the time and cost estimates are based and which developments could change them. This comparison helps you decide on the path to follow more consciously.
How Are the Consultation Fee and the Scope of the Work Determined?
Ask in advance about the duration of the consultation, the scope of the document review and the advisory fee. Clarify whether a written legal opinion will be prepared during the meeting. These affect the time set aside and the work to be carried out.
Articles 163 and 164 of the Attorneyship Law (Avukatlık Kanunu) contain the basic provisions on the scope of the contract and on fees. Clearly writing down the subject of the legal assistance and the arrangement for fees and expenses makes clear what the parties have agreed. Since the law also governs agreements that are not in writing, do not assume in every case that no obligation arises merely because no signature exists. [1]
Ask separately about the scope of drafting a petition and of the later stages of the file, and about the court fees, notary, translation, expert and other expenses that may arise in addition to the lawyer's fee. Whether the consultation fee will be deducted from the fee for the service later undertaken is also a separate matter to be agreed.
Under our bureau's application procedure, the work to be undertaken and the working conditions are explained separately. An appointment confirmation, the sending of a proposal or the receipt of a document does not by itself mean that the whole file has been taken on. For details, see the guide Fees, Court Charges and Litigation Costs.
How Should You Prepare for an Online or Overseas Consultation?
Determine the Language of the Consultation and How Documents Will Be Reviewed
State your country, time zone and preferred language in the application. Güneş & Güneş Law Firm offers services in Turkish, English, German and Russian across all of its practice areas. Agreeing on the language of communication does not replace a certified translation or the document requirements for a particular procedure.
Share the documents to be reviewed through the agreed channel before the consultation, and briefly explain which question each document relates to. Check your connection and your sound. If you are using a shared device, make sure your files and open accounts remain out of others' reach.
Clarify the Position of Those Attending the Consultation
If a relative, a company representative or an interpreter will join, notify us in advance. It must be clear on whose behalf legal assistance is sought and with whom the information may be shared. A family relationship or working at the same company does not mean having access to every piece of information.
Choose an environment where you can speak comfortably and where others cannot hear you. If necessary, state that you need to speak alone for part of the meeting. Reach an explicit agreement in advance on any audio or video recording. You can send your appointment method and time preference through the page Meeting and Appointment Request.
What Information Should You Have at the End of the Consultation?
When the meeting ends, you should be able to tell which points of your legal matter have been understood and which will be researched. Restating the explanation in your own words helps prevent misunderstandings. Do not hesitate to ask for an unfamiliar term to be explained more clearly.
Summarize the following points in a short note:
- The legal need that was assessed and its priority.
- Additional documents to be reviewed and missing information.
- Any time-limited action and who is responsible for following it up.
- The services undertaken and the conditions for fees and expenses.
- The person to contact and the next step.
If no decision has been made yet, do not leave this open: will a further review be carried out, is a proposal awaited, or will legal help be sought elsewhere? In your meeting note, separate what is known from what is expected. Notify the lawyer concerned of any later document, new notice or changed contact details.
You can reach guides on application preparation, document procedures and ongoing files through the Client Center.
Conclusion: The Value of the First Consultation Lies in Clear Information and a Defined Next Step
Careful preparation for a first consultation makes it easier to examine your problem from a legal point of view. The order of the important events, the completeness of the documents and a clear statement of your expectation make the lawyer's assessment concrete. Disclosing incomplete or unfavorable information is also part of this preparation.
Do not measure the value of the meeting only by whether you hear the answer you expected. What matters is that your questions are addressed with their reasons, that uncertainties are shown and that the work to be done is explained. When you leave the meeting, you should understand what is known, what will be researched and who is taking the next step.
At Güneş & Güneş Law Firm, we consider it important in a first consultation to understand your legal need and expectation, to determine the information required for the assessment and to discuss the scope of the work openly. Work in which rights are handled with care begins with this clarity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I go to a first lawyer consultation before all the documents are ready?
Yes. You can apply with the documents you have and point out what is missing. The first assessment will discuss which documents are required. If the matter is urgent or subject to a deadline, do not wait to gather all the documents before making first contact.
Is a power of attorney required for a first consultation?
A notarized power of attorney is not required for every advisory consultation. The authority needed for acting on the file, for representation and for access to documents is determined by the work to be undertaken. Discuss the scope of any power of attorney to be drafted with the lawyer before the procedure begins.
Is a first lawyer consultation free of charge?
It should not be assumed that a first consultation is free. The scope of the advice and of the document review, and the fees and conditions that apply, should be clarified before the meeting. You can get current information on practice from the consultation and fee guides of our bureau.
Will a lawyer who does not take on my matter also keep what I tell them confidential?
Article 37 of the TBB Professional Rules treats information learned through applications by persons whose case the lawyer does not take on as professional secrecy. When sharing documents, it is also important to determine the required scope and an appropriate communication channel. [2]
Can I obtain a second opinion while another lawyer is handling my file?
You can submit a second-opinion request by explaining the existing lawyer relationship. The subject and the scope of the service should be determined from the outset. A second opinion, the undertaking of a new task in the file and a change of representation are separate assessments; do not leave the current arrangement for follow-up unclear.
Is it enough to send documents by WhatsApp?
Legible copies can help with the preliminary review. Completing the review and carrying out formal procedures may require originals, the complete file or documents in another format. Confirm that the transmission has been received, and do not treat the delivery of documents as an undertaking of the work.
Can I hold a video consultation from abroad?
The consultation method and a suitable time can be agreed mutually. Tell us your country, your time zone, the language of the consultation and the date of any upcoming action, if there is one. If documents need to be reviewed in advance, also agree on how they will be shared.
Can the outcome of a case be stated definitively during the consultation?
A lawyer can explain their legal opinion on the basis of the current information and documents; this opinion is not a guarantee of outcome. Ask for the grounds of the assessment, the missing information and the risks that could affect the result. Additional documents may change the initial assessment. [2]
Sources and legal bases
- Attorneyship Law No. 1136 (Avukatlık Kanunu), especially Arts. 34–38, 163 and 164. Union of Turkish Bar Associations (TBB), legislation publication. Law text.
- Union of Turkish Bar Associations (TBB). Professional Rules (Meslek Kuralları), especially Arts. 34–38. Professional rules.
- Law No. 6325 on Mediation in Civil Disputes (Hukuk Uyuşmazlıklarında Arabuluculuk Kanunu), especially Arts. 1, 3 and 18/A. Ministry of Justice, UYAP Legislation and Case Law Program. Law text.
Institutional practice guides: New Application and Case Acceptance Process; Meeting and Appointment Request; Fees, Court Charges and Litigation Costs; Secure Information and Document Sharing; Client Rights, Confidentiality and Information Principles.
Source check date: October 10, 2026. This article is for general preparation and information purposes and does not replace a legal assessment of a specific file.