The inquiry and assessment come first. If a matter is accepted, formal work proceeds under an agreed scope with defined responsibilities and progress discussions.
Outline what happened, the payments involved and the questions you need answered. Identify any relevant dates or notices.
A concise account, known parties and immediate concerns.
Review the available documents, transaction history and disputed representations. Identify evidence gaps and the issues requiring further advice.
The facts, the missing information and the questions to assess.
Discuss whether the matter can be accepted, the proposed work, the responsible professionals and the fee arrangements. Formal work requires a separate agreement.
An agreed scope, responsibilities and fees.
If instructed, work proceeds within the agreed scope. Depending on the matter, this may involve further document review, legal analysis or preparation of a response.
Case work defined by the engagement, rather than a preset recovery promise.
At the stages agreed for the matter, discuss developments, outstanding questions and any change to the proposed work. Confirm further instructions where required.
A review of progress and a decision on any further work.
Acceptance, the proposed tasks and the practical limits should be understood before further work begins. A potential legal route is separate from a promised result.
Describe the disputed event, the parties involved and the information available. Discuss whether the matter can be assessed and what further work would require.