General information only — not legal advice. Search Solicitors is a directory and information resource, not a law firm. Laws and procedures vary across Australia and may change. Seek advice from an appropriately qualified Australian legal practitioner about your own circumstances. A listing is not an endorsement or a guarantee of qualifications, availability or outcomes.
The practical takeaway
Can you assess availability for the date shown on this document? Has anyone expressly confirmed that they are acting for me?
When a criminal matter feels urgent, make the first conversation concrete: identify the paperwork, the next listed date and whether the firm has actually agreed to act.
Start with the document, not a guessed label
Read the name of the document and the court or agency shown on it to the intake person. State any hearing or attendance date exactly as printed. Do not assume a search result for a broad practice area means that a lawyer can attend your particular matter. Ask how urgent material should be supplied securely.
- Can you assess availability for the date shown on this document?
Ask about the person attending
The lawyer at the introductory meeting may not be the person who attends court. Ask who is expected to appear, how you will meet them and what happens if that person becomes unavailable. Ask about experience with the type of matter without seeking identifying details about other clients.
- Who would attend, and what preparation is included before that appearance?
Separate the first appearance from later work
An initial fee may cover a limited stage. Request a written explanation of the included preparation, appearances and any separate counsel costs. Do not treat a low starting figure as a total budget. Ask when the scope would be reviewed if the matter changes or requires another date.
- Which events would require a new estimate?
Keep an alternative help pathway
If private representation is difficult to afford, consult Legal Aid Queensland about available help and eligibility. A directory enquiry is not a legal aid application or a guarantee of representation. If a date is approaching, seek direct advice promptly rather than waiting for several firms to reply to comparison emails.
- Has anyone expressly confirmed that they are acting for me?
Worked example · hypothetical
An appointment is offered after the listed date
A caller receives a routine booking link but their paperwork lists an earlier date.
An appointment is offered after the listed date
Ask: Can someone assess the timing today, or should I contact another service?
Why it matters: Clarifying the proposed service prevents a comparison based on different assumptions.
The initial discussion leaves a task unclear.
Ask: Who would attend, and what preparation is included before that appearance?
Why it matters: Record the answer so you can distinguish confirmed arrangements from an expectation.
Further work has not yet been agreed.
Ask: Has anyone expressly confirmed that they are acting for me?
Why it matters: A specific next step helps you understand who is responsible and what has been accepted.
Your next step: Write down the answer, ask for unclear terms to be explained, and compare the written proposal before engaging the provider.
Open the private comparison worksheet →Your private preparation
Turn this guide into your enquiry
Print this page using your browser, or copy the prompts into your own private notes. This page does not collect your answers.
- Can you assess availability for the date shown on this document?
- Who would attend, and what preparation is included before that appearance?
- Which events would require a new estimate?
- Has anyone expressly confirmed that they are acting for me?
Common questions
Does booking a meeting mean the lawyer will attend court?
No. Ask for explicit confirmation of acceptance and attendance for the relevant date. A booking acknowledgement may only confirm an assessment appointment.
How can I compare first-appearance fees?
Ask each firm to identify the preparation, conferences and attendance included, together with exclusions and the point at which another estimate would be needed.
Sources and further reading
Sources checked 2026-09-20. Read each source in its own jurisdiction and context. Examples and worksheets are original editorial aids, not actual client stories. How we prepare our content.
General information only — not legal advice. Search Solicitors is a directory and information resource, not a law firm. Laws and procedures vary across Australia and may change. Seek advice from an appropriately qualified Australian legal practitioner about your own circumstances. A listing is not an endorsement or a guarantee of qualifications, availability or outcomes.