Frequently Asked Question
– During the Intake Process

Our firm is dedicated to your success. We stand out through a blend of expertise, tailored attention, and a solid commitment to our clients’ success.

Our goal is not just to deliver exceptional results but to exceed your expectations in obtaining legal advice that will set up a benchmark. Our company is not interested in just being your lawyers but we are investing into being your partners for life.

With seasoned lawyers specializing in civil litigation, we offer a creative approach, solutions and strategy suited to your unique case. Transparency and communication are pillars of our practice; we keep you informed and involved at every step.

We invite you to discuss your case with us during the first no-obligation case evaluation call, where you can see firsthand how our approach aligns with your needs.

At ME Law, we've streamlined the intake process, keeping your comfort and convenience in mind. You can connect with us in a way that suits you best to initiate discussions if we are the right law firm for your needs and if we are a good fit to each other.

A simple phone call, an online consultation scheduled through our user-friendly form on our website, or a straightforward email are all standard ways to get in touch with us as a first step.

We're here to listen to your needs, provide information about us and start the journey of resolving your legal matter.

While the specifics of handling each case can vary depending on the type and complexity of the legal matter, here's a general overview of the typical steps we follow:

• Initial call to collect basic info and identify whether we are the right firm to address the potential client’s inquiry
• Conflict Check: Ensure that there are no conflicts
• Initial Case Evaluation Call with a Lawyer: to understand your case, goals and introduce each other
• Engagement Agreement or Paid Consultation: Outline our services, fees, and other terms of engagement.
• Retainers top up and Client Identification gathering
• ID Verification pursuant to the Law Society of Ontario rules
• Subject to clearance of all the preliminary steps
• An upload link provided to the client to obtain all formal documentation
• Videoconference or an in-person appointment scheduling to meet a lawyer for an in-depth discussion
• A suggestion to provide a client’s outline of their side of the history of the matter in chronological order
• Lawyer’s comprehensive review of all materials provided, research if necessary, and preparation for the client’s meeting
• A meeting with the client to report on all the findings, an explanation of the strategy to handle the client’s matter, potential risks involved, chances of success, defence strategies available by opposing sides, and an initial cost assessment provided to the client
• Detailed discussion on Counsel’s part of terms of conditions for potential engagements

Accordingly, each stage is tailored to achieve the best outcome for you efficiently and effectively but by also complying with all the relevant laws and obligations pursuant to the rules of the Law Society of Ontario.

Following our initial call, we request you to complete a conflict check form. This step is not just a formality but a crucial part of ensuring that our law firm can represent you effectively, ethically, and in compliance with the Law Society of Ontario's requirements.

Your participation in this process helps us identify potential conflicts of interest that could impact our ability to serve you impartially.

Conflicts may arise if we've represented parties with opposing interests, which could compromise our neutrality. By conducting this check early on, we safeguard your interests and uphold the integrity of our practice, enabling us to proceed with your case confidently.

When it comes to legal matters, we understand the need for prompt action. Typically, we can assist you over the phone during an initial call to obtain a basic idea regarding whether our firm focuses on the area of law your query is in and provide you with an idea regarding the next steps.

However, please appreciate that we tried to address most general and common queries on this page.

Accordingly, once we clear the initial mandatory clearances (e.g. conflict check), we aim to arrange consultations the same day, ensuring a swift and efficient action to start to addressing your legal needs almost immediately.

An initial consultation with a lawyer refers to the initial 10–30-minute case evaluation consultation with a licensed professional. However, at no time during this consultation is a client-solicitor relationship formed.

The primary focus of an initial case evaluation on the lawyer’s part is fact-finding and evaluating whether the lawyer has the capacity and experience to take on the inquiries case, as well as being effective in advancing the prospective client’s matter.
Please be mindful that during initial case evaluations, ME Law's lawyers, or any of its staff, will not review any documentation with the purpose of forming a legal opinion on the inquiries matter. Legal opinions and thorough reviews of supporting documentation are only formed during Independent Legal Advice (ILA) consultations, or as part of Limited Scope Retainer engagements.

Essentially, the reason for the above is that ME Law does not believe that such rushed consultations can serve any useful purpose for either the prospective clients or the lawyer, based on the limited amount of information, as well as the inability to review it in a reasonable manner. Lawyers typically need a comprehensive review of documentation to provide a legal opinion or assess the current legal standing of the inquiry matter. Each case involves unique circumstances that require careful consideration. Therefore, rushed discussions without formal documents should not lead to speculation, second-guessing, or confusing prospective clients. Instead, the goal is to provide a detailed evaluation of the case, identifying potential pitfalls, risks, strategies, chances of success, relevant case law, and explaining the civil procedural steps involved.

However, ME Law litigators can inform prospective clients if they have handled similar cases in the past, address the preliminary assessment of whether the lawyer and prospective client can potentially work together, explain their typical operating style and how the engagement process will be conducted, and offer standard information on the retainer required to initiate a formal agreement, as well as the terms of their hourly rates.

Our consultation or Limited Scope retainer fees vary according to the lawyer's experience level, years of practice, and current workload at the time. The fees are set to cover the reviewing of your documents to understand your situation, preparation for your consultation, and the consultation time itself.

Free consultations of 10-30 minutes are not available. The standard charge is for a one-hour consultation, although these consultations typically last between 50 minutes and 1 hour 30 minutes.

More information about our fees can be found on the Fees page.

We tailor our communication to your needs, offering regular updates and ensuring we're accessible via phone, email, or video conferencing.

You should expect at least monthly updates, if there are any substantiative updates on your matter, with the frequency adjusted as needed based on your case's progress and your preferences, as well as, by all means, daily updates during the active civil proceedings’ stages..

However, please do not hesitate to contact us at any time, should you have any additional queries you’d like address with your lawyer, although, our goal is not to inflate any fees on your retainer account, if your retainer is based on an hourly rate basis, as well as to keep focused on discussions pertaining to any substantiative matters on your case, rather than depleting your resources on wasteful communications, if such are not needed.

We aim for quick responses, usually within one business day, and prioritize clear, understandable information to keep you well-informed, should you wish to get in touch with us and initiate any contact with your lawyer. If your lawyer is busy (e.g. in the midst of court proceedings that day) they will provide a time when they will be available to address your queries.

Before you decide to retain us as your lawyers, please know about our commitment to transparency, our dedication to client success, and how we manage our client relationships. Here's a brief overview:

• Transparency: We are committed to clear and open communication. From the initial consultation, we ensure that you understand the legal process, potential outcomes, and associated costs. Our transparent billing practices and regular updates keep you informed every step of the way.
• Dedication to Client Success: Your success is our priority. We strive to achieve the best possible outcomes tailored to your needs and goals. Our experienced team uses strategic approaches to protect your interests and secure favourable results.
• Client Relationship Management: We believe in building strong, collaborative relationships with our clients. We foster a supportive and responsive environment, ensuring your concerns are heard and addressed promptly. We work closely with you to develop effective legal strategies and provide continuous support throughout your legal journey.
• Fee Structure: Understanding our fees, any required retainers, and billing practices is crucial. We aim for clear, upfront communication about costs.
• Client Involvement: We value your input and explain how you can help us achieve the best outcome in your case.
• Competency / Professionalism / and Time Management: are the principles upon which we strive to operate, and, therefore, our goal is nothing but delivering value to our clients and results at the end.

We're here to answer any questions and give you the clarity you need to feel confident choosing us as your legal representative.

Our goal is to provide valuable service that aligns with your financial circumstances.

Below are summaries of various cases we've successfully handled, showcasing our expertise and the positive outcomes. While these examples illustrate our experience across various legal challenges, remember that every case is unique, and past successes do not guarantee future results. We're dedicated to leveraging our expertise and resources for the best possible outcome for each client.

If you're dissatisfied with our services, please contact us directly. We're committed to client satisfaction and take your concerns seriously, aiming to resolve any issues by adjusting our approach, clarifying case details, or exploring alternative strategies. Your feedback is a valuable opportunity for us to improve and ensure your confidence in our representation. Email us at office@melaw.ca

Knowing your legal options is key to making informed choices for your case. Before we delve into specifics, our team at ME Law will conduct a thorough review to identify the best strategies for you, which may include negotiation, litigation, or alternative dispute resolution (ADR) like mediation. Each path has its benefits and challenges:

• Negotiation can be quicker and less costly but may require compromises.
• Litigation might offer a more favorable outcome but tends to be longer and more expensive.
• ADR provides privacy and efficiency but may limit appeals.

After understanding your case fully, we'll outline each option's potential timelines, costs, and outcomes. Our goal is to provide the information you need to make decisions that align with your interests. We're committed to guiding you through every step, advocating for you all the way.

We can't ethically guarantee case outcomes in the legal profession due to each case's unique variables and uncertainties. However, ME Law guarantees our unwavering commitment to represent your interests with our extensive knowledge, experience, and resources. We focus on delivering high-quality legal advice, transparent communication, and a strategic approach tailored to your case, working tirelessly to achieve the best possible outcome.

Your active involvement plays a crucial role in the success of your case; by diligently providing comprehensive and accurate information, swiftly responding to all inquiries and requests for information, adhering closely to the advice and guidance offered by your legal team, remaining consistently engaged in the decision-making process through regular updates, and ensuring the confidentiality of case details to prevent any potential adverse impacts on the outcome, we can collaboratively navigate the complexities of your legal situation with greater efficacy.

We take the confidentiality of your information and case details very seriously. To ensure the utmost protection, we implement several key measures:

• Strict Privacy Policies:Our firm adheres to rigorous privacy policies that comply with legal standards, ensuring your information is handled securely and confidentially.
• Secure Communication Channels: We use encrypted communication methods for sharing sensitive information, safeguarding your data from unauthorized access.
• Access Control:Access to your information is strictly limited to team members directly involved in your case, preventing any unnecessary exposure of your details.
• Data Protection Practices: We employ advanced data protection technologies and practices, including secure data storage and regular security audits, to prevent data breaches.

By implementing these measures, we ensure that your information and case details are protected at all times, maintaining the trust you place in us.