When you meet with a legal professional, it helps to be prepared. Bring any documents or information related to your legal problem and try to be organized. During the meeting: 

• Explain your problem in your own words and tell them what you hope to achieve 
• Ask what steps need to be taken and how the legal professional can help 
• Ask about costs and how you will be charged 
• Find out what tasks you will need to do yourself 

Learning about the law can also help you prepare. Understanding basic legal information can make it easier to talk about your situation and explore your options. Visit Learn About the Law to discover legal information resources in Saskatchewan.

A legal professional should give you competent legal services. This means they have the right knowledge, skills, and abilities to handle your case. They should work carefully, responsibly, and efficiently. 

The law can be confusing, and it is always okay to ask questions. You should feel comfortable asking about: 

• What certain legal words or terms mean 
• What actions need to be taken 
• What steps are involved in the process 

Good and expected practices from a legal professional include: 

• Giving complete and accurate information about a case to the client 
• Doing work on time so it is useful to the client 
• Providing quality work and avoiding mistakes that cause delays or extra costs 
• Following through on promises, or explaining why something cannot be done, and confirming instructions in writing when needed 
• Keeping the client informed about important changes in the case 
• Telling the client about any settlement offers and explaining them clearly 
• Giving a clear, complete report when the work is finished, or providing an update if a final report is not yet possible 
• Avoiding anything (like intoxicants or drugs) that could interfere with service to a client 

A lawyer or limited licensee has a duty to behave civilly, honourably, and with integrity. A client should be able to trust that their legal professional will treat them and others with respect and do what is right. 

A legal professional’s duty to their client does not override their duty to comply with their professional obligations. A legal professional cannot accept instructions from their client that would result in them breaching the requirements of The Legal Profession Act, 1990, the Law Society of Saskatchewan Rules, or the Code of Professional Conduct. 

A legal professional has a duty to communicate effectively with their client. This includes: 

• Answering reasonable requests from a client for information 
• Answering, within a reasonable time, any communication that requires a reply 
• Keeping appointments with a client, or providing a timely explanation when unable to keep such an appointment 
• Keeping a client reasonably informed 
• Responding to a client’s phone calls 

Clients should feel safe knowing that all information they share with their legal professional is kept private. This even includes the fact that you hired or spoke with them about a matter. 

Learn more about Lawyers at the Public Legal Education Association of Saskatchewan website. Learn more about Limited Licensees on the Law Society of Saskatchewan website.