One of the most important decisions you must make when you have a legal matter is choosing a good lawyer. A lawyer is an expert who defends you and protects your rights before the courts, the authorities or other parties involved. A lawyer also informs and guides you about your duties and options, and makes it easier for you to resolve your case in the best possible way.

However, if after hiring a lawyer, you are not satisfied with their work or treatment, you have the right to change professionals. You also have the option to claim compensation for the damages caused. To do this, you must follow the following steps:

What to do if you disagree with the lawyer?

Contact your lawyer

Before making a drastic decision or breaking off the relationship with your lawyer without first trying to talk to him and explain what bothers or displeases you. It may have been a confusion or an isolated situation that has a solution. If the lawyer admits his failure and is willing to improve, it may be worth giving him another chance.

Terminate the contracted agreement

If you are dissatisfied with the way your lawyer communicates with you or if you believe he or she has seriously failed in his or her duties, you can terminate your agreement. To do so, you must inform them in writing of your choice and the reasons supporting it. Additionally, you should ask them to return your case documents and give you a final invoice with the services performed and the costs incurred.

Find another lawyer

After ending the relationship with your previous attorney, you should find another expert to handle your legal problem. We recommend that you do so as soon as possible, so as not to waste time or risk your rights. Ask the new lawyer to contact the old one to facilitate the exchange of information.

Sue or claim compensation.

You can demand compensation from your lawyer if you believe that he or she has harmed you financially, morally or procedurally by acting negligently, in bad faith or in breach of contract. To do so, you need to have evidence that proves the damage suffered and the fault of the lawyer. Likewise, you can file a complaint with the bar association to which the professional is affiliated.

Listen to your instinct

An essential aspect that you should keep in mind when choosing a lawyer is that you feel comfortable and confident with him or her. If you sense a lack of understanding, professionalism or ethics, don’t be afraid to explore other alternatives. Keep in mind that this is a relationship of reciprocal trust that can last for a long time and affect relevant issues in your life.

What rights and obligations do you have as a client?

If you are a client of a company or a professional, it is important that you know your rights and obligations as a consumer. These are derived from current regulations on consumer protection, which aim to guarantee a balanced and transparent relationship between the parties.

Rights you have as a client

Here we explain some of the rights that assist you as a consumer:

• Right to information: This right implies that you must receive clear, truthful and sufficient information about the characteristics, conditions, price and guarantee of what you buy or contract.
• Right to quality: This right means that the products or services you purchase must comply with the quality, safety, suitability and operation requirements established by law or in the contract.
• Right to guarantee: This right allows you to demand that it be repaired, replaced, the price reduced or your money returned if the product or service you have purchased is defective or does not comply with what was agreed.
• Right to complain: This right entitles you to file a complaint with the company or professional who sold you or provided the service, and if you do not obtain a satisfactory solution, resort to consumer protection entities or the courts of Justice.

At the same time, as a client you also have some obligations, these are:

• Obligation to inform yourself. You have the obligation to obtain adequate information before purchasing or contracting a product or service. Reading the general conditions, particular clauses, instructions for use and safety warnings.
• Obligation to pay. You have the obligation to pay the agreed price for the product or service that you have purchased or contracted. Within the period and in the manner established in the contract.
• Obligation to preserve. You have the obligation to keep the product or service that you have received in good condition, except for normal wear and tear due to use, and respect the maintenance and care standards indicated.
• Obligation to collaborate. You have the obligation to collaborate with the company or professional who sold you or provided the service. It is necessary and essential to provide the necessary data, following your instructions and communicating any incident or problem that arises.

In conclusion, as you may have already realized, hiring a lawyer, although it may seem like a simple task, you should know that it is a great responsibility. Hiring a lawyer is a fundamental point in the case, achieving success in your legal situation depends on it. It is also necessary that you are fully aware of your responsibility as a client.