Once we have talked or emailed I'll send you a letter and terms of engagement setting out what we have agreed I'll be doing for you, roughly what it'll cost, or what the fixed cost is for the work I will do for you.

You should be confident you know what costs you are incurring at every point of the process.

I keep my language clear and jargon-free — if something needs explaining twice, I'll explain it twice. You're welcome to call or email with questions as we work together; there's no such thing as a silly question.

Yes. The first meeting is charged at my hourly rate of $300 + GST, and there is no free initial consultation. If you go ahead with a fixed-fee matter, the first meeting is included in the fixed fee. If you decide not to go ahead, you pay for the first meeting at my hourly rate.

Yes, phone and video appointments are available by arrangement — handy if you're not in Dunedin, or a trip into town just isn't practical. There are a few exceptions, one exception is signing an enduring power of attorney, which the law requires to be done in person.

Yes, I am taking new clients

On a fixed-fee matter, I send one invoice when the work is finished. Where another lawyer has asked me to advise you, I send that invoice to them and they forward it to you.

On an hourly matter, I invoice at milestones as your matter progresses, or when it is finished.

Disbursements, such as court filing fees, may be invoiced as soon as I incur them.

I'll call you back personally to talk through what you need and arrange a time to meet — whether that's in person, by phone, or by video.

Yes — I point clients to Cook, North and Wong. I don't receive any referral fee or kickback for the recommendation; I suggest them because I rate their work.