SYDNEY · COMMERCIAL LAW · TAX · DISPUTES · SUCCESSION
FAQ
Questions clients ask us.
Straight answers to the questions that come up in nearly every first conversation. If yours isn’t here, ask it directly.
Straight answers to the questions that come up in nearly every first conversation. If yours isn’t here, ask it directly.
01
What happens at the first consultation?
What happens at the first consultation?
You tell us the situation; we tell you what we think — a preliminary view of your position, the realistic paths from here, and what each would involve. If we’re not the right firm for the matter, we’ll say so and point you toward who is. You leave knowing more than you arrived knowing, whether or not you engage us.
You tell us the situation; we tell you what we think — a preliminary view of your position, the realistic paths from here, and what each would involve. If we’re not the right firm for the matter, we’ll say so and point you toward who is. You leave knowing more than you arrived knowing, whether or not you engage us.
02
How do your fees work?
How do your fees work?
Scope and fees are agreed in writing before work starts. Wherever the work allows, we fix fees for defined stages so the cost of a decision is known before it’s made. Where time-based billing is honest — genuinely unpredictable disputes, for instance — we give estimates, caps where appropriate, and regular reporting. What we don’t do is start the meter and hope.
Scope and fees are agreed in writing before work starts. Wherever the work allows, we fix fees for defined stages so the cost of a decision is known before it’s made. Where time-based billing is honest — genuinely unpredictable disputes, for instance — we give estimates, caps where appropriate, and regular reporting. What we don’t do is start the meter and hope.
03
Do I need to prepare anything before we meet?
Do I need to prepare anything before we meet?
The key documents if you have them — contracts, structures, correspondence — and honesty about what you want. Don’t worry about organising it perfectly; that’s partly what we’re for.
The key documents if you have them — contracts, structures, correspondence — and honesty about what you want. Don’t worry about organising it perfectly; that’s partly what we’re for.
04
Will my matter be handled by a senior lawyer?
Will my matter be handled by a senior lawyer?
Yes. The firm keeps its matter load controlled so that senior attention is the standard, not the exception. You will always know exactly who is acting for you.
Yes. The firm keeps its matter load controlled so that senior attention is the standard, not the exception. You will always know exactly who is acting for you.
05
Can you work with my accountant?
Can you work with my accountant?
We prefer it. Most of our tax and structuring work is done in a working group with the client’s accountant — legal analysis and documentation from the firm, tax agent and accounting services from them. Good advisers collaborating openly is the best value in professional services.
We prefer it. Most of our tax and structuring work is done in a working group with the client’s accountant — legal analysis and documentation from the firm, tax agent and accounting services from them. Good advisers collaborating openly is the best value in professional services.
06
Is what I tell you confidential?
Is what I tell you confidential?
Yes — and more than confidential. Communications with the firm for the purpose of legal advice attract legal professional privilege, a protection unique to the lawyer-client relationship. We’ll explain how it applies to your matter and how to avoid inadvertently losing it.
Yes — and more than confidential. Communications with the firm for the purpose of legal advice attract legal professional privilege, a protection unique to the lawyer-client relationship. We’ll explain how it applies to your matter and how to avoid inadvertently losing it.
07
What is Daniel Jude Corporate Advisory, and do I have to use it?
What is Daniel Jude Corporate Advisory, and do I have to use it?
A separate business within the Daniel Jude group, providing transaction and strategic advisory services — the commercial side of buying, selling and transitioning businesses. It is not a law firm and does not provide legal services. No client of the firm is ever required to use it; where clients choose to engage both businesses, they coordinate closely in the client’s interest.
A separate business within the Daniel Jude group, providing transaction and strategic advisory services — the commercial side of buying, selling and transitioning businesses. It is not a law firm and does not provide legal services. No client of the firm is ever required to use it; where clients choose to engage both businesses, they coordinate closely in the client’s interest.
08
I think something in my tax affairs isn’t right. What should I do?
I think something in my tax affairs isn’t right. What should I do?
Get advice before doing anything else — including before contacting the ATO. Problems addressed early and disclosed properly are almost always resolved more cheaply and quietly than problems discovered. This is an area where the firm’s advice is direct: face it now, with the process handled correctly.
Get advice before doing anything else — including before contacting the ATO. Problems addressed early and disclosed properly are almost always resolved more cheaply and quietly than problems discovered. This is an area where the firm’s advice is direct: face it now, with the process handled correctly.
09
Do you act in urgent matters?
Do you act in urgent matters?
Yes. Injunctions, urgent disputes, regulator deadlines and estate emergencies don’t book consultations two weeks out. Contact us and say it’s urgent; we triage accordingly.
Yes. Injunctions, urgent disputes, regulator deadlines and estate emergencies don’t book consultations two weeks out. Contact us and say it’s urgent; we triage accordingly.
Still unsure
Ask the question directly.
If your question is not here, it is usually quicker to ask. We will tell you plainly whether it is something we act on.
Contact the firm
Enquiries
Ask the question that isn’t here.
Initial consultations are confidential, and you’ll leave with our preliminary view — not a brochure.