How To Prepare For A First Conversation
If you are about to speak with a lawyer for the first time, here is how to prepare.
How Do You Prepare For A First Conversation
Preparing mainly means having your basic facts ready, not a polished case. Start with your dismissal date, the reason given, and a short written timeline of what led up to it.
Because the employer carries the burden of proving the dismissal was fair2, your role is mostly to lay out what happened clearly, not to build a legal argument yourself.
What Else Helps
If you have your employment contract, dismissal letter, or any relevant messages, bring these along too. Where documents are missing, describing what you remember is still useful.
Writing down a couple of questions beforehand, such as what your options are or what the 60-day window means for your dates, helps you use the conversation well1.
If You Are Missing Some Of This
Do not let missing documents stop you from reaching out. A lawyer can still have a useful first conversation based on what you remember, and help you work out what to look for afterward.
Preparation helps, but it is not a precondition for a first conversation. The earlier you start talking, the more time remains to fill in gaps properly.
What To Do With What You Gather
Check your deadline on the 60-day deadline calculator before your conversation, so you know exactly where you stand. The employment lawyer entity page explains what a first conversation typically covers.
For what comes after, see the guides on how to prepare to file your claim and how to prepare for the Industrial Court.
A short, honest account of your situation is the best starting point for any first conversation.
Once you have your basic facts together, a lawyer can review them with you and explain what they show about your case.
Common questions
What information should I bring to a first conversation
Your dismissal date, the reason given, and a short written timeline of what happened. Your contract and dismissal letter, if you have them, round this out well.
Do I need to organise everything perfectly beforehand
No. A rough but honest account is enough to start with, and a lawyer can help you identify what else might be useful.
Should I write down questions I want to ask
Yes, this helps you get the most out of a short conversation, especially if you are unsure where to start.
What if I do not have many documents yet
That is common, especially soon after a dismissal. A conversation can still proceed based on what you remember, and documents can follow afterward.
Sources
- An employee who considers they were dismissed without just cause or excuse may make a written representation to the Director General of Industrial Relations within 60 days of the dismissal Mah Weng Kwai & Associates
- In an unfair dismissal case the burden falls on the employer to prove the dismissal was for just cause or excuse Mah Weng Kwai & Associates
Keep reading
Once you have your basic facts together, a lawyer can review them with you and explain what they show about your case.