A well-prepared consultation helps the adviser identify the real issue quickly and use the appointment on decisions rather than searching through documents.
Put the deadline first
If a notice, court order, appeal, disciplinary process or contractual step has a deadline, put the date at the top of your summary. Do not assume an adviser has taken responsibility for it merely because documents have been sent.
Prepare a short factual summary
Explain who is involved, what happened, what has already been done and what outcome you want. One or two pages are usually more useful initially than a long narrative.
Choose the documents that drive the issue
Start with the agreement, notice, order, decision or latest formal letter. Add the documents that directly support the key facts. Large duplicate bundles can make the important material harder to identify.
Make a chronology
A simple date-and-event list can reveal gaps, inconsistent accounts and missing documents. It is especially useful where several letters, payments, meetings or notices are involved.
Decide what you want from the appointment
For example: an explanation of your options, review of a document, a response letter, preparation for a meeting or a defined action plan. A clear objective makes the advice more focused.
General information only
This article is general information rather than advice on your individual circumstances. Law and procedure can change, and the correct approach can depend on the documents, facts and deadlines in your matter.