Many British and other English speaking citizens choose to have a residence in Spain. The Costa del Sol is one of the most popular areas for the climate and quality of life it offers its residents. However, it is common for many of them to need a lawyer who can provide tax advice and representation in their language and with full knowledge of the laws in force in Spain.
In this article I address the 12 aspects that you should consider before hiring a bilingual lawyer in this territory.
High ability to communicate effectively in English
The legal world is complicated enough to understand for people who are not professionals in the sector without adding the difficulty of language. For this reason, one of the requirements for hiring a lawyer should be a high ability to communicate in English and, on the other hand, a good command of legal English.
Experience and specialisation of the lawyer
The experience and specialisation of the lawyer is one of the most important factors to consider when hiring his or her services. An experienced lawyer will have a deeper knowledge of the law and legal procedures, which will allow him to provide better advice and representation to his clients.
Knowledge of Spanish and local legal system
The Spanish system in general, and the local system in particular, has its own laws, regulations and procedures which may differ significantly from other legal systems. Before entering into a lawyer-client contract, the practitioner must be familiar with this system in order to be able to provide full and correct representation.
Experience in cases similar to yours
Of course, another condition you should pay attention to before hiring a lawyer is his or her background and experience in the legal area in which you need help. You should check whether they have already worked on similar cases and how these cases have been resolved in the past.
A lawyer with experience in cases similar to yours will also have a better understanding of the complexities and nuances and will be able to identify potential legal problems before they become major obstacles to the case.
Referrals and recommendations from other clients
When other clients have identified a good lawyer and recommended him or her for their services, it means that they have had a positive experience with the lawyer and are satisfied with the resolution of their case.
Seeking references and recommendations provides you with information about the lawyer’s ethics and commitment to their work, their ability to communicate with their clients, and their ability to resolve legal problems favourably.
Availability and response time
There are legal situations that citizens need to resolve urgently, for this reason it is very important to know how available a lawyer is to deal with the case and what their response time is.
Proximity and accessibility for meetings and consultations
The client-lawyer relationship must be fluid, close and completely accessible, as this will have a direct impact on efficiency. A lawyer who is close and available for meetings and consultations will make the client feel more comfortable and confident in the relationship and will also influence the response time to their legal needs and interests.
Your connections and networks in the area
A professional specialising in working with foreigners living on the Costa del Sol who is truly based in the area is essential, as he or she will have a network of useful and valuable contacts which can greatly benefit certain aspects of the case.
Among other advantages, a lawyer with connections in the local judicial system may be able to speed up the legal process.
Ability to negotiate settlements and resolve disputes
When it comes to legal matters, there is often more than one way to resolve a problem and a lawyer’s ability to negotiate settlements and resolve disputes can be the difference between a favourable or unfavourable outcome.
A lawyer who is a good negotiator can help his or her client reach a fair and beneficial settlement without having to resort to a costly and lengthy trial. The ability to negotiate settlements can also be critical in situations where the client has to work with another party or parties to achieve a common goal, such as in a business transaction or divorce settlement.
The ability to be able to communicate and work with other members of the client’s legal team.
Many legal matters require collaboration and coordination between different legal professionals, such as lawyers, accountants, consultants and other advisors. A lawyer’s ability to work with other members of the client’s legal team can be crucial to the resolution of the case.
A lawyer’s ability to communicate and work with other legal professionals can also be important in situations where the client needs advice on a wide variety of legal issues, such as complex commercial transactions or tax and estate planning. This ability to communicate effectively can ensure that the client receives the best legal advice in all relevant areas.
Your costs and fees
Legal representation can be expensive and it is important for clients to understand the associated costs and to be able to assess whether they are reasonable in relation to the nature and complexity of the legal matter in question.
It should also be borne in mind that the costs associated with a legal matter may include not only the lawyer’s fees, but also other expenses such as document costs, research expenses and representation costs. It is important to discuss these amounts with the lawyer before engaging his or her services and it is also imperative that the lawyer explicitly details them so that his or her client can understand them.
Ability to offer services online or remotely
Thanks to technology, many lawyers can work with clients anywhere in the world without having to be physically present in the same location. This is especially relevant when dealing with cases involving people who may be in their home country temporarily and the case has to run its course.
The fact that lawyer services offer the possibility of online services saves time and travel costs for both the lawyer and the client. It also provides greater flexibility in terms of scheduling meetings and consultations, which can be especially useful for clients with busy schedules or who are in different time zones.
Conclusions
In short, it is essential to carefully research and evaluate a law firm in English before hiring them to ensure that they meet your needs and expectations.
If you are looking for a lawyer located on the Costa del Sol, bilingual and experienced in civil, commercial, administrative or criminal law, please contact me through the form below this article so that I can study your case and advise you personally.
