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Accessing Legal Services online

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Mika, Staff Writer

Monday, 22 March 2021

Legal matters are rarely straightforward regardless of where you are based. Sometimes it’s not always possible to find the right professional for your concern in person. 

In which case, you may be considering accessing legal services online. For example, if you need an international lawyer, or if you are out of the country and need someone local to your area to process legal documents for you. 

If you are wondering what to expect when it comes to all things remote legal services, here is an overview to guide you. 

Can legal practitioners work remotely?

Yes, and regardless of what situation you are facing, legal practitioners will do their utmost to help you whether you access their services in person or online. As the digital age continues, it’s likely working from home will continue for most professions in some capacity. 

Of course, not all legal services can be carried out remotely especially when it comes to attending court. However, some court proceedings can be held remotely so there could be some flexibility on that issue. It very much depends on the local situation and the regulations that are in place. 

Lawyers & Solicitors 

In the world of lawyers and solicitors, they can assist with everything from divorce to malpractice making their services incredibly broad. Discussions can be carried out over the phone or in person, but documents may need to be sent out to you to sign and return. 

Some people also choose to hire a lawyer or solicitor remotely due to their expertise which cannot be found locally. Given some cases take a while to reach court, you may be able to meet in a traditional setting with your chosen professional later down the line. 

Notary Publics

Notary publics can help with issues such as powers of attorney, instructing lawyers overseas and verification of documents. As they deal with international work already, notary publics are used to working remotely with their clients. 

One thing to note is that if signatures are required (and they cannot be provided digitally) then there may be some delay in waiting for documents to arrive and be sent back again. Though, in some cases, documents can be couriered especially if they are time sensitive.  

Whether their services can be carried out 100% remotely very much depends on the type of issue you need help with. Though for the most part, they should still be able to help you as it’s familiar territory due to the nature of their work. 

Good points to note

Accessing legal services online is going to require all parties having a reliable internet connection, and ideally a good level of technical ability. 

Legal discussions are highly confidential, so it’s unwise to hold calls in a public place. This is one of the main differences with hiring remote legal professionals, as in person you’d normally meet at their office.

As you cannot verify the professional in person, you should do plenty of research before you agree to let them take on your legal issue. Ask plenty of questions such as whether they have worked on similar cases before. 

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