13 Things to Consider Before Hiring an Attorney in New Zealand

Still finding the best attorney that will meet up to all your immigration processes? Then, you are in luck because this guide has all the information that will help you when hiring an attorney in New Zealand. As an immigrant, while having a lawyer isn’t compulsory, it is still recommended to help you make legal decisions you can’t make on your own. So, if a high rate of success is assured with an attorney involved, why risk it?

I understand how important your immigration case is to you, and to lend a helping hand, this article contains the top 13 factors to consider when hiring an attorney in New Zealand in order to select the finest of them all.

Key Points

Hiring an immigration lawyer is highly recommended due to the complexities of New Zealand’s immigration laws.

An immigration lawyer provides professional advice and eligibility assessment and helps with document preparation.

Lawyers stay updated on changes in immigration law, ensuring your case aligns with the latest legal requirements.

A good immigration lawyer increases the chances of success by managing your immigration process efficiently.

Should I Use a Lawyer for New Zealand’s Immigration?

Yes, I recommend that you hire an immigration lawyer. Moving to a new country comes with complex legal steps that you might have zero knowledge of, and keeping up with the constantly evolving immigration laws doesn’t come easy. But when you hire and work with an immigration lawyer who truly understands the complexities of the system, it can greatly impact your immigration journey.

So if you have been struggling with visa application, looking for advice on eligibility, or navigating changes in immigration law, an experienced immigration lawyer can offer essential support to you till success is assured. Let’s look at the roles of these immigration attorneys.

The Role of an Immigration Lawyer

Navigating immigration can be complex and daunting, but having a professional immigration attorney can save you the stress that comes with immigration processes. Let us quickly look at the essential role an immigration lawyer can offer you:

#1. Professional Advice

A lawyer specializing in immigration serves as your trusted companion, helping you navigate the complex system of New Zealand’s immigration process. They possess a deep understanding of the laws, regulations, and processes, allowing them to offer legal and current advice that is tailored to help you succeed in your case.

#2. Eligibility Assessment

Because you are traveling to a totally new country, there are some requirements that you need to meet as an immigrant. An experienced immigration attorney will evaluate the qualifications you need to move to New Zealand. This includes your education, work experience, and other important factors needed to find the best immigration options for you.

#3. Getting Documents Ready

Applying for immigration usually involves a lot of paperwork. A lawyer specializing in immigration will help you collect and arrange the required documents, making sure that your application is thorough and aligns with the standards established by Immigration New Zealand (INZ). This will also help you stay organized and alert.

#4. Staying up-to-date

Immigration law changes almost all the time in New Zealand, and the ability to keep up with the trends is very crucial in the long run. An expert immigration attorney should be able to pay close attention to updates from INZ and explain how these changes could affect your immigration goals.

Key Considerations When Hiring an Attorney in New Zealand

Before you hire a lawyer in New Zealand, it’s important to understand the legal services you require. It’s important to consult a lawyer if you’re facing immigration-related issues or are under a criminal investigation, as they can provide valuable guidance on the decisions you need to make.

#1. Legal issue classification

Based on your specific issue, which can be property law, criminal defense, immigration matters, family law, or business-related disputes, getting under these specifications can be a great way to start.

Generally, lawyers have different areas of expertise, so ensure that the attorney you intend hiring in New Zealand has a lot of experience related to your particular situation. A newly qualified lawyer might not be the best choice for you unless your case doesn’t require much expertise and practice in the field.

#2. Qualifications and Credentials

Before you choose any lawyer to represent you, make sure they have outstanding qualifications and credentials that prove their expertise in relation to your specific case.

Also, ensure that the lawyer is qualified to practice law in New Zealand by checking their credentials and licenses with trusted legal associations like the New Zealand Law Society.

#3. Reputation

Before hiring an attorney in New Zealand, take some time to look over testimonials from their previous clients and check out online reviews about their past cases. It’s best to hold off on meeting with an attorney or spending a lot of money until this research is finished.

#4. Experience

Take into account the attorney’s experience, especially with cases like yours. More experience leads to a deeper understanding and skillful management of complex legal matters.

A knowledgeable expert will provide guidance if there’s a risk of wasting money through their involvement. Hiring an experienced lawyer can help ensure that the outcome of your case is clear and manageable.

#5. Communication

Clients often feel frustrated due to inadequate communication from their attorneys. Before you hire a lawyer, make sure to check if they are open to communicating via phone calls, emails, and letters.

If you’re struggling to communicate with your lawyer, it might be a sign that they aren’t the best fit for your case. Please feel free to ask any questions you may have. Steer clear of complicated responses.

#6. Fee Structure

In New Zealand, the fees charged by lawyers can differ based on the type of legal matter you are dealing with.

When thinking about hiring a lawyer, keep in mind that they might charge an hourly rate or work on a contingency fee basis. There might also be some potential costs and additional charges, so be ready for them.

#7. Representation Agreement

Before anything goes on, there should be an official representation agreement that must be signed by both parties. It should be written in simple language for easy understanding.

It’s best to steer clear of any attorney who is against having a formal representation agreement. It’s already a red flag since their career are already built in the legal industry, so they should be able to uphold that.

#8. The success rate

Find out how successful the lawyer has been in handling cases like yours. Although previous outcomes can’t guarantee future success, but they can provide insights on how the attorney has been handling cases in the past.

Stay alert if your lawyer starts making predictions about how your case will turn out. A professional lawyer understands the various potential outcomes that could occur.

#9. Availability

Remember that when you hire a lawyer in New Zealand, it’s important to choose someone who is easy to reach. Connecting with your lawyer whenever possible is essential for keeping informed about local laws and regulations. To calculate their availability, just keep track of how long it takes them to pick up your calls or return your emails.

Check if the lawyer has enough resources and time to take on your case. A lawyer who has a lot on their plate might not give your case the attention it deserves, and I’m sure you don’t want that.

#10. Compatibility on an individual level

If you’re not satisfied with how a lawyer is managing your case, you have the right to let them go and source for another that meets your expectations.

Make sure you don’t choose an attorney just because of their connections or popularity.

#11. Outstanding Reputation and referrals

Instead of searching for a good New Zealand Employer lawyer or Immigration lawyer, it’s wiser to rely on excellent reputation and references. Reach out to your close friends or family; they may be able to connect you with an immigration lawyer who can recommend someone great to work with. And if you have someone who has experienced the same case as yours, then they can provide you with all the information you need.

#12. Location

Your lawyer should be someone you can easily reach out to. Once you’ve thought about their area of expertise and experience, you can select someone who is conveniently located and not just easy to reach on a call or email. Numerous respected lawyers and firms operate across multiple states. It’s always a good idea to hire a lawyer who specializes in one state.

#13. Skill in Persuasion

Your immigration attorney needs to be able to reassure you that your case is in good hands with them so you can feel at ease and not worry at all. Even when something goes wrong, they should be in the best position to strategies and get back into the game till success is assured.

HERE IS A FREE COMPLETE CHECKLIST TO GUIDE YOU EVEN FURTHER:

Immigration Lawyer Selection Checklist.PDF

DOWNLOAD NOW!!

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Lawyer in New Zealand?

The price of legal services can change based on the kind of help you’re looking for. While some immigration attorney charges their client based on an hourly rate, some charge based on a flat fee or fixed rate, so it depends on which suits you better.

Hourly rates usually fall between $200 and $800, and fixed fees often begin at $250. Signing a cost agreement is crucial, particularly when you’re being billed by the hour, to prevent any surprise charges.

Final Thought

Taking these factors I have listed in this guide into account when selecting an immigration attorney will help you find the ideal professional and expert to handle your case and address your immigration needs.

Are you searching for the perfect immigration lawyer in New Zealand? Interested in discovering more? Feel free to reach out to us today via the comment section to discover how best I can assist you. Good luck!

13 Things to Consider Before Hiring an Attorney in New Zealand

Key Points

Should I Use a Lawyer for New Zealand’s Immigration?