FAQ

You can request an appointment by phone, by email at contact@filipoiu.legal or through the contact form on our website. Briefly describe the issue you need help with and mention any approaching deadlines so we can arrange the consultation. Please also let us know whether you would prefer an in-person or remote consultation.

Briefly describe your situation, what you would like to achieve and any deadlines you need to meet. Your enquiry may concern a legal question, a contract, a negotiation or ongoing proceedings. If there is an existing case, provide the case number and the court or authority handling it, if known. Please also identify the people or companies involved so we can check for any potential conflict of interest before discussing your situation in detail.

Prepare the documents relevant to your situation, such as contracts, notices, court summonses, judgments, proof of payment or correspondence with the people involved. It is helpful to arrange them chronologically and note the key events and questions you would like to discuss. If you have recently received a document, also keep the envelope or message through which it was delivered so the date of receipt can be checked.

Yes. You can request a consultation based on the information and documents you have, and the lawyer can explain which additional documents are needed and how to obtain them. However, some conclusions and recommendations may only be possible once the missing documents have been reviewed. When booking, let us know which documents you are missing so we can determine how the initial consultation can help.

Contact us as soon as possible and explain what you received, when you received it and what deadline is stated. Have the complete document ready, together with the envelope or proof of delivery, so the lawyer can assess the situation and the steps required. Do not wait until you have gathered every other document before requesting an appointment. Requesting a consultation does not suspend or extend any applicable deadlines.

The cost depends on the complexity of the issue, the documents that need to be reviewed and the time required. At Filipoiu Legal, the initial phone discussion about your situation and whether we can assist you is free of charge. If a detailed consultation or document review is needed, we will explain the fee in advance so you can decide whether to proceed.

Fees are agreed with you, taking into account the complexity of the matter, the workload, the time required and the services requested. They may be charged as a fixed amount, at an hourly rate or through a combination of arrangements permitted by law. The fee, the services covered and the payment terms are recorded in the legal services agreement.

The fee covers the services specified in the legal services agreement, such as a consultation, drafting documents or representation at a particular stage of proceedings. Depending on the matter, separate expenses may include court fees, expert fees, translations, notarisation or travel. Clarify at the outset what the agreed fee includes and which additional costs may arise.

Payment in instalments may be agreed with the lawyer, depending on the services requested and the circumstances of the matter. If you would prefer to pay in instalments, mention this before entering into the agreement. If this arrangement is agreed, the instalment amounts and payment dates will be set out in the legal services agreement.

You can request reimbursement of your lawyer’s fees and other costs incurred in proceedings, subject to the applicable legal rules. This may be possible in both civil and criminal proceedings, including in connection with a civil claim brought within criminal proceedings. Recovery is not automatic: the costs must be claimed and supported by evidence, and the court decides who must pay them and how much, depending on the outcome and the applicable rules. The amount awarded may be lower than the amount you paid, without changing the fee agreed in your legal services agreement.

A legal services agreement sets out the terms of your engagement with the lawyer. It identifies the parties, the agreed services, the fee and the other applicable terms. Before signing, check which activities and stages of the matter are covered, the payment terms and each party’s responsibilities.

No. You can book a consultation without also engaging the lawyer to represent you in court. If you later wish to continue working with us, we will separately agree on the services required, the fee and the terms on which those services will be provided.

Yes. Information and documents entrusted to the lawyer in the course of their professional work are protected by professional secrecy under the applicable law. This duty covers discussions, correspondence and documents relating to your matter and continues after the engagement ends.

For the initial review, you can email documents, preferably as scanned PDF files, or bring them to your consultation. Make sure they are legible and complete, including attachments and signature pages. Keep the originals: the lawyer will tell you whether and when they need to be presented or submitted as part of a procedure.

You can end the engagement by notifying the lawyer, preferably in writing. Ending the agreement does not remove your obligation to pay for services already provided and expenses incurred on your behalf. Clarify the arrangements for your documents and any approaching deadlines so you can continue handling the matter yourself or with another lawyer.

At the start of the engagement, we agree on how we will communicate, for example by phone or email. We keep you informed of relevant progress, documents prepared and steps requiring your decision or involvement, whether the work concerns legal advice, document drafting, negotiations or court proceedings. Please let us know if new information arises or you receive documents that may affect the agreed work.

Not always. Depending on the type of proceedings, your role in them and the procedural steps required, your lawyer may be able to represent you without your attendance. However, personal attendance is necessary in some situations or may be ordered by the court. If you receive a summons, send it to your lawyer so they can check whether you need to attend and how to prepare.

If new requests or stages arise that are not covered by the initial agreement, we discuss the additional work required, the costs and the relevant deadlines. This might involve reviewing another contract, taking part in negotiations or filing an appeal. Any extension of the services and the corresponding fee are agreed with you and recorded in an addendum or a new agreement, as appropriate.

Yes. You can seek a second opinion on a legal issue, a contract, a negotiation or ongoing proceedings. For a useful assessment, prepare the relevant documents and explain which points you would like clarified. Seeking a second opinion does not, in itself, end your engagement with the lawyer already handling your matter.

No. A lawyer can assess your prospects, explain the risks and propose a strategy, but cannot guarantee the court’s decision. The outcome depends on the evidence, the applicable law and the circumstances of the case. A realistic assessment should address both the strengths of your position and the difficulties you may face.