Whatever type of legal case you are involved in, it is likely to be very important to you. In criminal cases, the stakes are so high that your freedom might depend on the representation you have.
The majority of lawyers are competent at their jobs and will give you the best possible representation. However, the reality is that lawyers are not immune from making errors. What causes lawyers to make mistakes? Here are two main causes:
1. Lack of experience and training
Any lawyer that you hire owes you a duty of care. This means that they must act upon your instructions and in your best interests.
Your case may be complex, but the firm you’ve approached simply doesn’t have the expertise that you require. The firm doesn’t want to lose your business, so they act like they are well-equipped to handle your case. Dishonesty like this could land you in serious trouble when your case is heard in court.
2. Being overworked
In any area of law, there is never a shortage of cases. The more cases a firm can take on, the more profitable the firm becomes.
This is all well and good, but it should never come at the expense of good service to a client. An overworked lawyer might make errors in law because they are so rushed. They might even miss crucial deadlines that grind your case to a halt.
Did legal negligence affect your case?
There is a difference between errors and negligent or reckless professional conduct. If your representation has acted in a way that cannot be deemed as anything other than reckless or inappropriate, then you may be able to hold them to account.
Seeking the right legal guidance will help set the record straight and ensure that the same thing does not happen to you again.