Finding a lawyer is the primary issue faced by clients who need legal services. The legal services market is oversaturated with offers and it is difficult for foreign clients to understand who they should turn to for legal assistance in Russia and who should be avoided.
Things to avoid:
1.Online aggregators
There is a large number of aggregators where you can find a specific lawyer and apply for online consultation. Despite the large number of lawyers on these portals and the low cost of their services, there is no quality control. If you do not have a law degree, then you may face unpleasant surprises after the acceptance of the services. Services are often provided without a contract. This leads to risks on the client side. Deadlines are often missed and there is no responsibility for this. The lawyer may disappear, not pick up the phone. It is better to pay a little more, but get quality services.
2. Accepting cash
For a good law firm, accepting cash is always a risk and inconvenience of subsequent accounting and control. This is not due to any specific prohibitions, it is due to professional ethics and advisory regulation.
3. No initial consultation
An initial consultation can be carried out by phone, spending a minimum of a lawyer's time. If you are invited to the office without consultation, it is better not to agree. When you arrive at the office, you will be forced to conclude a contract using aggressive sales and psychological pressure methods.
4. Free lawyer and free legal help
There is the Federal Law of November 21, 2011 N 324-FZ "On Free Legal Aid in the Russian Federation." However, its use is very specific. Many gray "legal companies" use the link to this law as illegal advertising. Only the following persons are entitled to receive free legal aid: Citizens whose income is below the subsistence level, Disabled persons of the 1st and 2nd groups, Veterans of the USSR and RF and Heroes (war and labor) of the USSR, Russian disabled children and orphans, Adoptive parents, guardians and persons who wish to become them, if the appeal is carried out in the interests of orphans, Elderly citizens and disabled people living in hospitals of social services, Disabled citizens recognized by a court, Citizens affected by the emergency. The list of services within the framework of free legal aid is limited by some social (rights and guarantees), family, housing and communal services, and some other needs of the above persons. Only the following organizations can provide free legal assistance: State federal and municipal institutions, Educational institutions setting up legal clinics, Non-profit organizations - legal clinics included in a special state list. Commercial organizations do not provide free legal assistance on the basis of Law 324-FZ.
5. Universal lawyers
A lawyer cannot understand everything at any question. In several branches of law, it is already doubtful, but possible. But to provide any services, especially in combination of criminal law and civil law is already unprofessional.
Our attorneys in Russia offer the following services:
- Written legal advice on Russian legislation – from $80
(when buying a subscription for 2 or more consultations per month - $70)
- Legal support for subsidiaries / branches and representative offices
- Registration services (registration, modification, liquidation of subsidiaries / branches and representative offices)
- Accounting services for subsidiaries / branches and representative offices
Contact us
Author: Anna Dorozhkina