Client Interviewing

Allens Arthur Robinson are the proud sponsor of the UTS LSS Client Interviewing Competition - many thanks to Allens for their ongoing support!

 

What is Client Interview?

A team of two solicitors interview a potential client playing out a fact scenario that involves a legal issue. Prior to the interview, the solicitors only have a brief idea of what the issue is in relation to. The overall objective in a client interviewing competition is to clearly ascertain the legal issue or problem the client has, provide some feedback as to what options are available to the client in these infant stages and attempt to work with the client to achieve an outcome they would like to see whilst maintaining a legal perspective.
The client interview is conducted as if you were meeting the client for the first time and they have not used you or the firm you're employed with before. Therefore a discussion of fees and the taking of information is necessary prior to delving into the body of the interview.

 

Why Participate?

Taking part in Client Interview carries with it perhaps the least amount of preparation time as solicitors have limited knowledge of the legal issue at hand and therefore cannot do any specific research or review prior to the interview. Participation in the competition allows students to develop and receive feedback on the important skill of client interviewing which almost every practicing lawyer has had to go through.

The interview is not so much about the outcome you get for the client as much as how you arrive at that outcome. For example, the client might want his house back as a landlord has locked him out. The client may be irate about the situation and keep asking questions like "Can you get my house back"? In this situation a client may need to be calmed down by the solicitor and reminded that he/she will do their best to get a positive outcome but in order to reach that they need the client to give full details of the legal problem.

 

How Do I participate?

Throughout semester one and two each year, the UTS Law Society holds senior and junior client interviewing competitions. In preparation for the ALSA Conference, the senior client interviewing competition is held in semester one. The winner of the senior client interviewing competition is often invited to compete at the ALSA Conference. The junior competition is held in semester two. Accompanying the junior client interviewing competition is a seminar series to educate and help junior competitors develop prior to the competition getting under way.

Those of you who are interested in Client Interviewing and would like more information can contact Amy Maguire - Competitions (Professional Skills) Officer

 

When Does the Competition Take Place?

As a guide, the senior and junior competitions are scheduled to begin in the fourth week of each semester with a seminar taking place in weeks one to three.
The competition is held on campus in the law or business faculty rooms.

 

Do I Need any Previous Experience?

No experience is required to compete in the junior competition or senior competition. However, for those wishing to compete in the senior competition, it is advised that they should have competed or completed a client interview prior to entering the senior competition.

 

Registration and Dress Code?

Registration for the Client Interview competition will open in weeks one and two of each semester - check out the LSS notice board for more information. Solicitor briefs for the preliminary rounds will be released ASAP after the draw has been finalized but competitors can assume a weeks preparation time prior to competing. Briefs will be available be made available via email.

The dress code is business attire.

To view documents and resources relating to this competition, please click here.