Why schedule an initial legal consultation in Romania

This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Concrete situations must be analysed individually, during a consultation, based on the documents in the case and the legislation applicable at that time.

1. Why it is worth starting with an initial legal consultation

Most people end up seeing a lawyer late, when the legal problem has already escalated: the hearing date is approaching, contracts have been signed, a criminal investigation is underway, enforcement has started, or a contract has already “exploded” into litigation. In reality, the initial legal consultation is often the most valuable moment in the relationship between client and lawyer, precisely because it takes place before major or irreversible decisions are made.

An initial legal consultation – whether online, in person or by phone – gives you the chance to:

understand your situation from a legal perspective (not just intuitively or based on what you have heard from others);
clarify your rights and obligations in relation to the other parties (the state, employer, contractual partner, co-owners, institutions, etc.);
see what your real options are, together with the advantages and risks of each option;
receive a basic plan of action – what is urgent, what can wait, and what should definitely not be done.

In other words, a consultation is not a “luxury”, but a way to turn a stressful situation into a problem that can be managed rationally. In many cases, the cost of a legal consultation is tiny compared to the cost of wrong decisions taken “by feel”.

2. What exactly is an initial legal consultation?

An initial legal consultation is a formal meeting between a person facing a legal issue and a lawyer. It can take place:

in person, at the lawyer’s office;
online, via videoconference (Zoom, Teams, Google Meet, etc.);
by phone, where the nature of the problem and level of detail allow it.

Regardless of the format, several elements are essential:

it is a discussion covered by lawyer–client privilege and professional secrecy;
it is not just a casual chat, but a structured analysis of your situation in a limited time;
it involves a fee (consultation fee), agreed in advance with the lawyer;
it does not automatically oblige you to continue with the same lawyer in all later stages (criminal investigation, civil proceedings, enforcement, etc.), but it gives you the information you need to decide.

Typically, during an initial legal consultation, the lawyer will:

listen to your account and help you separate the legally relevant facts from background details;
ask questions to understand the context (documents, deadlines, correspondence, what you have officially received, etc.);
review the key documents (contracts, procedural documents, letters, e-mails, notices, court decisions, orders);
briefly explain the legal framework of your situation;
present the possible scenarios (favourable, middle-ground, unfavourable) and the associated risks;
propose a plan of action (what you should do immediately, what to prepare for the coming weeks or months);
give you a broad picture of the likely future costs (fees, taxes, expert reports, time).

3. When you should schedule an initial legal consultation

There are situations where it is obvious that you need a lawyer (you are summoned by the police, you receive an indictment, a court decision, or an enforcement notice). But there are also “grey areas” where many clients hesitate, although it would be much more efficient to speak to a lawyer preventively.

3.1. Before signing an important contract

Whether it is a sale–purchase agreement, a services agreement, a senior employment contract, a shareholders’ agreement or an insurance policy, it is usually cheaper to pay for a consultation than to “repair” a poorly negotiated or unbalanced contract later.

During the consultation, the lawyer can:

explain what risks are hidden in seemingly harmless clauses (penalties, deadlines, unilateral termination, extended guarantees, far-reaching liability, non-compete clauses, etc.);
point out what should be changed or added before you sign;
help you formulate alternative proposals for negotiation;
tell you, candidly, to what extent the contract is reasonable and worth accepting.

3.2. When you are summoned in a criminal case or suspect that you might be

In criminal matters, timing is crucial. Waiting “to see what happens” can be an expensive strategy. An immediate consultation after you find out about a complaint, search, summons or suspicion allows you to:

understand your procedural status (witness, suspect, defendant) and the differences between them;
learn what rights you have (to remain silent, to a lawyer, to access the file, to propose evidence, etc.);
avoid rushed statements made without understanding the consequences;
avoid taking irreversible decisions (such as hasty admissions, accepting responsibility for facts you do not fully understand, or contradictory statements).

A well-conducted criminal law consultation can radically change how you enter a case – and, in many situations, how you exit it.

3.3. When you are involved in an employment or commercial dispute

In employment disputes (dismissal, disciplinary sanctions, unpaid salary rights) or commercial disputes (non-performance, debts, delivery issues, penalties), people tend to react emotionally: impulsive e-mails, self-drafted notices, categorical refusals. In an initial legal consultation, a lawyer can help you to:

understand where you stand legally (what the contract says, what the law says, what practice says);
assess your real chances in potential litigation;
choose between negotiation, formal notice, complaints to authorities or going straight to court;
draft documents (notices, responses, resignations, offers) in a form that protects you.

3.4. When you have already received an official document and do not know how to react

You might receive a tax assessment decision, a contravention report, a termination notice, a letter from a creditor, a notice of enforcement from a bailiff, or a letter from a public authority. Often there are strict deadlines for filing objections, complaints or appeals, and missing them can severely limit your options.

An initial legal consultation helps you to:

understand what the document actually means, beyond the technical language;
learn what deadlines you have and what happens if you do not react;
prioritise: what is urgent, what can wait, what is optional;
decide, based on real information, whether it is worth contesting or whether it is more efficient to negotiate.

4. Online, in-person or phone consultation? Pros and cons

Technology has changed the way you can interact with a lawyer. A legal consultation no longer necessarily means losing half a day travelling to Bucharest or to the law office. In practice, you have three main options:

4.1. Online (video) legal consultation

A video consultation is often a very efficient compromise between quality and convenience:

you do not spend time travelling and can join from anywhere (another city or another country);
you can share documents in real time (PDFs, photos, scans);
you have communication that is very close to a face-to-face meeting (you see reactions and non-verbal cues);
you can schedule the consultation more easily at flexible times.

This option is particularly suitable when:

you live in another city but want a lawyer in Bucharest or a lawyer from a specific city;
you are abroad and have legal problems in Romania;
you have a very busy schedule or reduced mobility;
your documents are already in electronic format and can be sent quickly.

4.2. In-person consultation at the lawyer’s office

In some situations, it is preferable or even necessary to meet the lawyer face to face:

when you have a large volume of paper documents, files, or older records;
when the lawyer needs to examine the originals of certain documents (contracts, handwritten documents, original signatures);
when you feel more comfortable discussing sensitive topics in a dedicated physical space;
when your presence is needed near the court or other authorities in Bucharest.

An in-person consultation has the advantage of a more formal structure, better focus (without the distractions of home) and, sometimes, a stronger human connection, which matters in the lawyer–client relationship.

4.3. Phone consultation

A phone consultation can be useful in certain contexts:

when the problem is relatively narrow and does not require complex document review (for example, clarifications about a received document or a procedural deadline);
when you are on the move or cannot join a video call;
when you already have a history with the same lawyer and only need a targeted follow-up.

However, for new, complex or sensitive situations, video or in-person consultations are usually preferable, as they allow a more nuanced analysis and direct access to documents.

5. What an initial legal consultation is NOT

It is equally important to understand what an initial consultation does not mean, so that your expectations are realistic:

it is not a guarantee of outcome (“I guarantee you will win” – a serious lawyer will not make such promises);
it is not the complete resolution of the case in one hour (especially in complex criminal, fiscal, commercial or urban planning matters);
it is not just a chat or informal phone opinion – it is a professional service, paid, for which the lawyer assumes responsibility;
it does not automatically mean you are bound to sign a long-term retainer with the same lawyer – you can decide later whether you want to continue the collaboration or not;
it is not an online article – the lawyer works with your specific situation, your documents, and the current legal framework.

6. How to prepare for a legal consultation so you get maximum value from it

The quality of a consultation also depends on how you prepare. A lawyer can do a lot for you in 60 minutes – but only if he or she receives relevant information and documents. Here are a few simple steps:

6.1. Gather the relevant documents, but not “everything you have at home”

Try to select the documents that are directly related to the problem:

the main contract and any addenda;
significant written correspondence (e-mails, notices, responses, demands, warnings);
procedural documents you have received (summons, minutes, orders, judgments, writs of execution);
bank documents, invoices, statements, if relevant;
photos, plans, drawings, if the problem has a factual dimension of that kind.

You do not need to send or bring whole boxes of unsorted paperwork. Start with the key documents; later, if representation begins, the lawyer can ask for additional evidence.

6.2. Draft a brief chronology of events

Even a simple note (Word document, note on your phone, e-mail) where you set out, chronologically, what happened – with approximate dates – helps enormously:

“in month X I signed the contract”;
“in month Y the first problems appeared”;
“on date Z I received this notice”, etc.

This way, during the consultation, time is not wasted trying to remember “around when it was” or “I think two years ago”.

6.3. Think about your main questions

It may sound paradoxical, but many clients come to consultations without knowing what they actually want from that discussion, apart from “to somehow fix it”. Before scheduling the consultation, write down a few questions such as:

“What are my real risks in this situation?”
“What could happen in the worst-case scenario? And in the best?”
“What options do I have in the short term?”
“What are the next steps if I choose to…?”

These questions help the lawyer focus on what really matters to you, not just on abstract explanations about the legal system.

6.4. Be honest and complete in your account

No legal consultation can be efficient if it is based on incomplete or “cosmetised” information. The lawyer is not a judge, not a prosecutor, and not “the other side’s attorney”. He or she can help you only if they know also the less pleasant side of the story:

what you actually signed, not just what you think you signed;
what you really said in previous discussions, not just what you wish you had said;
what you actually did, not only what you would like the file to show.

Any detail you hide now is likely to appear later in documents or in the statements of other parties. It is better for the lawyer to know about it from the start, in a confidential discussion, than to be surprised in court.

7. How the fee for an initial legal consultation is set

A legal consultation is a professional service, just like a medical examination or a technical expert’s assessment. It therefore involves a fee. Usually, the lawyer will inform you of:

the estimated duration of the consultation (for example, 45–60 minutes);
the format in which it will take place (online, in person, by phone);
the fee (a fixed amount for the consultation);
whether part of the consultation fee can later be deducted from a broader fee if you subsequently sign a full legal services agreement.

In many cases, the cost of a legal consultation is much lower than:

the financial loss you might suffer if you sign an unbalanced contract;
the fine or damages at stake in a dispute;
the expenses generated by a wrong strategy in a criminal or tax case.

For a broader discussion of how lawyer’s fees are determined, you can also read (in Romanian): “Despre onorariul avocațial: cât costă serviciile unui avocat și cum se calculează”.

8. The advantages of online or phone consultations for clients outside Bucharest or abroad

Many clients in Romania or in the diaspora want to work with a lawyer in Bucharest or a lawyer with a particular specialisation (criminal law, tax law, administrative litigation, employment law, etc.), but are discouraged by distance. Online or phone consultations remove most of these obstacles:

you do not have to travel to Bucharest just for an initial discussion;
you can send your documents in advance, in scanned and well-organised format;
you can schedule the consultation taking into account your time zone if you live abroad;
you can decide later whether a physical trip is needed for certain steps or for the trial.

Moreover, an online consultation gives you access to a wider pool of specialised lawyers, not just to the options immediately available in your town. For certain types of cases (criminal, tax, urban planning, disputes with central authorities), it can even be beneficial to work with a Bucharest-based lawyer who is familiar with the practice of courts and prosecutors in the capital.

9. Common myths about legal consultations – and why they should be debunked

9.1. “I will go to a lawyer only if I end up in court”

In reality, many legal problems can be resolved or defused before they reach court. A well-crafted position paper, a negotiation, a contract adjustment or a properly drafted settlement can prevent years of litigation. The legal consultation is, in fact, the perfect moment to avoid a trial – not only to prepare for it.

9.2. “I can just ask the internet – why pay?”

General information from the internet can be a starting point, but it does not replace a lawyer’s analysis. Articles, forum discussions or social media posts:

do not know your specific situation and are not tailored to your documents;
may have been written for a different legal context (older laws or different facts);
do not come with any professional liability for the recommendations they contain;
can mislead you through incomplete examples or incorrect interpretations.

A legal consultation gives you a personalised answer, with reasoning, options and consequences explained in language you can understand.

9.3. “The lawyer will tell me whatever I want to hear anyway”

A serious lawyer is not just someone who “confirms” your decisions. On the contrary, one of the most valuable things you receive in a consultation is often a lucid, sometimes uncomfortable opinion. The lawyer’s role is not to promise the impossible, but to tell you:

what your real risks are, even if they are unpleasant to hear;
which outcomes are reasonably likely and which scenarios are unrealistic;
which compromises may be acceptable and which are not worth making.

You may leave the consultation with confirmation that your intuitive strategy was good – or, on the contrary, with the conclusion that a completely different approach is needed. Both outcomes are valuable.

9.4. “The consultation is just a marketing tool”

An initial consultation is not just an opportunity for the lawyer to “sell” themselves; it is a service in its own right. Even if you later decide not to continue the collaboration, you walk away with:

a legal diagnosis of your situation;
a list of scenarios and risks identified;
a basic action plan for the near future;
a more realistic view of what a case or dispute actually entails.

In practice, it is a distinct legal product with direct value, not just a preliminary stage before the “real” case begins.

10. Conclusions: why you should not postpone seeing a lawyer when a problem appears

Whether you are dealing with a criminal case, a civil or commercial dispute, an employment issue, a conflict with an authority, enforcement proceedings or an important contract you are about to sign, the wise first step is to clarify the legal context through a dedicated consultation.

An initial legal consultation gives you:

clarity about your position and the applicable rules;
an understanding of real risks and reasonably likely outcomes;
concrete options, not just theoretical scenarios;
a practical action plan – what to do now, what can be postponed, what should be avoided;
a professional view of the costs and duration of any future case.

Postponing a discussion with a lawyer out of fear or in an attempt to “save money” can generate much higher costs later – financial, time-related, or in terms of impact on your personal and professional life. By contrast, a well-structured one-hour discussion with a specialised lawyer can make the difference between a problem that spirals out of control and a situation that is managed strategically.

If you recognise yourself in any of the scenarios described above – or if you simply feel that “something is not right” in a legal relationship (contract, employment relationship, dealings with authorities) – it is worth scheduling a consultation, whether online, in person or by phone, and asking your questions directly, with your documents at hand. That is where any serious legal strategy starts.