HOW TO PREPARE FOR CLIENT COUNSELING COMPETITION

by Sidhant Kampani, RMLNLU, Lucknow

PURPOSE OF THE CLIENT COUNSELLING COMPETITION

The Client counselling Competition promotes knowledge and interest Among law students in

the field of preventive law and counselling functions of law practice. It also happens to

encourage students to develop planning, interviewing and analytical skills in the lawyer-client

relationship in the law office. interviewing and advising are a major part of a lawyer’s work.

All too often, lawyers are assumed to have the listening and questioning skills necessary to

conduct an effective interview. Regrettably, not all lawyers have these skills and abilities.

This Competition Provides an excellent opportunity for valuable educational and cultural

interchange changes between students, law Teachers, and lawyers.

NATURE OF THE COMPETITION

As the name suggests, client counselling is all about making your client feel that you are as

concerned about his problem as he is. The Competition simulates a consultation, in which

two Students of law, acting as lawyers (attorneys / solicitors / legal practitioners) shall be

presented with a client matter. A brief written memorandum is given to them that identifies

the general nature of the subject-matter of the client 's problem (e.g., that a client wants

advice about a problem arising from building a house, that the customer faces a shoplifting

charge, etc.) before of the interview is started. When the client enters your room, he talks

about his problem and he lays bare everything he's been through. Since he's already grieved,

the first step that the student takes is to calm him down. Choose a conversational style while

talking to your client, or questioning them. Being too professional might not be taken very

well by both the client and the judges. The students conduct an interview with an individual

who plays the client’s role. Students are Expected to obtain relevant information, explore

with the client his or her preferred outcome, outline the nature of the problem, and present the

client with a means (or range of alternatives, if appropriate) for resolving the problem. Start

inquiring about his problem once the client feels comfortable with you, and try to determine

what remedy he is looking for. Make him trust you. The exercise to build confidence will

earn you bonus points. Even though his problem can sound complex, give him some ray of

hope and tell him that his issue will be resolved and you will support him to the best of your

abilities.

Here is an example of a client counselling session in a competition

Main criteria for judging the participants in a client counselling competition

Judges observe and evaluate how well you can advise your client and provide him with a

practical solution to his problem. Judges are not there to test how well you know the law,

how well you can explain it to your client and flaunting your legal knowledge to them is a big

no. So, the students are evaluated against specific criteria emphasizing the use of questioning

listening, planning, and analytical skills in a lawyer/client interview. Once the evaluation of

interview has been completed by the judges, the students are called back in and the judges

provide a quick overview of the team's handling of the consultation period and post-

consultation.

The primary purpose of the competition is to promote a healthy lawyer-client relationship.

Judges also observe the level of comfort that you have developed with the client, and whether

the client is willing to come back to you for further assistance.

So, the Main criteria for judging can be:

Ability to explain the law and legal terms in a simple laymen language – excessive

legal jargon is to be avoided.

Comfort level between client and the lawyers

How well-versed you are with the laws with which you’ll be dealing.

Client satisfaction - whether your resolution or approach to his problem would make

him come to you again.

What is the Problem faced by participants in a client counselling

competition?

Your performance largely depends on the client client that you are provided. His

reactions and responses could make or break your show. Also, the client’s problem is

another important factor.

Negotiating the fee with your client – has to be done with great care, bearing in mind

his / her occupation and financial position.

The competition is on-the-spot. There are no announced solutions and one will never

know exactly what the client's question will be like. However, there may be a general

theme on which the problems will be based. One doesn’t know how the other teams

have performed as they are not pitted against each other.

Have good knowledge of the remedy or the grievance redressal system under that law.

The client does not need your knowledge of law but instead needs a solution to his

problem. So, if you are suggesting a remedy, make sure you have legal backing.

Other things to keep in mind while participating a client counselling

competition

Adopt a standard conversational style of speech - be a human first, then a

lawyer.

Gradually introduce your client to the law involved - don't bombard him

with your legal knowledge.

Be slow and steady - gaining the confidence of the client is the first key

to an effective client consultation session.

Never guarantee the effectiveness of a suggested solution – false

promises are dangerous, and may disappoint the judges. Don't sound too

confident or too complacent. A lawyer can never provide 100% guarantee

with his solution.

Offer him pro bono services if he does not seem to be in a very good

financial position.

LIST OF SOME CLIENT COUNSELLING COMPETITIONS

The Louis M. Brown and Forrest S. Mosten International Client Consultation

Competition

NLS ADR Tournament for Client Counselling, Mediation, Negotiation, NLSIU,

Banglore

NLIU-Link Legal Client Counselling Competition – NLIU, Bhopal

NUJS Khaitan Client Counselling Competition- NUJS, Kolkata

Adv. Ram Jethmalani Client Counselling Competition – SLS, Pune

National Level Client Counselling Competition – K.C Law college, Mumbai

UPES National Client Counselling Competition – UPES, Dehradun

National ADR Competition - Christ, School of law, Bangalore

VIPS Dispute Resolution and Client Counselling Competition – VIPS, Delhi

National Client Consultation Competition - NorthCap University, Gurugram

IMS Unison University Client Counselling Competition - IMS Unison University,

Dehradun