I’m not happy with my lawyer: What should I do?

Many people feel that their lawyer is not good enough for the job. Remember that working practices will vary between cultures and your lawyer may be good even if they do not act in the same way as a lawyer from your home country.
Before appointing a new lawyer, you should try to solve the problem by letting him/her know exactly what you are unhappy about and looking for ways to improve his/her services.
If that does not work, you should consider appointing a new lawyer. Be aware that a new lawyer will usually not take on your case until you have paid your fees to your former lawyer. Your former lawyer needs to be informed that you have changed lawyer so that s/he can forward your file to your new lawyer.
It may not be possible to change a court appointed or state-funded lawyer. If this is the case and you are not happy with your lawyer, you should consider whether you can afford to appoint a privately-funded lawyer.

This is not a substitute for legal advice and, because every case is different and legal systems around the world vary so much, we cannot guarantee that the answers will be applicable to your own case. For advice about your own situation, you should talk to a lawyer qualified in the jurisdiction where you are being prosecuted.

The information contained in this document is provided for information purposes only and is not intended as legal advice, nor does it constitute legal advice. Whilst we endeavour to keep the information up to date and correct, Fair Trials International makes no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or applicability to individual cases of the information contained in this leaflet. Any reliance you place on such material is therefore strictly at your own risk. Fair Trials International disclaims any liability to the fullest extent permissible by law for any loss or damage of any kind arising from the use of the information provided.

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