Author: Attorney-at-law Aleksandar Popović

There isn’t a lawyer who hasn’t encountered a client calling to ask for “just a two-minute consultation.” Most people making such calls don’t see a problem with it. However, for us lawyers, the biggest issue isn’t the inability to charge for that “two-minute work”—the real problem lies in the serious consequences that can arise from such an approach, both for the client and the lawyer.

In the middle of focused work, the lawyer’s phone rings. An unknown number appears on the screen. Often skipping introductions (perhaps to avoid taking up more of the lawyer’s time), the caller jumps straight into explaining their issue: “I inherited a house from my late father, but he wasn’t registered, the house is still under the name of the neighbor from whom my father bought it, but the neighbor has no heirs…” All in one breath. Without giving the lawyer time to verify what was said over the phone, the client expects advice delivered in the same breath—advice backed by the lawyer and their hard-earned reputation.

A two-minute call doesn’t give the lawyer time to verify the facts shared by the client. This isn’t to say the client is lying (although that does happen in practice)—more often, clients don’t understand certain terms they use or apply a term with a different meaning, thinking it means the same. Such a situation could lead the lawyer down the wrong path, and with them, the entire case, if not thoroughly checked.

LEGAL COUNSELING IS A PROCESS 

In the case mentioned above, the lawyer first needs to verify certain facts: the caller’s identity and status as an heir, whether the property is registered in the cadastre, who holds the rights to the property, what type of rights they hold, whether there are multiple holders in a co-ownership arrangement, whether there are any notes or encumbrances on the property… Skipping any of these steps can be fatal to the success of the case. Typically, none of this is mentioned in a two-minute call, and even if it were, the lawyer is obligated to verify it.

RISKS FOR THE CLIENT 

Legal advice only carries full weight if given after thorough fact-checking, analysis of legal provisions, research of case law, and in some cases, consultation with more experienced colleagues. Just as a doctor cannot diagnose and prescribe medication through a two-minute phone call, a lawyer cannot provide legal advice in that manner either.

Receiving legal advice through a two-minute call can give the client a false sense of security, which may be disastrous as the case progresses. The short-term savings made this way often end up being paid back multiple times over to correct a mistake that could have been avoided from the start—simply by scheduling a paid consultation with a lawyer. The most expensive problem is the one that could have been avoided.

A casually given piece of advice can lead a client without legal representation down the wrong path, resulting in permanent loss of rights. Often, that right cannot be restored through a new proceeding led by a lawyer, as it involves a matter that has already been adjudicated!

RISKS FOR THE LAWYER

A lawyer may only give advice they stand behind. This isn’t just about reputation—it’s also about material liability. A lawyer is responsible for any damage the client suffers due to the lawyer’s mistake. Additionally, providing free legal assistance in this manner constitutes an act of unfair competition. This means that by giving free two-minute advice, the lawyer violates the norms of the Code of Professional Ethics of Lawyers and may be sanctioned by the disciplinary court of the Bar Association.

SO HOW SHOULD IT BE DONE? 

To get the most out of legal counseling (and the money paid for it), the client needs to be prepared for the conversation. Ideally, all documentation should be sent to the lawyer in advance for review. This way, the time paid for the consultation isn’t wasted on clarifying facts the lawyer could have seen in the documents, and the conversation can immediately move to concrete strategies for solving the problem.

CONCLUSION 

When legal counseling is approached with mutual respect for time, the chances of success in the case increase significantly. The client must not expect “Google over the phone,” but must be aware that they are speaking with a professional whose advice carries responsibility—unlike free “do-it-yourself” legal advice from ChatGPT or forums, which bear no accountability for what is said.

A two-minute call, although it may seem practical and free, often turns out to be the most expensive legal advice.