Alex meets a lawyer after losing a job. Two issues appear in the client's account: the dismissal and an unpaid salary. The lawyer needs to understand both, but first checks the order of events. The salary was due on Friday. The employer dismissed Alex the following Monday. Alex received a letter at the meeting and also emailed the manager about the missing payment. The manager has not replied. Before discussing a possible claim, the lawyer asks for the employment contract, the dismissal letter and the email. These documents may provide evidence of what happened. When you listen to a client, separate facts from opinions. “My employer dismissed me on Monday” gives you a fact to check. “They treated me unfairly” tells you how the client sees the situation. Both matter. Use short questions to fill any gaps, then summarise the account so the client can correct anything you have misunderstood.

Recebes um cliente estrangeiro cujo relato tem contradições nas datas. Conduz a recolha de factos, separa o que ele sabe do que supõe e confirma o essencial. Ele quer garantias de que vai ganhar. Explica o que ainda não podes dizer.

Escreves ao cliente a resumir a reunião e a pedir o que falta. Escreve 3 a 6 frases em inglês. Resume os factos como os percebeste, assinala o que não está claro, pede documentos e indica o passo seguinte.