How to prepare for your first meeting with a Spanish lawyer

Terms used

• Hoja de encargo — The hoja de encargo is the written engagement letter from a lawyer, setting out the work to be done and the fees.
• Procurador — A procurador is the court representative who files papers and receives notices for you in court cases, paid separately from your lawyer.
• Justicia gratuita — Justicia gratuita is free legal aid for people whose income is below set thresholds.
• Servicio de Orientación Jurídica — The Servicio de Orientación Jurídica is a bar association service giving first legal guidance, often free or low cost.

Key rules

• Engagement letter: Ask for a written hoja de encargo before the lawyer starts work.
• First consultation: It may be free, low cost or charged, so ask the price when you book.
• Secrecy: The lawyer must keep your meeting secret even if you never hire them.
• Free help: Low-income readers may get justicia gratuita, and the bar association's orientation service is often free.

What to expect from the first meeting

Treat the first meeting as a way to judge the lawyer and the likely cost. Arrive with your papers in order and a list of questions. The documents list below shows what to bring.

Put your story in a short written timeline: what happened, and when. It saves time and usually saves money.

Questions to ask

Ask these, and note the answers:

• Who will handle the case: the lawyer you meet or someone else?
• What is the fee model, and what is the total estimate?
• Does the price include VAT?
• What extra costs could come up, such as a procurador (the court representative), a notary, court fees or expert fees?
• What is the payment schedule?
• What strategy and outcomes are likely, and how long will it take?
• Could you be ordered to pay the other side's costs if you lose?
• Which languages does the lawyer work in, and how will you be kept updated?

Ask for a written engagement letter, the hoja de encargo. It should set out the work and the fees. Do not start without it.

What the first consultation costs

Free or low-cost first consultations are common, but many firms charge a modest fee. Complex matters are often charged. Ask the price when you book, so there are no surprises.

Your local bar association (Colegio de Abogados) usually runs an orientation service, the Servicio de Orientación Jurídica. It is often free or low cost. If your income is low, you may qualify for free legal aid, called justicia gratuita. Services vary by Colegio, so ask yours.

Is the meeting confidential?

Yes. Lawyers in Spain must keep what you tell them secret. This covers consultations and people who never become clients, even if you do not hire the lawyer. A lawyer who breaks this duty can face disciplinary and criminal consequences.

The FAQ below covers these points briefly.

Documents you need

• Passport or national ID, to prove who you are.

• Your NIE (foreigner identification number) or TIE (foreigner identity card), if you have one.

• Proof of address.

• All contracts, deeds, court notices, letters, emails, invoices and receipts about the matter.

• A short written timeline of what happened and when.

Frequently asked questions

Is the first consultation with a Spanish lawyer free?

Sometimes: Free or low-cost first consultations are common in Spain, but many firms charge a modest fee, and complex matters are often charged. Ask the price when you book.

Can I get free legal help in Spain if I have a low income?

Yes, free legal aid (justicia gratuita) is available if your income is below set thresholds. Ask your local Colegio de Abogados how to apply. The thresholds and the process vary by area.

Does the lawyer have to keep my first meeting secret if I don't hire them?

Yes, a lawyer must keep everything you say confidential even if you never hire them. This covers consultations with prospective clients.