2015-06-26
537
Exercise 9
Telephoning – Making arrangements to meet
It’s important to know how to arrange a meeting or an interview with a client – what to say, what to expect, how to be polite.
The following are phrases which can help to make up a telephone dialogue between a lawyer and his/her client. (It’s not their first meeting which is usually arranged by the secretary). In this case either the lawyer calls the client or the client to the lawyer.
| Speaker 1 | Speaker 2 |
| Speaking! ……. speaking. What seems to be the problem? Can we meet (day, time)? Let me see my schedule I’m afraid I’ll be busy. Will (day of the week) be O’K? Sorry I can’t make it. What about? Shall we say ….. then? | Hello, can I speak to …….? This is ……. I’m calling about….. Just a minute I’ll check up with my sdiary Can we arrange a meeting? Is it possible to meet up? I wonder if you are free on ….. at ….. Do you mind meeting on …..? |
Role play tasks
1.
Student A. You’re John/Johanna Kingston, lawyer at Raddick & Dalton. You’re calling your client Mr/Ms Pat Gallway to arrange a meeting because you have some new information concerning his/her investment plans. You’re free tomorrow morning and the following day lunchtime.
Student B. You’re Pat (Patrick or Patricia) Gallway. Your lawyer Mr./Ms John/Johanna Kingston is calling you to arrange a meeting. It’s about your investment plans. You can make it only the day after tomorrow.
2.
Student A. You’re Sam (Samuel or Samantha) Green. You’ve filed a lawsuit against the producer who has sold a batch of faulty mobile phones to your store. The producer started to call you insisting to settle the case and offering money. You’re calling your lawyer, Alice/Alex Norton to arrange a meeting. You want to know what to do.
Student B. You’re Alice/Alex Norton, a junior partner in Kronwill & Kronwill. Your client Sam (Samuel or Samantha) Green whose product liability case you’re preparing for a trial. The client wants to arrange a meeting.
Unfortunately, the only time you can meet your client is tonight.
