ABSTRACT
This chapter sets out the considerations to bear in mind when approaching the lawyers and others for advice and assistance. The basic rule is that an hour of advice before we are in trouble is worth many hours after trouble has started. Trade associations, chambers of trade and commerce, the CBI, universities and many others will help with information or by directing one to others who do have the information. Solicitors usually work as single practitioners, when they will rarely handle commercial contract matters, or as members of partnerships. Larger partnerships are more likely to include individuals and departments with the appropriate specialist knowledge. The consulting industry is made up of everything from enormous partnerships of international consultants and consulting engineers with hundreds of specialists in many different areas, down to single individual consultants.
