CLIENT COUNSELLING

Submitted by:

Ch.L S Srikari (180550013)

D.Pallavi (180550018)

K.Sai Divya (180550031)

 INTRODUCTION

Lawyers are problem solvers. Whether it is about defeating a huge corporation in a multi
million-dollar lawsuit or protecting the rights of a single parent in a pro bono case,
lawyers help such CLIENTs to work through the problems they face. The success in
helping CLIENTs often depends on how effective lawyers are in developing a strong
professional relationship with them. Strong professional relationships build on trust,
comfort, and communication. Effective CLIENT interviewing and counseling can
facilitate the development of a strong professional relationship with CLIENTs. It is
preferable for a counselor to opt for a conversational style while talking with the
CLIENT. The counselor must make the CLIENT feel comfortable, make him trust the
process and make him realize that the questions inquired are only for the good of the
CLIENT in having a better stance and ultimately find an appropriate action of remedy for
the problem.

WHOM ARE WE GOING TO INTERVIEW

The CLIENT counseling was conducted on an offline platform on 27th of August 2022 at
about 3:30pm. The counselors were contacted by Mrs.RANI who is a software Engineer
in Delhi. She got married to Mr. BALU in the presence of their respective families at a
temple in Delhi in 1992, And from the said wedlock, in 1993 a son was born to them.
BALU decided to live separately from RANI, she expects love and 1992, And aid and
physical security, respect from balu. RANI is clueless about her husband’s behavior. After
we have actively listened, and after we have worked on understanding our clients’ goals,
values, and feelings, we move on to the analysis portion of the interview where we asked
certain details to get a further insight into the case. After that we gave the potential legal
issues related to our clients’ stories and offered to propose potential solutions to our
clients’ problems and discuss the risks and benefits related to these solutions, also
mentioning an outline of the additional work that which was used to perform in order to
represent the CLIENTs in the best manner.

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 QUESTIONS ASKED

GREETINGS

ATTORNEY-1: Hello Mam may we please know your name

CLIENT: Mrs.RANI

ATTORNEY-1: Did you have any problems finding this place? Was it easy to locate?

CLIENT: It is centrally located and was quite easy to locate and I had no problem in
locating it.

ATTORNEY-2: So, Mrs. RANI how did you come to know about this place
CLIENT: My friends and relatives told me about this place and since it is one of the best
firms I personally decided to come here for advice.

ATTORNEY-2: So, I would like to introduce you to ourselves my name is X and this is my
co-council Y
CLIENT - Thank you and nice to meet you both.

ADMINISTRATIVE QUESTIONS

ATTORNEY-2: I would like to explain you about our policies (Goes on to talk about the
fee statements, non-disclosure policies, conflict of interest etc.)

Mrs.RANI: I understand and acknowledge

ATTORNEY-1: I would further like to explain you about our no withdrawal rule from
our side whereas the CLIENT can always opt for a better option and please be clear in
communication, we are always there to listen to you and will do nothing which is against
your conflict of interest.

Mrs.RANI - I acknowledge and understand.

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 INFORMATION GATHERING

ATTORNEY-1: So, mam I would like to ask you certain questions which will help us
establish your issue and help us understand it, this will further help us in providing you with
solutions or remedies to your said issues.
CLIENT: - Okay I understand.

ATTORNEY-2: So Mrs.RANI please explain us your entire issue in detail.

CLIENT: - So,this issue I am facing is regarding the conflicts between me and my

husband It all started around in the year 1993 when our child was born.My Husband
started living separately I expect love and affection, financial aid and physical security,
respect from my husband but he always fails to meet my expectations in this regard and I
don’t know the reason behind him living separately from me.

So, I would like to know if I can challenge this and what are the possible remedies
available for me.

ATTORNEY–2: Mrs.RANI this issue is a challengeable one so before giving you our
suggestion we would like to get into the facts a bit deeper. It would be more appreciable if
you cooperate with our questions and answer us genuinely.

CLIENT: Okay.

ATTORNEY – 1: Ok Mrs.RANI could you please elaborate about your marriage like the
date time and venue of your marriage

CLIENT - I and BALU got married on September-24-1992 at around 9:19 A.M Delhi

ATTORNEY-1: Did you both married with the acceptance of your elders?

CLIENT - Yes. Me and BALU got married as per the Hindu Customs and in the presence
of all our family members, relatives and friends.

ATTORNEY-2: Do you have any proof of your marriage?

CLIENT- yes, I do have our marriage certificates.

(Client hands over her marriage certificate to Attorney)

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ATTORNEY-1- How many children do you and BALU together have?

CLIENT- I have 1 child, X (29/11/1993)

(Client hands over her child birth certificate to the Attorney)

ATTORNEY-2- Is your marriage love or arranged?

CLIENT - Arranged

ATTORNEY-2- Is dowry given by your in-laws during marriage or not?

CLIENT - NO

ATTORNEY-2- Have he demanded any particular amount of dowry?

CLIENT -No, he hasn’t

ATTORNEY-1: Is your marriage a forced one or is it done with the consent of you both?

CLIENT: Our marriage is done with both of our willful consent.

ATTORNEY-2: Can you brief us the exact period from when the conflicts have arisen
between you both?

CLIENT: Yes, I think it all started from the year of our son born i.e., in the year 1993

ATTORNEY-2: Can you specify the exact date?

CLIENT: There is no exact date for the conflict, but from start of 1993 we started having
small misunderstandings and later it evolved into bigger conflicts. As I was pregnant, I
expected more love, affection and care from Mr. BALU but in return there was just a big
conflict every time

ATTORNEY-1: Is there any specific reason for the conflicts to arise?

CLIENT: I don’t have any idea about it.

ATTORNEY-2: Have you ever tried to know the reason behind sudden change in his
behavior?

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CLIENT: Yes. There are multiple times of asking him to let me know the actual reason
behind his anger, the discussion would again result into a conflict.

ATTORNEY-1: What made you feel like he has not been treated you with love and
affection?

CLIENT: when I was pregnant and I have to visit hospital he never turned up to the
hospital with me

ATTORNEY-2: Did he like to have this child with you?

CLIENT: Yes, there is no problem with the birth of our son. But after the birth of our son,
he decided to live separately from me

ATTORNEY-1: So as per per your knowledge you don’t know the reason behind Balu’s
behavior and his lack of love towards you?

CLIENT: Yes Mam.

ATTORNEY-2: Have you tried to talk things clearly?

CLIENT: Yes. I always try to calm him down and I always dreamt a peaceful life with him

ATTORNEY-1: Have you ever tried to make up with him

CLIENT: Yes, I have tried many times

ATTORNEY-2: did he ever mention about living separately.

CLIENT: There are conflicts between us but he never mentioned about living separately
and this decision was drastic and sudden.

ATTORNEY-1: Is there any chance that your in laws implicated this this behavior in him

CLIENT: Iam not sure about it but there is always a good relationship between us

ATTORNEY-1: You have different options such as judicial separation,

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Restitution of Conjugal rights, and Divorce, what do you want to choose? Or shall we
guide you?

CLIENT: I have no clue about the above-mentioned remedies

ATTORNEY-2: As per Section 10 of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 of A judicial separation
is a legal process by which a married couple is formally separated, despite being legally married
for a period of one year

ATTORNEY-1: As per Section 9 of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 Restitution of conjugal
rights, when either the husband or wife has withdrawn from the other's society without
sufficient justification, the aggrieved party may petition the district court for restitution of
conjugal rights and as per Section 13 of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 DIVORCE as you know

ATTORNEY-2: Hence for time being we will give some time to Mr.Balu so that if he can
change his decision or we shall proceed with legal action.

CLIENT: Thank you for your advice.

ATTORNEY -1,2: Ok. Thank you for your information. We will look into it and try our best to
solve.

REASON BEHIND USING THE ABOVE-MENTIONED QUESTIONS

Firstly, the question asked during the greeting process was used to relive the mood and make
the client comfortable with the setting and the environment around. Secondly the
administrative questions were explained so that a professional image of the firm is created
and its social accept like wavering of fee and confidentiality principles are highlighted.
Thirdly the informative question asked were precise so as to get the entire Gist of the problem
without any loopholes occasional nod and responses by yes were given to keep the client
engaged and entertained. The questions about marital relationship were asked in order to
understand the relationship of the client with his wife and to establish motives. Finally,
solutions were proposed which would benefit the client the most and which would have the
least chance of being challenged.

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 TECHNIQUES USED

Techniques used are very subjective to the listeners and based solely and need to
be tailored according to the client.

THE TECHNIQUES USED IN THIS SESSION ARE

I. ACTIVE LISTENING - It is a technique that is used in counseling, training, and

solving disputes or conflicts. It requires that the listener fully concentrate,
understand, respond and then remember what is being said.

2. EMPATHY- In counseling, empathy is an expression of the regard and respect

the counselor holds for the client whose experiences may be quite different from
that of the counselor. The client needs to feel "held", understood as well as
respected.
3. EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION- It was based on multiple parts that
communication be clear and efficient. This technique is basically used in order to
leave no fractions in the client's statements.
4. AVOID CHAMPARTY- It basically means dealing illegally and charging
higher fees this has been avoided as the firm is that of a purely professional
nature.
ADVICE GIVEN

After having riveting conversation with the client (Mrs.RANI) , with our expertise in family
matters we suggested her to have a healthy companionship that supports to repair
disagreements and conflicts between them .The marital purpose is where each supports the
other’s hopes and dreams ,working together strengthens marriages and overcome difficulties
we suggested to empathize her husband’s concern as well as to re-consider Mr.Balu’s
decision about living separately and gave him a period of 6 months to change his decision.

CLIENT: Well, thank you very much, your services have been appreciated.
ATTORNEY-1: It is our pleasure Mrs. RANI. if you have any others issues or queries,
we will always be there so feel free to contact us regarding any matter to the case.

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ATTORNEY-2: Lastly, we would need your phone number in order to notify you of
any further developments regarding your case

CLIENT: I will mail it to you along with my others credentials.