Do you cross your fingers and hope for the best when faced with a legal problem (or pay through the nose for advice)? How to get legal help without it costing a fortune

Business mistakes are costly. Getting the right advice can be costly too. Which do you choose? Enter into an agreement which could cost you thousands if it goes wrong, or risk a huge legal bill for what appears to be simple advice? A difficult decision, particularly if you are a small or medium sized business. Big companies don't have these problems There are two reasons for this. First, they may have an in-house lawyer to whom they can turn if a legal issue arises. By getting advice early, the in-house lawyer can stop the legal issue turning into a business disaster. Second, big companies have money to spend on lawyers. Unfortunately, small or medium sized companies often don't have that luxury. So, where do you turn? Introducing the Legal Hotline: affordable legal help for small and medium sized businesses A lawyer died and arrived at the pearly gates. To his dismay, there were thousands of people ahead of him in line to see St. Peter. But, to his surprise, St. Peter left his desk at the gate and came down the long line to where the lawyer was standing. St. Peter greeted him warmly. Then St. Peter and one of his assistants took the lawyer by the hands and guided him up to the front of the line into a comfortable chair by his desk. The lawyer said, "I don't mind all this attention, but what makes me so special?" St. Peter replied, "Well, I've added up all the hours for which you billed your clients, and by my calculation you must be about 150 years old!"   Lawyers can have a bad reputation because they can charge a lot for what appears to be simple advice. You've heard the stories and the jokes. These stories have caused lawyers to be unapproachable to most small and medium sized business owners. The Legal Hotline is designed to change all that and is central to the Approachable Lawyer philosophy. What can I say? Having Mike on tap every month is a huge relief. We have often found that we may have just one question we need a legal answer for. This may happen once in a month it may happen 20 times. The bottom-line is we now know that if anything crops up we can get an answer and fast so we don’t end up breaking any employment laws that we haven’t managed to read the latest legislation and updates on. Not only that we don’t have to wait around for the “every six minute billers” to gather every man and his chargeable dog to become involved in a quick “yes you can or no that’s illegal” decision. Unlike you average lawyer Mike has a sense of humour (yes we we’re surprised too!) and his well worded letters are a constant source of delight with their clever use of the English vocabulary and boundaries within the law. As a business owner that likes to have an answer “NOW” Mike has also demonstrated he has the patience of a saint who can handle the most “challenging and demanding” of clients. Sarah Lee, Creative Director, IT Maniacs   Why the Legal Hotline makes sense The Legal Hotline is specifically designed for entrepreneurial business owners. It works on a simple premise: proactive legal advice at an affordable cost, not reactive advice at an extortionate cost. If you sign up for The Legal Hotline this is what you get: As many "Sub 30" consultations as you like, without charge. How many times have you wanted to call a lawyer but stopped in your tracks because you didn’t want to incur a huge bill? That’s why this service is called the Legal Hotline. It doesn’t matter how many times you use it, there is still no charge. It is only if the question takes longer than 30 minutes to answer that you move into the realm of consultancy. However, my experience is that most normal queries can be handled within that half an hour time frame.     Reduced consultancy fees. As a Legal Hotline member you also lock yourself into reduced consultancy fees. So, if something does go wrong, it won't cost you as much to engage the Approachable Lawyer to sort it out as it would for non members. Hotline consultancy fees are well below the average for a lawyer of 11 years experience. For example, Premium Hotline members lock themselves into $200 + GST per hour.     How is the Legal Hotline proactive? The Hotline and reduced consultancy fees are only useful if you use them. In other words they are reactive solutions. The problem with reactive solutions is that you may not know when you need advice. That's why the Legal Hotline teaches you how to build a sustainable business model. Here's how:     2 year Elearning course: when you become a member of the Legal Hotline you immediately start a 2 year Elearning course which teaches you how to build a sustainable business model. The Elearning course consists of short videos on the various stages of building a business accompanied by other resources which can be found in the member's section of this website. Click here to see a sample. Value = $1500     Discounts on templates and other legal solutions. Part of The Approachable Lawyer philosophy is to offer legal solutions in affordable packages, e.g. the Small Business Dismissal Manual, the Employment Agreement Tool Kit etc. At least four times a year you get a discount on one of these products of up to 20% off. More products will be added to the range shortly. Value = approx $500 per year     Access to the reports and checklists on this website for FREE: you will see that there are lots of reports and checklists on this site. As a Legal Hotline member you get access to all these reports and checklists for FREE including any new reports and checklists which come on line whist you are a member. These reports and checklists are the equivalent of obtaining a legal opinion and are written to help you get the most from your business. Value = $600 As one of New Zealand’s fastest growing franchises, the potential for employment disputes is huge. Prior to using Michael and the Hotline we had already been taken to mediation by one employee and advised to pay compensation because of a slip up in process. I learnt my lesson from that case, and two years ago retained Michael to advise us and our franchisees. Since then we have only had one employment dispute which was withdrawn by the employee before reaching trial. The biggest benefit of the Hotline is that our franchisees are able to call Michael to get advice before they have a problem. As a result we rarely have employment issues. For that reason alone the Hotline is invaluable, but it also enables me to offer added value to any person considering buying an Esquires franchise. I would recommend the Hotline to any business owner and particularly to any franchisor wanting to add value to its franchise model. Stuart Deeks, Managing Director, Esquires Coffee Houses, New Zealand. So without even picking up the phone or using the consultancy, you get a minimum $4500 of products and services. With the ability to ring me up when you want and the lower consultancy rates you get an insurance policy for your business. The only difference is that instead of a policy, you get a real person you can actually talk to. What questions can I ask? As a Hotline member, you can ask any questions you like on any area of law. If I don’t know the answer straight away off the top of my head, I will look it up for you or point you in the right direction. Will you always be available? When you sign up as a Hotline member you get access to my mobile phone number. If I don't answer I guarantee to get back to you within 24 hours unless I am overseas or out of range for some reason. I always tell members in advance when I am going overseas or when I will be not contactable. In those circumstances you can contact me by email and I guarantee a reply within 48 hours. If I fall short of any of these guarantees I will refund the cost of membership for that month. What if I never call you to ask for advice? If you never claim on an insurance policy, that’s good news. But that doesn’t mean that you would dispense with the policy. You need it because accidents happen. The Legal Hotline is similar, but not the same. The difference is that your insurance policy won’t reduce your chances of having the accident. But, by being a member of The Legal Hotline you receive ongoing advice on a monthly basis through the reports and checklists. These will reduce your chances of being caught up in legal disaster and save you lots of money!   Even though I have only one employee, I think this will be very useful to me as I already have some issues to sort out with him. I am also looking at employing a part time person, so I have some questions on this already. I will most certainly refer your services to my clients as well. Johan Grobler, Tetra Electronics, Auckland What are the options? There are two Hotline packages: Basic and Premium, each designed for different users. The Basic version costs just $40 a month (inc. GST) and with that you lock yourself into consultancy fees of $250 + GST per hour (compared with $300 + GST per hour for non members). The Premium package is $45 a month (inc. GST) and locks you into consultancy rates of $200 + GST per hour ($100 + GST below the normal rate). Choose your package depending on whether you are likely to need me for consultancy. NB. You only have to use 1.5 hours of consultancy per year to get value from the Premium package. Here are how the numbers work (all figures are GST exclusive): Premium Package Cost Example if you use 1.5 hours of consultancy per year       12 x $40 = $480 1.5 hours x $200 = $300 TOTAL = $780       Basic Package Cost Example if you use 1.5 hours of consultancy per year       12 x $35.55 = $426.66 1.5 x $250 = $375 TOTAL = $801.66 So you choose how much you pay - now, there's a novel concept for a lawyer!! Not every business can be a Hotline Member Since there are only so many hours in the day to answer Members' questions, membership is restricted and is always under review. Currently, there are vacancies but places go each month as new client's come on board. Once the doors close there will be a waiting list with preference given to those at the top of the list. That's why it is important to apply now, so even if you miss out you get on the list. How to get on the Hotline List Becoming a Hotline Member is a two stage process: Complete the Hotline Application Form: the purpose of the application form is to assess your business's suitability for membership. Acceptance is not automatic. Complete an Automatic Payment Authority or set up a regular payment direct with your bank (use the bank details on the form). You can cancel your membership at any time after a year. Once you have completed both forms, either email or fax them back to me (09 358 2715). You will receive an email once your application has been processed and I aim to process applications within 24 hours.

1. The monthly fees are currently at their lowest. By signing up you get to keep that fee for a minimum of 5 years irrespective of any price increases in the interim;
2. Once you sign up you start your Elearning course and begin to receive your member's bonuses.

Do you have any questions?

If you have any questions about The Legal Hotline service which I haven't answered on this page then please feel free to ask either by calling me (09 358 2725) or completing the online form below.

Name:
Email:
Question:

Regards,

Michael Smyth LLb. (Hons.), Dip, Cert
The Approachable Lawyer

Ps. If you buy one nice coffee or tea every working day you will spend on average $100 per month ($5 x 5 x 4) which is not deductible and won't grow your business. Membership of the Legal Hotline is less than half that and you can deduct it as an expense!

To apply for membership of the Legal Hotline click here or on the telephone

Testimonials for the Legal Hotline

"Now we rarely have employment issues"
As one of New Zealand’s fastest growing franchises, the potential for employment disputes is huge. Prior to using Michael and the Hotline we had already been taken to mediation by one employee and advised to pay compensation because of a slip up in process. I learnt my lesson from that case, and two years ago retained Michael to advise us and our franchisees. Since then we have only had one employment dispute which was withdrawn by the employee before reaching trial. The biggest benefit of the Hotline is that our franchisees are able to call Michael to get advice before they have a problem. As a result we rarely have employment issues. For that reason alone the Hotline is invaluable, but it also enables me to offer added value to any person considering buying an Esquires franchise. I would recommend the Hotline to any business owner and particularly to any franchisor wanting to add value to its franchise model. Stuart Deeks, Managing Director, Esquires Coffee Houses, New Zealand.

"I was far less stressed because of the constant support"
I didn't think I'd need a lawyer just because I was hiring an employee. Then things went wrong. Quite wrong, I must add. And boy, was I glad I had a water-tight employment agreement. What also helped was that I was able to let go of the employee at 2 days notice, simply because of the constant advice, and the solid paperwork I had in place. And it was all thanks to the Approachable Lawyer. I did have to spend a few anxious days while dismissing my employee, but I was far less stressed, because of the constant support and the fact that I could get in touch with Mike at a moment's notice and have my worries resolved. I'd say any business owner would be foolish to not have access to a hotline such as this. Sean D'Souza, Psychotactics.com

"The Legal hotline is cost effective and provides value for money"
The whole area of employment law is disconcerting at the best of times for a novice and engaging someone in this area is generally a costly exercise. However, I have found the Legal Hotline to be very cost effective service providing good value for money. The service is confidential and backed up with timely and accurate advice. Refreshingly, Michael uses non jargonistic language which demystifies otherwise difficult to understand legal terms. Most recently we had a redundancy situation and by using Michael I am confident that we followed an informed process and got the right result for all concerned. Overall, we get a speedy service and I would, and frequently do, recommend the Approachable Lawyer to other businesses we deal with. Lynlee Wilson, The People Group

"I figured I couldn't really lose out...I don't feel nervous about getting a massive invoice for a 2 minute conversation"
The Hotline seemed like a good plan to me because I figured I couldn’t really lose out. Because I had used Michael previously I knew it was going to be a reputable service and not someone after a quick buck. The great thing about the Hotline is that I can call or email anytime. I don’t feel nervous about getting a massive invoice for a two minute conversation but I still get good legal advice. The response times are quick and the service efficient. I would have no hesitation recommending the service to other business owners who can rely on the approachable nature of Michael and the Hotline. Gary Richards, Jag Design, Auckland

"The level and standard of service exceeded our original expectations"
Throughout the period that Michael has been associated with New Zealand Gymnastics he has impressed us with his professional approach to client service. In relation to both legal and sporting issues we have found him to be a very knowledgeable person who undertakes thorough research of the topic and its application to the business of New Zealand Gymnastics. New Zealand Gymnastics consider that both the level and standard of services that Michael provides far exceeds our original expectations. His 'after hours' accessibility is an additional benefit that befits his knowledge and passion for sport. It is of great assistance to us that he is available to follow through and provide additional assistance as and when required. This may be in dispute resolution, members meetings or topical presentations to the Board of Directors or the Annual General Meeting. Marie Stechman - Executive Director, New Zealand Gymnastics

'I have some questions on this already.."
Even though I have only one employee, I think this will be very useful to me as I already have some issues to sort out with him. I am also looking at employing a part time person, so I have some questions on this already. I will most certainly refer your services to my clients as well. Johan Grobler, Tetra Electronics, Auckland

"As a member of the Legal Hotline, if the law changes so does my agreement..."
My old agreement was not only out of date but also hard to understand. When I chose Michael to update it for me it was mainly because I have 100% faith in his ability to tailor an agreement for my business without me having to think too much about it. When the agreement arrived in my inbox I found it was very simple to understand. The only bits I needed to fill in were on the front page and most of that had already been completed for me. The addition of my logo on the bottom also gave it that "made to measure" feel which is exactly what I was looking for. I now don't have to worry about my agreement going out of date since, as a member of his Legal Hotline, if the law changes so does my agreement. Gail Godfrey, J T Jamieson Financiers Limited

"I would definitely recommend you and the Hotline to other businesses because of your expertise and because you are approachable"
I knew from the outset that you were professional and that I could rely upon you. That's why I signed up for the Legal Hotline. When I started using the Hotline my perception didn’t change. I like the way I can talk to you personally, the fact that you are a specialist in your field, and that your documentation is easy to read. I would definitely recommend you and the Hotline to other businesses because of your expertise and because you are approachable. Bryan Berry, Bryan Berry Panel Beaters

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Contact Michael Smyth
PO Box 91053 AMSC
Auckland 1030
New Zealand
P: +64 9 358 2725
F: +64 9 358 2715
M: +64 21 320 171
E: michael@approachablelawyer.com

In the UK:
P: +44 709 204 5664
F: +44 709 204 5664