Recently, we successfully assisted a client, Mr. A, in resolving a complicated case. It was a long, drawn-out battle, but from our client’s initial anxiety to the final resolution of the case, we were able to bring it to a successful conclusion. Here’s a look at how it all unfolded.
Mr. A’s Story:
“I was sued before and attended a few hearings, but later my lawyer became unreachable. All the case documents were held by the lawyer, and I don’t have any copies. I couldn’t understand the emails sent by the court in English, so I had no idea if the case was already closed or not. Now I urgently need to leave the country, but I’m unsure if I can even exit. I’m too scared to buy a ticket and head to the airport. What should I do?”
These questions left Mr. A completely at a loss.
Case Background:
While working in the Philippines, Mr. A was sued over a dispute. Through an agent’s introduction, he hired a local Philippine lawyer to handle the case and attended several hearings. The lawyer then assured Mr. A that everything would be taken care of, and he didn’t need to appear in court anymore. Believing he had found a reliable lawyer, Mr. A entrusted everything to him. However, a year later, when Mr. A wanted an update, he discovered the lawyer’s phone number was no longer in service, and the agent who introduced the lawyer was also unreachable. The lawyer and case information seemed to have vanished into thin air.
When Mr. A approached us, he was in a tough spot. He was eager to leave the Philippines, but with no clarity on his case status, he feared an exit ban or even being blacklisted.
FEILONG LEGAL’s Approach:
Understanding Mr. A’s predicament, FEILONG LEGAL immediately arranged an urgent meeting to provide him with detailed guidance. Our service team then stepped in swiftly and followed these steps to resolve the issue:
1. Checking Case Status:
In the Philippines, the judicial system is decentralized, and each city has its own independent judiciary. We dispatched staff directly to the court handling Mr. A’s case to check the records. It turned out that the case had not yet reached a verdict. Mr. A’s previous lawyer did not file any follow-up documents after the hearings, leaving the case in a “pending” state.
2. Assessing Exit Risk:
After determining the case status, we conducted a comprehensive risk assessment for Mr. A. Under Philippine law, if a case is unresolved and involves financial disputes or criminal liabilities, it could potentially affect one’s ability to exit the country.
3. Providing Translation and Legal Advice:
We helped Mr. A translate the court emails and thoroughly explained the current progress of the case and the next steps. Our lawyer also advised Mr. A to appoint a new attorney promptly to prevent further delays that could negatively impact the outcome.
4. Engaging a New Lawyer to Follow Up:
With our assistance, Mr. A quickly engaged a new lawyer to take over the case. As a result, the issue was resolved without any delays, allowing Mr. A to proceed with his travel plans without any exit restrictions.
FEILONG LEGAL’s Reminder:
If you’re facing similar issues—missing case documents, language barriers, unclear case progress, or concerns about exiting the country—don’t hesitate to contact FEILONG LEGAL. In complex cross-border cases, missing information and communication barriers can lead to serious consequences. Don’t let your case become a “dead end,” and don’t get overwhelmed by language difficulties or lost paperwork. We’re here to help you find a solution quickly and efficiently!