Concerns About Lawyer and Protection Claim Process

[E^8]

Here’s the revised version with the correct date:
I applied for protection in November 2022. My case has not yet been heard due to postponements. My hearing was scheduled once for a virtual session on June 4, 2024, but it was later postponed.

I contacted my lawyer yesterday, and she responded vaguely, saying she would "see" what happens.

I am considering changing my lawyer but am concerned that a new lawyer would need time to catch up on my case before the next hearing (which currently has no scheduled date). However, I am frustrated with my current lawyer due to a lack of professionalism and excessive fees.

For example, when I asked her to apply for my work permit, she demanded $1,000—claiming that $500 was a processing fee and the rest was for the application. However, I am aware that there is no application fee for a work permit for protection claimants.

I have already paid her $2,500, as per our contract, with the remaining balance due after the hearing approval. If I switch to another lawyer, can she still demand the remaining payment even though she will no longer be representing me? Also, will changing lawyers affect my claim in any way?

It has been too long waiting for my hearing. Has anyone else experienced this? If so, what should you do in this situation?

I would appreciate any advice.

 

[Keida]

It won’t affect your claim, mine was postponed maybe 5 times and it was heard on the 10th of January, my first hearing was scheduled July 2022 and it got postponed till it was January 10th 2025, I had to change lawyer too and mine worked out perfectly fine, change the lawyer if you have to.

 

[Keida]

Here’s the revised version with the correct date:
I applied for protection in November 2022. My case has not yet been heard due to postponements. My hearing was scheduled once for a virtual session on June 4, 2024, but it was later postponed.

I contacted my lawyer yesterday, and she responded vaguely, saying she would "see" what happens.

I am considering changing my lawyer but am concerned that a new lawyer would need time to catch up on my case before the next hearing (which currently has no scheduled date). However, I am frustrated with my current lawyer due to a lack of professionalism and excessive fees.

For example, when I asked her to apply for my work permit, she demanded $1,000—claiming that $500 was a processing fee and the rest was for the application. However, I am aware that there is no application fee for a work permit for protection claimants.

I have already paid her $2,500, as per our contract, with the remaining balance due after the hearing approval. If I switch to another lawyer, can she still demand the remaining payment even though she will no longer be representing me? Also, will changing lawyers affect my claim in any way?

It has been too long waiting for my hearing. Has anyone else experienced this? If so, what should you do in this situation?

I would appreciate any advice.

You will be fine I understand the frustrations, same thing happened to me, I’m now a protected person, mine got cancel so many times too, I changed my lawyer also

 

[E^8]

Thank you for your reply