Vetting an attorney to review a contract before you sign it

You've been handed a contract to sign—a supplier agreement, a service deal, a lease, a partnership clause—and you know enough to feel uncertain. Before you sign, you want a lawyer to check it over. But which lawyer? You need someone who understands your situation, works at the right pace and cost, and whose opinion you can trust. Here's how to vet an attorney for this specific job.

Confirm they're registered to do this work

Any attorney reviewing a contract on your behalf must be admitted to practise in South Africa. Start by asking them directly: "Are you on the roll of attorneys?" Then verify it yourself. Search the Law Society of South Africa's online register (available on their website) and confirm their name, practice address and status. This takes five minutes and is non-negotiable. If an attorney resists this question or you can't find them listed, move on. You also want to know if they've had any recorded disciplinary action; that information is part of the public record. Ask them outright if there are any complaints against them on file, and if the answer is anything but a straightforward no, ask why.

Ask about their contract review experience

Not all attorneys are equally experienced in contract review. An attorney who specialises in property conveyancing may be less sharp on service agreements; one who does employment law may miss risks in a supply contract. Ask specifically: "Have you reviewed contracts like this one before? How many in the last year? Can you walk me through what you typically flag?" Listen for concrete examples. They should mention things like ambiguous payment terms, liability caps, dispute resolution clauses, exit conditions, or regulatory gaps—not vague assurances that they "read carefully." Ask them how long they'd typically need to turn around a review. If they're rushing it or overcommitted, that's a red flag.

Request a clear brief on what they'll actually do

Before they begin, agree on scope. Tell them: "I need you to flag legal risks, ambiguities and anything that could harm me if the other party breaches." Ask what they will and won't cover. For instance, will they check whether the contract complies with any relevant legislation (employment law, consumer protection, tax implications, data protection)? Will they flag commercial red flags, or only legal ones? Will they mark up the document with comments, or provide a separate memo? How much back-and-forth can you have with them? Some attorneys charge a flat rate for a quick check; others charge hourly. Agree on the fee structure and ballpark cost upfront, and ask if there's a not-to-exceed cap. This prevents surprise invoices.

Check references and past client feedback

Ask the attorney for contact details of two or three clients for whom they've reviewed contracts recently. Yes, these will be referees they're comfortable with, but that's fine—it tells you something valuable. Call or WhatsApp them and ask: Did they understand the feedback? Was it clear and actionable? Did the attorney flag things they'd missed? How was communication and turnaround? Were there any surprises on the invoice? You're listening for signs of clarity, responsiveness and follow-through. If they can't or won't give you references, that's unusual and worth questioning. You can also search for them on Google or LinkedIn to get a sense of their profile and client comments.

Once you've confirmed they're registered, understand their experience, agreed on scope and fee, and checked at least one reference, you're in a strong position to brief them. Bring them the contract and clearly state what you're worried about, or ask them to flag anything that stands out. A good attorney will come back with a marked-up version or a memo pointing out specific risks and suggesting amendments. You don't have to take all their advice—it's your contract and your decision to sign—but you'll know the terrain before you do. When you're ready, Strove's verified legal practitioners can connect you with attorneys who've been checked and reviewed by other clients.