The Wicked Wife's Dark History Keeps Coming Back To Haunt Her - Chapter 48
One reason people avoid legal consultations is the background of the lawyers. Since most lawyers are of noble blood, their inherent superiority and elitism are major factors that intimidate commoner clients.
However, an even bigger reason is…
“Honestly, does it matter if the lawyer is a noble or a commoner when my money is at stake? Besides, the cost of litigation is burdensome, and the trial process is long and difficult, so people give up before even starting.”
It’s money.
“Money, huh…”
Nina recalled her conversation with Hozi from just past noon and scratched her chin thoughtfully.
She initially planned to prepare advice on what to be careful of during legal consultations and litigation know-how, but now she realized she needed to consider ways to reduce the overall costs involved in litigation.
First, the consultation fee.
“It’s 30 silver for just the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.”
30 silver.
‘That’s like 300,000 won for 15-20 minutes in modern terms…’
Even a lawyer from a famous law firm would charge that much for at least an hour of consultation.
Although it’s understandable that elite lawyers from noble families wouldn’t sell their time cheaply, it was still an excessive amount.
Without including methods to reduce various costs in litigation know-how, her lecture would be pointless.
‘If the average consultation fee really is 30 silver, I might have to ditch this topic and choose something like noble etiquette like everyone else…’
Even if she managed to resolve the consultation fee issue, what about the retainer and initiation fees?
They would be much more expensive than the consultation fee.
Even people who are relatively well-off would have to brace for bankruptcy when they enter litigation, wouldn’t they?
That didn’t make sense.
It would be helpful to know the exact retainer fees lawyers charge for different lawsuits…
But physically visiting consultations to find out was impossible.
What should she do?
As she pondered this, an old memory flashed in her mind.
Nina opened a drawer and rummaged through it, pulling out a signet ring from her jewelry box.
A crude male ring that didn’t fit a lady’s jewelry box.
It was the signet ring she used to marry her husband.
‘I was strictly told not to use this recklessly because it’s very precious…’
She had successfully used this seal to marry her husband.
Bitter regret washed over her briefly at the thought of the resulting catastrophe.
‘Just once, let’s use it for a good cause before I return it to Grandfather.’
Just as merchants form guilds, lawyers have their own ‘association’.
The Bar Association.
While its purpose and activities might differ from the modern bar association…
‘Anyway, if I get help from the association president, I should be able to find out the reasonable or average costs.’
Nina began writing a request letter to the president of the Bar Association in the Bayern Duchy, hoping to get the answers she wanted.
The association president must have heard numerous bad things about her.
The only stain on Ash D Bayern.
The disgrace of the Supreme Court or the Taylor Dukedom, and so on.
Asking for help from someone with such a prejudice against her, she wrote the letter carefully and respectfully.
Very politely and courteously.
Explaining that the information was needed for participation in an imperial charity event and asking earnestly for help.
She even added that the information would not be used for any personal reasons beyond the stated purpose, making the request letter perfect.
She also asked for a recommendation of suitable lawyers for Jessie and Yona’s cases, to keep her promise to them.
She had written everything she needed.
“Good.”
Now, she just needed to seal the envelope and send it.
As she stretched her sore wrist from writing the long request letter, she walked towards the drawer.
“Huh…?”
Then she noticed an envelope slightly sticking out from under the drawer.
‘What is this?’
Nina picked up the envelope from the floor.
Judging by the unfamiliar envelope, it seemed she had accidentally dropped it while checking the letters.
‘When did this arrive…?’
She decided to check where it was from first and looked at the back of the envelope.
“Saint Hennige Academy…?”
Isn’t that the academy where her nephew Ian attends?
Could something have happened to Ian?
‘I don’t recall anything specific happening… but I can’t fully trust human memory.’
The accident at the Granvil Ducal House came to her mind by chance too.
…What could it be?
Nina quickly opened the envelope with a letter opener.
A stiff, high-quality card.
[Dear Guardians,
As summer break approaches, we are pleased to announce the 36th annual festival of Saint Hennige Academy…]
It was an invitation to the school festival.
