Sequencing

- First of all
- Firstly
- To begin with…
- In the first place

- Secondly
- In the second place
- Thirdly
- Afterwards
- After (this)
- Next
- Then

- Finally
- Lastly

Useful language - Requesting politely

- I will be grateful for any help you can provide.
- I should be grateful if you would kindly send me…
- I should be grateful if you could forward to me the following further information:
- We should be grateful if you would provide us with …
- We should be grateful if you would let us have…
- We should be grateful if you would forward to us a …
- We should be grateful to hear from you in relation to this proposal.
- We should be grateful if you would prepare a short report dealing with the following issues.
- I would appreciate if you could…
- I will appreciate your help with this situation.
- I hope you will be able to provide the information.
- We would appreciate if you could
- Could you please let me know…
- Could you give me some details, please?
- Would you please clarify the situation regarding…
- Would you please let us have…
- Would you kindly…
- In the meantime, it would be helpful if you could le me know…
- Kindly acknowledge receipt.
- Kindly confirm that this is accepted as drawn.
- Kindly confirm that this is accepted so that we can send you the amended X for approval.
- Kindly update your records accordingly.
- Kindly provide copies of the following:
- Kindly confirm that you are in agreement with this course of action.
- We therefore require the following information:

Charging your client

- The firm’s general practice is to charge on a time basis.
- Other applicable current hourly rates are…
- As to our fees, the cost of the initial action as outlined above will be …
- In a matter such as this, it is difficult to estimate the probable charges as this depends on a range of factors beyond our control.
- I will need to complete some financial calculations before writing again with specific proposals…
- There are further expenses which…
- This will give rise to further charges.
- Further payments may be requested as the matter progresses.
- It may be necessary from time to time to pay other expenses.
- If you are successful, our costs will be paid by the losing party. If, on the other hand, you lose, you will not have to pay our costs and we would not be able to recover any monies for work carried out.
- If you win, we will be entitled to charge you what is known as “success fee”