The Hargrove Matter

Client: Hargrove Bistro Ltd · Sole director: Anna Hargrove · Lease: 10-year FRI commercial lease at 32 Castle Street · Landlord: Cavendish Properties Ltd · Issue: alleged misrepresentation about premises condition; significant disrepair; threatened forfeiture for withheld rent.

Part of the Hargrove Matter — 6 labs total ·1. Interview and Attendance Note 2. Case and Matter Analysis 3. Legal Research 4. Legal Writing 5. Legal Drafting 6. Advocacy

Interview and Attendance Note

Hargrove: First Client Interview

Facts

Question

Analysis

Verdict

Scenario

You are an associate at Sterling & Carr Solicitors. Your supervising partner, Mark Davenport, has emailed you the following: --- FROM: Mark Davenport <m.davenport@sterlingcarr.co.uk> TO: [You] SUBJECT: New matter — Hargrove Bistro Ltd — first interview today 2pm Hi, Client is Anna Hargrove (sole director, Hargrove Bistro Ltd). Their restaurant 'Hargrove's' opened 14 months ago at 32 Castle Street under a 10-year commercial lease (FRI). Significant problems: damp, heating failure, electrical issues. Landlord Cavendish Properties Ltd allegedly knew about these before signing but assured the client the premises were in 'fully operational condition'. Client has withheld 3 months of rent (~£27,000) pending repairs. Landlord has now served a notice threatening forfeiture. First meeting at 2pm. Please conduct the interview, take a full attendance note, and identify the key legal and ethical issues. Send me a summary memo by tomorrow. Thanks, Mark --- It is now 1:50pm. Anna Hargrove will arrive in 10 minutes.

Before Anna Hargrove arrives, you need to prepare your opening. Which of the following best describes the correct opening structure for a first client interview?