Filing your case on GoodSharks

Create an account

The first step, if you haven't done so already, is to create a free account and follow the quick and simple sign up procedure.

Now that you have your new account, when you sign in, you'll be taken directly to your dashboard. It's from here that you'll be able to add a new case, check your messages, change your account settings etc...

To start your case, simply click the Add a case button on the right hand side.

Do I have to enter everything right now?

No - you do not need to fill out every field straight away, but you will be unable to file your case until all the required fields are complete.

You can come back to your case at any time either before or after filing it.

Name your case

You can give your case a name if you like. The default name is My Case, but it can anything to help you differentiate between cases if you end up filing more than one.

The lawyers that receive your case will not be able to see what you've called it - the name is for your reference only.

Enter the details

As you work through the sections, you will see that there are a number of fields that we will use to match you to relevant lawyers. On the right hand side of the screen, you'll see there is a progress bar indicating where you are in the process. You can use this to jump around between sections, or just use the back or next buttons.

About You

This simply indicates what type of "client" you are - plaintiff, defendant etc.

Urgency

Sometimes cases have deadlines imposed upon them, and we'll give you some advice if yours falls within this category.

Other Parties

If any other parties are involved, please supply their names. Lawyers receiving your case will have to make sure they have no conflict of interest, if they are to help you.

Area of Law

Just select the area of law your case falls under. If you are not sure exactly, have a quick look in our legal directory which might help you pin point an area.

Jurisdition

If you are already involved in a court case, pick the place where that case is located. If you do not know where jurisdiction lies, pick the state or place where you are located. When you consult with an attorney, they should advise you on the proper jurisdiction for your matter and whether they are licensed to help you handle your issue.

Location

In order to set a search radius, we need to have a location to base it on. Again, these details are never seen by the lawyers, so your privacy is protected.

Case Facts

These will of course assist the lawyer determine whether or not they can help you. You should only state the basic and unconfidential facts of your case, and avoid giving any opinions or legal analysis. We've limited the number of characters to 500.

Search Options

In order to help you specify some more advanced options in your lawyer search, we have created a section where you can stipulate parameters such as fee structure, payment methods, experience of lawyer etc.

As with any search engine, the more flexible you are with your search options, the more matches you will yield. Our advice is to only check something if it really matters to you.

Summary

Here you can review your case fields in a simple tabbed container. If you need to add or change any of the details, just click on edit, and you'll be taken to the relevant section of your case. Use the links within the progress bar to hop around sections quickly.

When you have completed all the required fields, and are ready, go ahead and file your case.