---
esco_uri: http://data.europa.eu/esco/skill/87cadd76-4e3a-47e5-b66d-559fbc1e8993
esco_label: "respond to enquiries"
relation: essential
onet_soc: 23-1011.00
source: model-knowledge
confidence: high
qa_count: 0
generator: gemma3:27b (prompt-designed and spot-checked by Claude)
generated: 2026-07-10
---

# respond to enquiries — Legal Counsel

For Legal Counsel, 'responding to enquiries' isn’t just about politeness; it’s a core risk management function. Daily, this means fielding questions from internal clients (business units, executives) *and* external parties (regulators, opposing counsel, sometimes even the public). Typical tasks range from clarifying contract clauses and explaining legal positions on projects to handling data requests during litigation or investigations. Tools used are heavily document-based: email is primary, but also secure messaging platforms, knowledge management systems for precedent answers, and potentially dedicated request tracking software (especially in larger organizations).

A key pitfall is providing *incomplete* or *unqualified* advice in response to a quick enquiry. A seemingly simple question can have complex implications. Good Legal Counsel doesn’t just answer the immediate query; they briefly assess the broader context – 'What's driving this request?', 'Are there related issues I should flag?' – and frame their response accordingly, often with caveats like “This is based on my understanding of X as of today” or “Further investigation may be needed.”  Simply saying ‘yes’ or ‘no’ without nuance can create significant liability.

What 'good' looks like isn't speed alone (though responsiveness *is* important). It’s providing clear, concise, legally sound advice tailored to the enquirer’s level of understanding. This often means translating complex legal jargon into plain English for business stakeholders.  It also includes knowing when an enquiry requires a more detailed memo or formal legal opinion – and proactively suggesting that instead of attempting a quick fix.

Finally, documentation is crucial. Legal Counsel should maintain records of significant enquiries and responses (even brief ones) to demonstrate due diligence and support any future claims or defenses. This isn’t about creating unnecessary paperwork; it's about protecting the organization.

## Weitere Anreicherung

Stage-2 source for future practitioner grounding: CORE / DOAB (open-access law monographs).
