What is a key factor in establishing informed consent?

Informed consent is fundamentally about ensuring that clients have a clear understanding of their choices and the related implications. This means that clients must be able to grasp the consequences of the decisions they make regarding their legal representation and the strategies employed by their lawyer. Without this understanding, clients cannot truly give informed consent, as they would lack the necessary information to make sound decisions regarding their own legal matters.

It's essential that lawyers communicate potential risks, benefits, and alternatives in a way that clients can comprehend. This process respects the client’s autonomy and fosters a collaborative relationship between the lawyer and the client, ensuring that the client is an active participant in their own case. Thus, the emphasis on understanding the consequences of decisions made is critical in the context of informed consent in legal practice.