Terms of Engagement
Family Law Specialists
Terms of Engagement
Please read the information below carefully. It outlines important client care information, fees, complaints procedures, confidentiality, and AML/CFT requirements.
View / Download PDFInformation for Clients
This information is provided in accordance with the Rules of Conduct and Client Care for Lawyers of the New Zealand Law Society.
Fees
The basis on which fees will be charged is set out in our letter of engagement and terms of engagement. We may deduct fees, expenses or disbursements from funds held on your behalf in our trust account where an invoice has been provided.
Professional Indemnity Insurance
We hold professional indemnity insurance that meets or exceeds the minimum standards specified by the New Zealand Law Society.
Lawyers Fidelity Fund
The New Zealand Law Society maintains the Lawyers Fidelity Fund to provide protection against certain pecuniary losses arising from theft by lawyers.
Complaints
If you have a complaint about our services or charges, please raise it with the lawyer acting for you. If you are not satisfied, you may refer it to the directors of the firm.
Client Care & Service
Your lawyer must:
- Act competently, in a timely way, and in accordance with instructions received.
- Protect and promote your interests.
- Discuss your objectives and how they should best be achieved.
- Provide clear information about the work to be done and who will do it.
- Charge a fee that is fair and reasonable.
- Protect your privacy and confidentiality.
- Treat you fairly, respectfully and without discrimination.
- Keep you informed about the work being done.
- Let you know how to make a complaint.
Standard Terms of Engagement
Services
The services we provide for you will be outlined in our engagement letter.
Fees & Billing
Unless stated otherwise in our engagement letter, time spent working for you will incur fees calculated on an hourly basis. Invoices are usually sent monthly and on completion of the matter.
Current hourly rates include Directors at $300 plus GST per hour, Solicitors at $275 plus GST per hour, and Staff Solicitors at $150 to $220 plus GST per hour.
Disbursements
We may incur disbursements or make payments to third parties on your behalf. These will be included in our invoice to you when incurred.
Payment
Invoices are payable when issued unless alternative arrangements have been made. Interest may be charged on amounts more than 30 days overdue.
Confidentiality
We will hold in confidence all information concerning you or your affairs acquired during the course of acting for you, except where disclosure is necessary, required by law, or authorised by you.
Termination
You may terminate our retainer at any time. If our retainer is terminated, you must pay all fees and expenses due up to the date of termination.
Files & Documents
You authorise us to destroy files and documents for your matter seven years after our engagement ends, except for documents held in safe custody.
Trust Account
We maintain a trust account for funds received from clients, except money received for payment of our invoices.
AML/CFT Requirements
From 1 July 2018, we are required by law to obtain more information from clients under the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Act 2009.
We may need to verify your identity, date of birth, address, source of funds, and the reason for the proposed work. We require this information before carrying out work for clients.
Individuals
Proof of identity and date of birth, such as a driver licence or passport.
Proof of address, such as a recent utilities bill or bank statement.
Companies or Trusts
We may require further information about directors, shareholders, trustees, beneficiaries, and other people involved.
Download the Full Terms
You can view or download the full PDF version of our Information for Clients, Terms of Engagement, and AML/CFT information below.
View / Download PDF