Lawyers
1. When asked by the firm the client will pay immediately to the firm all disbursements and out of pocket expenses paid or payable by the firm on behalf of the client. The firm reserves the right to require a retainer for its services. The firm reserves the right to charge a reasonable account establishment/management fee.
2. The firm is entitled to charge the client fees which are fair and reasonable for the work done. The client acknowledges that the firm may render interim bills from time to time.
3. The hourly charge out rate specified above is for the author who initially opens the file for this matter. Other authors in the firm may have different charge out rates which may be charged for work undertaken on this matter. The firm reserves the right to adjust individual lawyers’ charge out rates from time to time including rates charged on current matters. This may mean that the charge out rate specified above may change over time. Confirmation of the current charge out rates for lawyers working on this matter may be obtained by you at any time upon your request in writing addressed to any Partner of the firm or our Credit Manager.
4. The client will pay any bill not later than 21 days after the date of the bill (“the due date”). The client authorises deduction from funds held on trust to the client’s credit to meet bills due.
5. The balance of all bills outstanding after the due date will accrue interest at the rate of 12% per annum calculated on a daily basis from the due date until the date when payment is actually made and the client shall be liable to pay all costs and expenses including but not limited to any costs incurred or charged by a collection agency and solicitor/client costs in relation to failure to pay.
6. An application by the client for legal aid will not act as a waiver of these provisions.
7. In the event that you require credit from us now or in the future, then:
(a) In considering whether to grant you credit the firm may carry out a credit check through a credit reference agency and the firm requires the above information for this purpose and to establish a client database; and
(b) We may disclose some of the above information together with the amount of credit you seek to a credit reference agency as part of the credit checking process. We will disclose these details to credit reference, repossession or debt collection agencies in the event that you default on your contract with us.