Terms of business
The basis on which we act for you.
These terms apply alongside the individual engagement letter you receive at the start of your matter.
Draft for review
These Terms of Business are provided as a working draft. They must be reviewed and approved by the firm's senior partner and compliance officer (COLP/COFA) before publication, and tailored to the firm's actual operational practice (billing cycles, interest policy, insurer details, etc.).
Our firm
S. Satha & Co Solicitors is a firm of solicitors authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. Our office is at 358 High Street North, Manor Park, London E12 6PH. These terms, together with your individual engagement letter, set out the basis on which we provide legal services to you.
Our responsibilities
We will: act in your best interests in accordance with the SRA Standards and Regulations; provide you with clear, practical, and timely legal advice; keep you informed of progress and any material developments in your matter; respond promptly to your enquiries; and maintain the confidentiality of your matter, subject to our regulatory and legal obligations.
Your responsibilities
You agree to: provide us with complete, accurate, and timely instructions and information; respond promptly to our requests for documents or information; cooperate with our client due diligence and AML requirements; pay our invoices in accordance with these terms and your engagement letter; and notify us of any change to your contact details.
Fees and billing
Our fees are set out in your engagement letter, calculated either on an hourly basis or as a fixed fee. We will provide an estimate at the outset and update it if the scope or complexity of your matter changes materially. Disbursements (third-party costs) and VAT will be itemised on your invoice. Invoices are payable within 14 days of issue unless otherwise agreed.
Client money
Money held on your behalf is kept in our client account with a UK clearing bank, in accordance with the SRA Accounts Rules. Interest is calculated and paid in accordance with our published Interest Policy, available on request.
Confidentiality
We will keep your matter and all information relating to it strictly confidential. We may be required by law or regulation to disclose information, for example, under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 or in response to a court order, and may do so without notice to you where required.
Storage of files
We retain client files for a minimum of six years following the conclusion of your matter, in line with our professional and regulatory obligations. Some categories of file (such as Wills and conveyancing) may be retained for longer periods. After this time, files may be securely destroyed. Original documents will be returned to you on request.
Limitation of liability
Our liability to you in respect of any single matter shall not exceed the level of our professional indemnity insurance cover, which complies with the SRA Minimum Terms and Conditions. Full details of our insurance, including the name and address of our insurer and the territorial coverage, are available on request. Nothing in these terms excludes or limits liability where it would be unlawful to do so.
Termination
You may terminate our retainer at any time by giving us written notice. We may terminate our retainer for good reason, including non-payment of invoices or a breakdown in instructions, in accordance with the SRA Code of Conduct. On termination, fees and disbursements incurred up to the date of termination will be payable.
Complaints
If you are unhappy with any aspect of our service, please refer to our Complaints Procedure. You have the right to refer unresolved complaints to the Legal Ombudsman, and to report concerns about professional conduct to the SRA, as set out in that procedure.
Governing law
These terms and your retainer with us are governed by the laws of England and Wales, and the courts of England and Wales have exclusive jurisdiction over any dispute arising in connection with them.
Questions about our terms?
If anything in these terms is unclear, please ask. We are happy to walk you through the basis of our retainer before you instruct us.
Contact the firm