Our Retainer Pack

Retainer

This is the general term used to describe the contract between us and usually consists of a number of key documents, outlined below. Each of the documents listed below form part of our retainer and should be read in conjunction with each other.

Letter of Engagement

This is our initial letter which confirms the Solicitor dealing with your case together with the scope of the work we will carry out on your behalf. It also provides general introductory information regarding some of the key features contained within the Terms of Business. In particular, it outlines the responsibilities applicable to you and to us, as well as confirming our client care commitment especially for those who have impairments of sight, hearing or any other disability. It also briefly touches on costs, fees, legal expense insurance and how to cancel your instructions.

Conditional / Contingency Fee Agreement

These agreements are the cornerstone of how we charge our fees and recover our expenses from either your and or the opponent. The Conditional Fee Agreement contains a Success Fee Clause, i.e., it specifies how much we can take from your compensation if we succeed, and we don’t ever take more than 25% + vat in respect of our fees. The Contingency Fee Agreement works in a similar way where upon we take a flat fee of 25% + vat in respect of our fees, the main difference being that under this agreement we cannot issue court proceedings.

Terms of Business

This is the main document containing the detail of the contract between you and us, it is a very important document, and we ask you to retain it for future reference. It is a lengthy document because pursuant to our professional obligations we are required to be open and transparent in relation to our dealings with you especially in regard to our fees and expenses. It also contains important information on confidentiality and how we deal with your personal data set against the backdrop of our professional obligation to the SRA, Auditors, Experts and other third parties we interact with in order to progress you case seamlessly. It provides much more detail on general timescales for completing the work you have asked us to undertake. In addition, it covers a considerable amount of information on what is needed to succeed in your case and the sorts of key detail that needs to be established. Finally, it also covers our complaints procedure should you believe we have not met our usual standard.

Cancellation Authority

The key feature of this document is that it explains your right regarding cancellation within the first 14 days of the beginning of the contract. We like to act fast and drive your case forward from day one, so we will ask you to authorise us to work immediately on your case without compromising your right to cancel within this initial period. We also do not expect you to use the standard form but accept notification by way of letter or email, but it must be in writing.

Letter of Authority

This is one of the most important documents because is provides your informed consent to a number of key aspects, processes, and actions that we will begin to activate immediately we are instructed. It’s the final document in the pack accepting all of the Terms and Conditions in each of these documents, so please ensure you retain a copy of it.