Legal
Terms of Engagement
Last updated
These terms describe the basis on which Standing Lawyers acts for a client. They are a summary written for the website; the engagement letter signed for a particular matter is the operative document, and where the two differ the engagement letter governs.
When an engagement begins
An engagement begins when we have completed conflict checks, agreed a scope in writing, and confirmed the arrangement in an engagement letter that you have accepted. Correspondence before that point — an enquiry through this website, a first conversation, a proposal — does not by itself create a lawyer–client relationship, however detailed it becomes.
Scope of work
The engagement letter sets out what is covered and what is not. Anything outside it is a separate matter to be agreed separately. Where a matter needs a specialist or an advocate for appearance, we say so and remain accountable for co-ordination unless the letter says otherwise.
Fees and billing cycle
A retainer is quoted as a fixed monthly fee against an assessment of the workload, agreed before work begins, and invoiced monthly. Where the scope turns out to differ materially from what was assessed, we raise it rather than absorb it silently or bill around it. Out-of-pocket disbursements — filing fees, stamp duty, courier, travel — are additional and passed on at cost.
Your instructions and our advice
We act on the instructions of the people your company nominates in the engagement letter. Advice is given for the matter and the circumstances stated at the time, and is not to be relied upon for another purpose or by another party without our written agreement.
Termination
Either side may end the engagement on the notice stated in the engagement letter. On termination we invoice for the period worked, return or destroy your documents as you direct, and confirm in writing what remains outstanding so nothing is left assumed.
Complaints
If you are unhappy with anything we have done, our grievance redressal policy explains how to raise it and how it will be handled.