I would be pleased to accept instructions from you on the terms set out in this letter. It is important that you understand what these are. If you agree with the proposed arrangement, please check the box above to record your agreement.
The basis on which I carry out professional work
1. I am the only person you are instructing and I personally will do all the work needed under this arrangement. I am a sole practitioner and practise alone from my Chambers (barristers’ offices).
2. If for any reason I cannot carry out the work you are instructing me to do, or if I want to suggest that another barrister carries out the work for you, I may propose this. However, another barrister will not carry out work for you unless and until you have agreed to an arrangement and have instructed the other barrister. If you feel that you would be happier with the services provided by an organisation (rather than an individual), you need to instruct a firm of solicitors.
The work I will carry out and the fee
3. The work you are instructing me to carry out is either:
• drafting mirror wills for you for a fixed fee of 1300 DHs/£220
• (and optionally) Secure Storage & Update option (only if requested) for 200 Dhs/£35 per year.
You understand that if you opt for the Storage & Update option the fee for this can be increased from time to time after timely notice is given to you. The Update aspect of the service may be withdrawn and changed to a storage only option with a reduced fee at a later date. You have the option to cease using this service at any time without penalty.
4. You and I agree that I will not send to you the final will(s) you have instructed me to draft until you have paid the fee. Under this contract, you are responsible for paying my fees.
5. If you owe me any fees and do not pay them for more than 28 days after I give you a fee note, interest will be payable at 2% above Barclays Bank base rate from 28 days of the date of the fee note.
6. If subsequent work is needed in relation to this or any related matter, there will be another letter of agreement between us.
The range of work I can carry out
7. I should explain to you the range of the work that barristers carry out, as well as the type of work they do not. Barristers advise on the law, draft documents for clients to use, and appear on behalf of their client before courts or other organisations. Barristers do not handle client money or undertake the administrative management of a case proceeding through a court.
Circumstances when I may not be able to act for you
8. In all my professional work I must follow the Bar Code of Conduct. As a result, if I consider that a solicitor needs to be instructed in your own interests or for some other professional reason, I will no longer be able to act for you other than on the instructions of a solicitor. If I foresee that situation arising, I will give you as much notice as possible.
My availability
9. As I carry out all my professional work personally, there may be times when I am not available to you. For example, if I am in court I may be unavailable to other clients during that time, which may extend to several days.
Documents
10. You and I agree that:
(i) I am entitled to keep copies of any documents you give me for my own professional records; and
(ii) I will return all your original documents to you when I have carried out the work you have instructed me to do.
I would prefer that you give me copies of documents rather than originals. However, if this is not possible, I may make a reasonable charge to you for producing photocopies.
General obligations
12. The information which you give me will be received in professional confidence. The only exception is that statutory and other legal requirements may cause me to disclose information which I have received from you to governmental or other regulatory authorities and to do so without first obtaining your consent to such disclosure or telling you that I have made it.
13. The contract we are making between us will be governed by English law, and any dispute will be subject to the jurisdiction of the English courts.
Complaints
19. I hope you will be happy with the professional services I provide. However, if you are not satisfied, you should first refer the matter back to me. I will review the grounds for the complaint and reply to you within 21 days.
20. If you are not happy with my reply then you can contact the Legal Ombudsman (as long as you complain to the Legal Ombudsman within 12 months of discovering that there was a problem). The contact details are as follows:
Office of the Legal Services Ombudsman
3rd Floor, Sunlight House
Quay Street
Manchester M3 3JZ
0845 601 0794 – 0161 839 7262 – Email: lso@olso.gsi.gov.uk
Frequently Asked Questions concerning the new Legal Ombudsman can be found on the Bar Standards Board website: http://bit.ly/oMJGKJ
Wills for expats without UK connections?