WEALTH RECOVERY SOLICITORS LIMITED
Terms and conditions
1. Introduction
1.1 Wealth Recovery Solicitors is the trading name of Wealth Recovery Solicitors Limited. 1.2 The legal services that Wealth Recovery Solicitors Limited provides are regulated and authorisedby the Bar Standards Board. Our registration number with the Bar Standards Board is ER185624.These terms and conditions are set out to comply with certain standards recommended by theBar Standards Board and the Law Society. Their other purpose is to indicate to clients as clearlyas possible the standard of service that they can expect from us, the amounts that we will chargefor the work that we do and our methods of charging.
1.3 These terms and conditions do not affect statutory and common law rules that govern solicitors’business. However, if there is a conflict between the terms and conditions and such rules, theterms and conditions will prevail so far as it is possible for them to do so.
1.4 When the words ‘we’ and ‘us’ are used in these terms and conditions, they mean Wealth RecoverySolicitors Limited. This company is registered in England and Wales. Its registration number is11325165 and the registered office is situated at 36 John Dalton St, Manchester, M2 6LE.
1.5 These terms and conditions, any letter that we may send you confirming your instructions to usand any document referred to in that letter, together represent the terms and conditions ofbusiness on which we contract with you.
2. Service standards
The following points indicate our general policy as to how to we will provide legal services inrelation to the matter for which you have instructed us. More specific aims are outlined in ‘OurService Standards’ document.
2.1 Use of plain English: Our aim is to use plain, straightforward and non-technical language in ourwritten and verbal communications. If documents and communications from other persons ororganisations are not expressed in this type of language, we will clearly explain the meaning asfar as it is reasonably possible to do so.
2.2 Keeping you informed of what is happening: On a regular basis we will let you know what ishappening with your matter.
2.3 Explaining what we are doing for you: We will let you know what legal and other work we arecarrying out for you as your matter advances. We may do this in writing, by telephone or by email. 2.4 Costs information: We will let you know on a regular basis what your matter is costing you. If weare charging on a fixed fee basis, we will inform you as soon as it becomes apparent that thework we need to do is outside the scope of work to be carried out. If we have provided an estimateas to the amount of work involved, we will inform you as soon as it becomes apparent that theestimate will be exceeded and why or the amount of time required to perform the work exceedswhat we estimated and the reasons for this.
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2.5 Timescales: We will provide you with information about how long each stage of the work that weare carrying out on your behalf is likely to take. We will also let you know whether there are orlikely to be any significant changes to timings that we have given.
2.6 Informing you about the risks and benefits of your matter: We will let you know whether the resultsthat you are seeking or the goals that you wish to achieve are worth pursuing set against theamount that you will need to spend on legal fees (including our fees), other costs and any risksthat you might face. We will keep you informed where there is a significant change incircumstances.
2.7 Ways of funding your matter: From time to time we will examine whether there are sources offunds to pay for the legal costs (and other costs) that must be paid to deal with your matter.
3. Responsibility for work carried out on your behalf
3.1 The person(s) who will carry out all or the majority of the work on your matter is or are shown onthe letter that accompanies these terms and conditions.
3.2 In certain circumstances, it may be appropriate for some work to be carried out by other membersof staff, such as paralegal, secretarial or support staff. This allows us to provide a more efficientservice to you and also to charge you the appropriate amount for the work done. All work by suchstaff is performed under the supervision of a solicitor.
4. Charges and expenses
4.1 How we charge
We charge for the work we do in a number of ways:
4.1.1 you pay us a fixed amount;
4.1.2 we provide an estimate of the likely amount of our fees;
4.1.3 our fees are based on the amount of time we spend in dealing with your matter. Our method of charging in your case is specified in the letter which accompanies these termsand conditions.
4.2 Fixed fee arrangements
4.2.1 Where we agree to charge you a fixed fee, you must usually pay that fee regardless of whetheryour matter proceeds as expected or envisaged, or whether you achieve the result or objectivethat you wish. For example, if you are asking us to help you buy a property but the proposedtransaction does not complete (because the other side in the transaction does not sign thecontract or you fail to obtain the funds to purchase the property), you must still pay us the fixedfee.
4.2.2 If we agree to work for a fixed fee, we make a number of assumptions or we specify the work thatwe will or will not do. Where the assumptions are no longer met or we need to do work outsidethe scope of that specified, it will be necessary to charge you more. We will then agree with youto charge either a further fixed fee or on a time basis (as described in paragraph 4.4 below);otherwise, the retainer will be terminated.
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4.2.3 The assumptions that we make or the work that we specify we will do are set out in the letter which accompanies these terms and conditions (or in another document which is referred to inthe letter).
4.3 Estimated cost arrangements
4.3.1 Where we provide an estimate for our fees, the estimate is normally based on our view of theamount of work that is necessary to deal with a matter. We will make certain assumptions for thispurpose. The covering letter which accompanies these terms and conditions will set out therelevant assumptions where we are charging an estimated amount.
4.3.2 If the assumptions change or the estimated amount that we are charging is no longer realistic, wewill inform you straightaway and discuss what the next steps will be. We will then agree with youto charge either a further fixed fee or on a time basis (as described in paragraph 4.4 below);otherwise, the retainer will be terminated.
4.4 Fees based on the amount of time we spend in dealing with your matter 4.4.1 Where it has been agreed that we will charge you based on the time that we spend in dealingwith your matter, our rates are provided in our client care letter to you..
4.4.2 Routine letters or emails that we write and routine telephone calls that we make and receive arecharged as units of 1/10th of an hour. Other letters, emails and telephone calls are chargeddepending on the length of time that they take.
4.4.3 On 1 September each year, we review our hourly rates. We will let you know the new rates. 4.4.4 In addition to the time that we spend, we take into account various other factors including thecomplexity of the issues involved in the matter, the speed at which action must be taken, theexpertise or specialist knowledge that the matter requires and, if appropriate, the value of theproperty or subject matter involved. Our rates may be adjusted upwards if, for example, the matterbecomes more complex than expected or must be carried out in an emergency or out of hours.In these circumstances, the increased rate will not exceed 10% above the usual hourly rate. 4.4.5 If you require more information or have a concern about our rates after an annual review, pleasedo not hesitate to contact us.
4.5 VAT
We add VAT to our charges at the rate that applies when we carry out the work. Currently this is20%. Our VAT registration number is 322119739.
4.6 Disbursements
You must also pay for the expenses associated with your case (commonly called’disbursements’). These include photocopying charges, courier costs, travel expenses,overseas telephone calls and the costs of using the services of other professionals and persons(such as surveyors, accountants, advocates and other agents). Also payable may be fees tocentral and local government, regulatory and other bodies (such as court fees, search fees,company searches and so on), charges to transfer funds by electronic or other means andbanker’s drafts. VAT is normally payable on these items. As we are regulated by the BarStandards Boars, we cannot hold client monies on account or make payments on your behalf in
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respect of disbursements. We may ask you to open an account with a third party paymentservice and pay the monies for the disbursement in advance.
4.7 Additional work
If we need to carry out some unforeseen additional work, we will let you know about this(normally before we carry it out) and provide you with an estimate of the cost. This situation canarise because of unexpected difficulties, a change in your requirements or a change incircumstances during the course of the matter (such an unexpected action or inaction by theother party or parties involved in the matter).
4.8 Matter not concluded
If your matter is not concluded, we will still charge for the time that we have spent and thedisbursements and expenses that we have incurred on your behalf. You must still pay ourcharges and expenses.
4.9 Money on account
We do not have a client account and would not hold funds on account
4.10 How we deal with payments of our invoices
4.10.1 You can pay our invoices by cheque or by making an electronic payment.4.10.2 If you make any cash payment directly into our bank account, we may have to carry outinvestigations to determine the source of the funds. If this is the case, we may decide to chargeyou for carrying out the investigations.
4.10.3 If we need to make any payments to you, we will only do so by writing a cheque in your name orsending the money directly to a bank or building society in your name. We will not make paymentsto third parties or in cash (whether to you or a third party).