Our emergency crime helpline is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
If you need emergency help on a criminal matter, if you have been arrested or are worried that you, or someone you know, may be arrested, call us on 07973 259382.
If you are questioned by the Police or arrested, we will provide immediate advice and representation at the Police station at any time without charge.
Crime Emergency 07973 259382
Freemans Solicitors are authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, SRA number 173314, details can be found at sra.org.uk.
As from 1st August 2010 all work the Firm does for its Clients is governed by
these terms and conditions and any agreed written variation.
FREEMANS SOLICITORS is regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority
in England and Wales under registered number 173314.
In these terms and conditions: the Firm means Freemans Solicitors. The
Client means the person, firm or company purchasing services from the Firm.
The Client relationship is solely with the Firm, and the Firm has sole legal
liability for the work done for you and for any act or omission in the course of
that work.
The Firm contracts on the basis of these Conditions and any Terms of Business letter provided at the outset of your matter only. Acceptance by the Firm of any instructions from its Clients shall be upon such Conditions and Terms of Business and shall override any other terms and conditions stipulated or incorporated by its Clients in their instructions or in any negotiations (save as shall have been expressly agreed orally or in writing by the Firm). No variation or representation will be binding on the Firm unless confirmed in writing by a duly authorised representative of the Firm.
3.1 Charging Policies
3.1.1 Charging Policy Non Fixed Fee
3.1.2 Fees will normally be charged on a time spent hourly charge basis.
3.1.3 At the outset of a matter, the Firm will have been able to initially assess
the work which it is to undertake on behalf of its Client and will give its Client
an estimate of the total time which it thinks this will take, and the total charges
which it envisages will apply, including any disbursements (i.e. payments to
be made to third parties in connection with its work) to the extent that the Firm
is able to do so. Please note that this is an estimate which is set out in the
initial letter to the Client confirming its instructions. The Firm may revise the
estimate from time to time and will advise the Client in writing of any such
revision.
3.1.4 The Client may at any stage set an upper limit for the amount the Firm is
able to charge the Client, by notice in writing to the Firm. (Save where that
limit has already been exceeded so that the Client will not be entitled to any
repayment or credit) once the Firm has done work whose value is up to that
limit, the Firm will cease to do any further work, unless and until the Client
authorises the Firm in writing to proceed.
3.1.5 Charging Policy Fixed Fee
3.1.6 In some cases, it may be more appropriate for the Firm to agree a fixed
fee with its Client. In such a case, save in the circumstances set out in
Paragraph 3.1.7 below the amount charged will not vary accordingly to the
amount of work done. This is contained in the initial letter to the Client from
the Firm confirming its instructions.
3.1.7 The initial letter to the Client confirming the Firm's instructions will
identify if a fee is only payable upon the successful completion of the matter.
In any event all disbursements incurred to date are payable by the Client
whether or not a matter proceeds to a successful completion.
3.1.8 If any unexpected extra work becomes necessary, the Firm will agree
with the Client what the nature and extent of that work is, and the reasons why
it is outside the scope of what it originally agreed. The Firm will give a
supplementary estimate of the likely costs of the extra work and agree with
the Client before commencing the work. If the Firm cannot reach an
agreement it will not be able to carry out the extra elements. If that prevents
progress being made with the main work, and that has to cease, the Firm will
be entitled to be paid for the work done to date according to the above
principles.
3.1.9 Disbursements Disbursements (payments to third parties) of more than
£20 will not be paid out by the firm unless we hold sufficient monies from the
Client on account to cover disbursements in full.
3.2 Non-Contentious Work
3.2.1 The Firm's charges for non-contentious work will be governed by the
Solicitors' (Non-Contentious Business) Remuneration Order 1994 (S.I. 1994
No 2616(L. 61) which provides for Solicitors' remuneration to be fair and
reasonable. A copy of the Order will be supplied on request.
3.2.2 Where non-contentious business is particularly complex or involves
substantial value or responsibility there may be an additional element in the
fee to reflect this.
3.3 Contentious Work
3.3.1 Following the issue of court proceedings charges are governed by the
Solicitors Act 1974 which provides for the Court in the event of adjudication to
decide what charges are reasonable, a procedure known as detailed
assessment..
3.3.2 In all other cases prior to the issue of court proceedings charges are
governed by the principles set out in Clause 3.1 above.
3.3.3 The Client is primarily liable to pay the Firm's costs even if successful in
litigation against another party. The Firm will not wait for recovery of costs
from a third party for payment of the Firm's costs. If successful in litigation, the
Firm's Client may be entitled to recover costs from the other party to the
proceedings. However, the Court's assessment of these costs rarely results in
a full recovery by the successful Client. In those circumstances Clients will
remain responsible for the payment of any shortfall to the Firm. If the other
party is funded by the Legal Services Commission (often known as Legal Aid),
no costs are likely to be recovered.
3.3.4 In Criminal Litigation cases the Court may make an Order for some of
the Client's legal costs to be repaid from Central Funds. These Orders are
always discretionary but are usually considered where the Client is found to
be not guilty' or there is some other disposal of the proceedings that does not
involve a finding of guilt. The amount will be capped at the rate payable as if
the Client were a Legally Aided client and therefore the full amount of the
Client's costs will not be recoverable from the Court. In Civil Litigation matters
costs awarded against the other party may attract interest from the date of the
Court's order to the extent that the Client has paid the Firm's fees and
disbursements, the Firm will account to the Client for any interest paid by the
other party, but will otherwise be entitled to retain it.
3.3.5 The Client may be liable for his or her own costs even if they are 100%
successful.
3.3.6 In Civil Litigation matters the amount recovered from the opponent will
be taken to discharge the Firm's costs before being paid to the Client unless
the Client has already discharged those costs in full.
3.3.7 If the Client withdraws from the action he or she will normally be
responsible for their own costs as well as those of their opponent.
3.3.8 If the case is funded by an insurer the Firm is under a duty to report the
prospects of success and as a result of that report funding may be withdrawn.
3.3.9 A costs order made in favour of the Client does not mean automatic
recovery of the Client's costs as the opponent may not be able to pay and
enforcement proceedings will then be necessary. Such enforcement
proceedings will be treated as a new matter and will be charged as additional
work.
3.3.10 The Client is likely to be liable for their opponent's costs in addition to
their own costs if he or she loses.
3.3.11In Civil Litigation matters where the opponent makes a payment into
Court of part of the Client's claim, if that payment or an offer of payment is not
accepted and the final judgment is for the same amount as paid or offered or
a lesser amount, then the Client will have to pay the opponent's costs from the
date of the payment or offer in addition to the Client's own costs.
3.4 General
3.4.1 If disbursements (including for example, but not limited to, Court fees,
Counsel's fees, fees for expert's reports, Stamp Duty Land Tax, search fees
and Land Registry fees) are incurred by the Firm on behalf of the Client, they
are payable by the Client to the Firm immediately on request. These
disbursements will be collected by the Firm prior to the collection of any
monies due pursuant to the Firm's invoice.
3.4.2 In the event that the Client terminates the Firm's instructions or for any
reason the business or matter does not proceed to completion or a final
determination then, the Firm will be entitled to charge in accordance with the
foregoing provisions for the time spent in dealing with the business whether or
not a fixed fee has been agreed. The time spent will be charged by reference
to an hourly rate details of which will be provided to the Client in the initial
letter from the Firm confirming the Client's instructions.
3.4.3 The Client bears primary liability for the payment of the Firm's charges
and disbursements in all cases even where an order for costs or contractual
indemnity has been obtained or it is expected that an order for costs or
contractual indemnity will be obtained against another party.
3.4.4 The Client is responsible for payment of the cost of seeking to enforce
any order for costs or contract for indemnity against another party.
3.4.5 The Firm's fees attract Value Added Tax at the rate currently applicable.
3.5 Payment
3.5.1 Payment of an invoice is due on presentation unless an extended
payment time has been agreed by prior arrangement. The Firm will normally
deliver invoices in between exchange of contracts and completion on a
conveyancing transaction or otherwise at intervals of between four and twelve
weeks in respect of cases or transactions continuing for more than three
months. If a matter does not proceed to completion for any reason whatsoever
an invoice will be delivered when the Firm's work ceases or the instructions to
the Firm are terminated. Disbursements are however, payable to the Firm by
the Client pursuant to Condition 3.4.1.
3.5.2 In the case of invoices remaining unpaid for a period of fourteen days or
more after the date of presentation, the Firm may charge interest to the Client
on the amount unpaid, calculated on a daily basis at the statutory rate from
time to time in force from the date of delivery of the account without prejudice
to any other rights of the Firm. The Firm also reserves the right to recover any
reasonable legal or third party fees in connection with the collection of debts
due to the Firm.
3.5.3 Payment on or before the due date is of the essence of the Contract and
in the event of a Client failing to make payment on the due date the Firm
reserves the right to decline to act any further.
3.5.4. If the Firm is working on behalf of the Client and anyone else as well,
the Client's liability to the Firm will be joint and several i.e. the Firm will be able
to claim the whole amount owed to it from any single party.
3.5.5 Whilst payment of the Firm's fees remains outstanding for 14 days or
more the Firm will not carry out any further work in the Client's matter and will
be entitled to exercise a lien over the client's file and papers. This means that
the Firm does not have to provide the Client with the file or a copy of it, or any
papers, until all outstanding monies are paid.
3.6 Public/Third Party Funding
3.6.1 In certain cases the Client may be eligible for Legal Aid Funding or
funding by an insurance policy and the Firm will discuss this possibility with
the Client whenever appropriate.
4.1 If the Firm holds money on the Client's behalf, interest will be paid to the
Client in accordance with the Solicitors' Accounts Rules 1998 (subject to the
minimum amount and periods of time therein prescribed) at the rate or rates
from time to time recoverable by the Firm from its bankers. The period from
which interest will be paid will normally run from the date on which cleared
funds are received by the Firm until the date of payment by the Firm of funds
to or on behalf of the Client.
4.2 In the cases where the Firm is to make a payment on behalf of the Client
(for instances in a conveyancing transaction or as a settlement payment in
litigation) the Firm requires to be placed in cleared funds at least one day
before the proposed date for payment. If payment to the Firm is by cheque,
five working days from receipt should be allowed for clearance. Where the
client is obtaining a loan from a third party, the Firm will request the advanced
payment from that third party in accordance with the foregoing. The third party
may charge interest from the date of issue of a cheque/payment.
5.1 During the retainer the Firm will endeavour to adhere to the following
standards
5.1.1 to keep the Client regularly informed of progress of his matter
5.1.2 explain the legal work that may be required
5.1.3 advise of the cost/risk benefit of pursuing a matter
5.1.4 advise on likely timescales involved in a matter
Some or all of the above may often be subject to review and change.
5.2 In order for the Firm to be able to adhere to its service standards
the Client must provide clear and prompt instructions and appropriate
documentation on request by the Firm.
5.3 If the Client is dissatisfied with the handling of his or her instructions by
the Firm, the Client may register the concern with his or her fee earner. This
may include a concern about the Firm's bill. If, following such reference,
the Client still remains dissatisfied, the Client may refer the matter to the
Firm's client care partner Mr Howard Freeman, who will cause it to be
thoroughly investigated and will make a ruling and the Client will receive a
written response. The Firm will provide a copy of its complaints procedure
on request. If after following the complaints procedure the Client still remains
dissatisfied, or more than 8 weeks have elapsed since making a complaint
under the complaints procedure without the complaint being resolved by
the Firm, he or she can refer the matter to the Legal Ombudsman, who
can be contacted on Telephone Number 0300 555 0333; or by email at
enquiries@legalombudsman.org.uk; or by post at PO Box 15870, Birmingham
B30 9EB.
The Firm maintains Professional Indemnity Insurance in accordance with the
requirements and rules of the Solicitors Regulation Authority. Details of the
policy and the territorial coverage of the policy are available for inspection at
the office of the Firm.
Despite the Firm's best efforts it may make a mistake, by which the Firm
means any breach of its duties to its Client. If as a result of such a mistake
the Client suffers loss, the Client may be entitled to claim against the Firm's
insurance policy. No liability is admitted or accepted by this statement. If the
Firm is found liable, or it is accepted it is liable to compensate the Client, the
Client agrees that its liability is limited in the following respects:
- The Firm's maximum liability for any mistake (except for fraud) is £5
million (unless a different amount is agreed with the Client in writing);
- This overall limit applies whether the mistake affects just one piece of
work the Firm does for its Client or several, so long as it is the same or a
similar mistake or the transactions are connected;
- For the purpose of the overall limit, more than one mistake on a matter or
transaction is considered as one mistake;
- The Firm is not liable to the extent that its mistake results from something
the Client does or fails to do (such as giving the Firm the wrong information,
or not giving the Firm information at the time the Firm asks for it or the
Client failing to provide the Firm with documents in the Client's control or
possession);
- If others are also responsible for the Client's loss, the Firm's liability is
limited to its fair share, whether or not the Client is able to recover the rest
from the others. These limits apply to the extent that they are permitted by
law.
- The Firm will not accept any liability for matters that require tax advice
but if such advice is required the Firm may be able to refer the Client to an
appropriate expert to whom an additional fee will be payable.
7.1 The Firm will, following completion of each matter store the Client's
working papers either in hard copy or soft/electronic/CD copy as long as it
reasonably considers necessary following which it will confidentially destroy
them. Generally, this will be 6 years after the file is completed. A nominal
charge will be made for this service. Currently the charge is £45 plus VAT per
file. If your case comprises more than one file the charge will be multiplied by
the number of files relevant to the case.
7.2 The Firm provides a custody service in respect of Wills, Deeds and other
securities. A nominal charge will be made for this service. Currently the
Charge is £30 + VAT per annum.
7.3 Where stored papers, Wills, Deeds or securities are retrieved from
storage by the Firm in connection with continuing or new Instructions to the
Firm, a fixed charge will normally be made for such retrieval of £30 + VAT.
However, the Firm reserves the right to make a further charge in connection
with perusal, correspondence or other work necessary to comply with any
instructions given by or on behalf of that Client.
7.4 If a client requests a copy of the Deeds or other documentation on the
clients file then the firm will charge 10p per sheet subject to a minimum
charge of £20 + VAT.
7.5 Without prejudice to any other remedies, the Firm shall have a general
right to retain all Deeds, working papers and other property in it's possession
and belonging to the Client until all sums due from the Client to the Firm have
been paid in full.
8.1 The Client may terminate its instructions to the Firm in writing at any
time but the Firm will be entitled to keep the Client's papers and documents
while there is money owing to the Firm for the Firm's charges, expenses and
disbursements.
8.2 In some circumstances the Firm may consider that it ought to stop
acting for the Client, for example, if the Client cannot give clear or proper
instruction on how the Firm is to proceed or if it is clear that the Client has lost
confidence in how the Firm is carrying out its work. The same would apply if it
appears to the Firm that there is an apparent conflict of interest between the
Client and another one of the Firm's Clients or an error has been made which
makes it inappropriate for the Firm to continue to act and to provide the Client
with proper independent advice. In this regard the Client should note that the
Firm often has a duty to a third party that may override its duty to the Client,
for example its duty to the Court. In such circumstances the Firm may also
stop acting for the Client.
8.3 If the Firm decides to stop acting for the Client, the Firm will give the Client
notice of such a decision. On any termination for any reason, the Firm will
retain our rights to payment under these terms.
Sometimes, legal work of the nature we do involves investments. The Firm is not authorised by the Financial Services Authority (FSA), and so may refer the Client to someone who is authorised to provide necessary advice. However, the Firm can provide certain limited services in relation to investments, provided they are closely linked with the legal services it is providing to its Clients, as it is regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
10.1 If the Firm is undertaking work on behalf of its Client which is regulated
work, as defined by the legislation governing money laundering, the Firm will
be obliged to carry out identity checks on its Client.
The Firm asks for its Client's co-operation in this regard. If the Firm is unable
to complete these checks it will not be able to carry out work on its Client's
behalf.
10.2 The forms of identification that may be required by the Firm are certified
copy passport or driving licence (incorporating photograph and possibly
the paper counterpart) and either a utility bill, bank statement or credit card
statement showing the home address of the Client dated within three months
of the start of the retainer. If we meet with you the original documents should
be produced and the copies do not need to be certified.
10.3 It is important that the Client should understand that, in certain
circumstances, the legislation referred to above may oblige the Firm to report
suspicions involving possible money laundering and terrorist financing to
the authorities. The Firm is prohibited from advising you of any such report it
makes (known as tipping off).
10.4 If, as a result of the Firm complying with the terms of this legislation, the
Firm would be obliged to do, or refrain from doing, anything in relation to the
Client's work whilst the authorities investigate the report, then the Firm shall
not be liable for any consequences of that.
10.5 The Firm's policy is to only accept cash up to the sum of £1000. If the
Client circumvents this policy by depositing cash direct with the Firm's bank
the Firm reserves the right to charge for any additional checks it deems
necessary regarding the source of the funds.
10.5 If the Client is an off-shore company or if the Firm considers it necessary
in all of the circumstances the Firm will require additional documentation to
ensure that it complies with the law on money laundering.
The Firm is not authorised by the Financial Services Authority. However the Firm is included on the register maintained by the Financial Services Authority so that it can carry on insurance mediation activity, which is broadly the advising on, selling and administration of insurance contracts. This part of the Firm's business, including arrangements for complaints or redress if something goes wrong, is regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. The register can be accessed via the Financial Services Authority website at www.fsa.gov.uk/register. The Law Society is a designated professional body for the purposes of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, but the responsibility for regulation and complaints handling has been separated from the Law Society's representative functions. The Solicitors Regulation Authority is the independent regulatory body of the Law Society and the Legal Ombudsman is the independent complaints handling body of the Law Society.
12.1 From time to time the Firm's administrative work such as typing and
copying is outsourced. Whilst every effort is made to protect confidentiality
there are by the nature of outsourcing potential risks involved. If the Client
objects to outsourcing in this manner he must inform the Firm failing which the
Firm does not accept liability for any failing in client confidentiality arising from
outsourcing. Further if the Client does not wish any work to be outsourced the
Firm reserves the right to make an additional administration charge relating to
the Client's work.
12.2 The Firm may be required to produce all or part of the Client's file to
assessors or auditors as part of an audit or quality check.
All money received on the Client's behalf will be held in the Firm's client account. Interest will be calculated and paid to the Client at the rate set by the Firm's Bank. This rate may change. The payment of interest is subject to certain minimum amounts and periods of time set out in the Solicitors' Accounts Rules 1998.
The Firm is registered under the Data Protection Act 1998. The Firm is
therefore authorised to collect and store personal data as to its clients. Please
note that the following terms of this paragraph apply to the data the Firm holds
at any time:
Personal data relating to the Client is being held electronically and in paper
records and files.
The only uses the Firm will make of that data are to carry out work on the
Client's behalf and for marketing purposes (unless at any time the Client
indicates that it does not want to receive any marketing contact from the Firm)
The Firm takes reasonable steps to secure access, storage and transmission
of any data collected and stored by the Firm.
The Firm will process data which it will collect in a way which is accurate, fair
and lawful.
The Firm is committed to promoting equality and diversity in all of its dealings with clients, third parties and employees, and is required to produce a written equality and diversity policy. Please contact the Firm if you would like us to send you a copy of that equality and diversity policy.
The Firm shall bear no liability for loss, damage or delay howsoever arising caused by circumstances outside its reasonable control of whatsoever kind.
If any part of these Conditions is held by any Court or competent authority as invalid, the validity of the remainder of these conditions and of the remainder of the provisions in question shall not be affected thereby.
The construction, validity and performance of this contract shall be governed in all respects by the Laws of England. The Firm and the Client submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English Courts.
