Fees & Professional Standards

Instructions
We will act in accordance with your instructions from time to time which instructions we will, when either you ask us to or we see fit, confirm in writing. If you wish to terminate our retainer prior to conclusion of the matter, such termination must be in writing and delivered to the office of Blacks dealing with the matter, and marked for the attention of the person dealing with it.

Personnel
At the outset of a matter we will advise you of the personnel who will be handling the matter.

Reporting
We will report to you on the progress of the matter from time to time, in accordance with your requirements. Copies of all documentation and correspondence will be forwarded to you, if appropriate, or if you so request.

Fees
Fees charged will be based firstly upon time spent in connection with the matter. All time spent is recorded, including all attendances, meetings and conferences, telephone calls, letters written, perusal and preparation of documents, and traveling. The time spent is charged at the hourly rate of the fee earner concerned.

The hourly rates are subject to annual review, and after such review you will be advised of any revised hourly rates. In addition to the value of the time spent on the matter, the fees will reflect all other relevant circumstances, including the importance and complexity of the matter, its monetary value, and any urgency connected with the matter which might require it to be afforded unusual priorities. All fees are subject to the addition of Value Added Tax.

Interim Accounts
We reserve the right to raise interim accounts at intervals of every three months, or when the value of work carried out (since the last interim account) reaches £750.

Disbursements
Other than minor out-of-pocket expenses, we reserve the right to require payment in advance in respect of all disbursements to be incurred including but not limited to fees payable to Counsel.

Cash Receipts
We are unable to accept payments in cash, either in connection with the retainer or in settlement of our account, as we do not have appropriate security facilities.

Third Party Payments
We reserve the right to decline to accept instructions to send any funds to a third party, other than to you.

Quality of Service
Every effort will be made to comply with your instructions and to give you the best possible service. If you feel that for any reason we have failed to do so, please say so by first discussing it with the person handling the matter. If this does not resolve the matter, please ask for a copy of our Complaints Procedure.