Terms of business
These terms summarise how we work. The client care letter issued at the start of your matter contains the terms that apply to you specifically, and it prevails over this summary.
Scope of the retainer
We will advise on the legal aspects of the matter set out in your client care letter. We do not advise on the commercial wisdom of a transaction, the physical condition or value of a property, or tax matters beyond Stamp Duty Land Tax on the transaction itself.
We do not carry out a survey or inspect the property. You should obtain your own survey appropriate to the age and construction of the property.
Charges and payment
Our fee is set out in your quote and client care letter, plus VAT and disbursements. Money on account is required for disbursements incurred at the outset. Our final account is settled from completion monies, or is payable within 14 days where there are no such monies.
If a matter does not proceed, we will charge for the work carried out and disbursements incurred to that point. We may charge interest on overdue accounts at the statutory rate.
Holding your money
Client money is held in a client account with a bank authorised in the UK, operated in accordance with the SRA Accounts Rules. Interest is accounted for under our written interest policy, a copy of which is available on request.
Cyber-fraud warning. Our bank details will not change during your matter. If you receive any communication purporting to change them, do not act on it. Telephone us on our published number and verify. We accept no responsibility for funds sent to an account not verified with us by telephone.
Limitations and insurance
We maintain professional indemnity insurance to at least the minimum level required by the SRA. Details of our insurer and territorial coverage are available on request and are set out in your client care letter.
Our liability to you is limited as stated in your client care letter. Nothing in these terms limits liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, for fraud, or for anything which cannot lawfully be limited.
Our advice is for you alone and may not be relied upon by any third party without our written consent.
Communication, termination and law
We will normally communicate by email unless you ask otherwise. Email is not a secure medium and we cannot guarantee that messages will not be intercepted or delayed.
You may terminate our retainer at any time in writing. We may cease to act for good reason — for example where we cannot obtain proper instructions, where a conflict arises, or where our account remains unpaid — giving you reasonable notice. Fees for work done remain payable.
These terms are governed by the law of England and Wales, and the courts of England and Wales have exclusive jurisdiction. Ashraf Legal Ltd is regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority under number 803621.