INFORMATION FOR CLIENTS

Set out below is the information required by the Rules of Conduct and Client Care for Lawyers of the New Zealand Law Society (" Law Society").

1. Fees:  The basis on which fees will be charged is set out in our letter of engagement.  When payment of fees is to be made is set out in our Standard Terms of Engagement.

We may deduct from any funds held on your behalf in our trust account any fees, expenses or disbursements for which we have provided an invoice.

2. Professional Indemnity Insurance:  We hold professional indemnity insurance that meets or exceeds the minimum standards specified by the Law Society.  We will provide you with particulars of the minimum standards upon request.

3. Lawyers' Fidelity Fund: The Law Society maintains the Lawyers' Fidelity Fund for the purpose of providing clients of lawyers with protection against pecuniary loss arising from theft by lawyers.  The maximum amount payable by the Fidelity Fund by way of compensation to an individual claimant is limited to $100,000.  Except in certain circumstances specified in the Lawyers and Conveyancers Act 2006, the Fidelity Fund does not cover a client for any loss relating to money that a lawyer is instructed to invest on behalf of the client.

4. Complaints:  We maintain a procedure for handling any complaints by clients, designed to ensure that a complaint is dealt with promptly and fairly.

If you have any concerns or complaints about your services, please raise them as soon as possible with the partner responsible for your business.  If you do not wish to refer your complaint to that partner or you are not satisfied with that partner’s response, you may refer your complaint to any of the partners of Urlich Milne Lawyers Limited.  We will inquire into your complaint and endeavour in good faith to resolve the matter with you in a way that is fair to all concerned.

If you are not satisfied by the way we have dealt with your complaint, the New Zealand Law Society has a complaints service to which you may refer the issue.

Matters may also be directed to:

Lawyers Complaint Service
P O Box 5041
Wellington 6140
New Zealand
Email:  complaints@lawsociety.org.nz

or phone 0800 261 801 and you will be connected to the nearest Complaints Service Office, which can provide information and advice about making a complaint.

5. Persons Responsible for the Work:  The names and status of the person or persons who will have the general carriage of or overall responsibility for the services we provide for you are set out in our letter of engagement.

6. Client Care and Service:  The Law Society client care and service information is set out below.

Whatever legal services your lawyer is providing, he or she must:

• Act competently, in a timely way, and in accordance with instructions received and arrangements made.
• Protect and promote your interests and act for you free from compromising influences or loyalties.
• Discuss with you your objectives and how they should best be achieved.
• Provide you with information about the work to be done, who will do it and the way the services will be provided.
• Charge you a fee that is fair and reasonable and let you know how and when you will be billed.
• Give you clear information and advice.
• Protect your privacy and ensure appropriate confidentiality.
• Treat you fairly, respectfully and without discrimination.
• Keep you informed about the work being done and advise you when it is completed.
• Let you know how to make a complaint and deal with any complaint promptly and fairly.

The obligations lawyers owe to clients are described in the Rules of Conduct and Client Care for Lawyers.  Those obligations are subject to other overriding duties, including duties to the courts and to the justice system. 

If you have any questions, please visit www.lawsociety.org.nz or call 0800 261 801.

7. Limitations on extent of our Obligations or Liability:  Any limitations on the extent of our obligations to you or any limitation or exclusion of liability are set out in our Letter of Engagement.