MANDLA BHOMRA & CO
Client Care and Terms of Business

General Basis for Acceptance of Instructions

The Solicitors Regulation Authority is the governing body of Solicitors. Professional Rules laid down by it require that clients be informed of terms of business of business. In this document we indicate the basis on which our firm carries out services on behalf of clients.

Mandla Bhomra & Co Solicitors are located at 19 Soho Road, Birmingham, B21 9SN. The normal hours of opening are 9.00 am until 5.00 pm Monday to Friday. It is possible for you to obtain an appointment for us to meet outside office hours if it is necessary.

We will provide you with an efficient, professional and effective service; represent your interests and keep your business confidential; explain to you the legal work required and the prospects of a successful outcome; make sure that you understand the likely degree of financial risk which you will be taking on; keep you regularly informed of progress or, if there is none, when you are next likely to hear from us; avoid using technical legal language when writing to you – tell us when we fail in this aim.

You have the following responsibilities as a client: to provide is with instructions in respect of the services you require; to inform us of any change in your address or telephone number, circumstances relevant to your case, your income or assets; to appear at the Court if so advised by us or if required by any Tribunal or Court; to keep appointments with us or to call us in advance to cancel the appointment; to pay the required costs for obtaining necessary documents; to avoid communication with opposing parties or their representatives without prior consultation with ourselves.

If you have an enquiry regarding your matter, you can contact the solicitor dealing with your matter. We will be free to use such members of our staff or agents in connection with your case as we consider to be appropriate.

Your papers and documents may be reviewed by external auditors, including auditors from the Law Society, Solicitors’ Regulation Authority and the Legal Aid Agency. This is necessary in order for us to provide our clients with a professional service, including where appropriate under the Legal Aid scheme.

Costs, disbursements and billing

1. Our professional costs

   Unless we are representing you under the Legal Aid Scheme (Criminal Legal Aid),

   We will charge either a fixed fee or a fee based on the time spent dealing with a matter. Please refer to your personal Terms of Business for the method of charging.

   Our costs are based on the time spent dealing with a matter. Time spent on your affairs will include meetings with you and others; considering, preparing and working on papers, including correspondence and making and receiving emails, messages and telephone calls with you, the court, and the other solicitors. Our charge rate will be set out in your personal Terms of Business. On 1 April each year the hourly rates are reviewed and we will notify you in writing of any increased rate. We will add VAT to our charges at the rate that applies when the work is done. At present VAT is 20%.

   Letters and telephone calls made and received are charged on a time basis of six minute units. If your instructions require us to work outside normal office hours we reserve the right to increase the hourly rate. If for any reason the work required is reduced we will charge for the work done and disbursements incurred but these charges will not exceed the current estimate.

   Estimate of costs

   Based on the information you provide us we will provide an estimate of the costs involved.

2. Other costs and disbursements

   There may be certain other disbursements, including payments we make on your behalf, such as search fees, Land Registry fees, Counsel’s fees and Expert’s fees which you will have to pay. VAT is also payable on some of these disbursements.

3. Initial costs

   As we expend funds on your behalf from commencement of the matter we may need to ask you for a payment on account of our costs, disbursements and VAT. If so, we will send you a statement requesting payment into our client account. From time to time we may ask for a top-up payment. If we ask for costs on account we are not obliged to do any work until they are received.

4. Paying the invoice

   Payment of invoices can be made by a number of methods, including bank transfer, credit or debit card and small amounts in cash. Payment by credit card should, wherever possible, be made personally at our offices. If this is not possible we reserve the right to require information sufficient to satisfy us that payment is being made by the card holder. In order to provide maximum protection against fraud we recommend that you always telephone our office to confirm bank account details before a transfer is made.

5. Billing

   For your matters we will send you a bill for our costs and disbursements when necessary. If the matter extends over a number of months we reserve the right to send bills at periodical intervals.

   You are entitled to complain about a bill. There may also be a right to object to the bill by making a complaint to the Legal Ombudsman or by applying to the court for an assessment of the bill under Part III of the Solicitors Act 1974.

   If a bill is not paid within seven days of sending the bill, or a final account is not paid within 14 days of sending the bill, we reserve the right to terminate your instructions and to retain your papers until such time as the account is paid.

Our service to you

We aim to offer our clients quality legal services at a fair cost. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity in our dealings with clients, third parties and employees.

We will:

1. Communicate in plain language;
2. Explain the legal work required as the matter progresses;
3. Provide regular updates on the cost and progress of the matter;
4. Provide updates on whether the likely outcomes still justify the likely costs and risks associated with the matter whenever there is a material change in circumstances;
5. Advise you of any circumstances and risks of which we are aware or consider to be reasonably foreseeable that could affect the outcome of the matter;
6. Notify you of any changes in the law which may affect the progress or likely outcome of the matter;
7. Continue to review whether the matter can be funded using alternative methods;
8. Respond to your queries promptly;
9. Deal with all information in accordance with our legal obligations under the Data Protection Act 2018.

We ask that you please:

1. Provide us with clear, timely and accurate instructions;
2. Keep us updated with information relevant to the matter;
3. Provide the relevant documents we need in a timely manner;
4. Attend all scheduled appointments on time;
5. Let us know of any change in your contact details;
6. Respond to our queries and requests promptly;
7. Pay our costs promptly.

Communications between us

We will communicate with you by email, telephone and/or letter. If you have a preferred method of communication please let us know. All emails received will undergo a virus check. Unless you withdraw consent, we will communicate with others when appropriate by email or fax, but we cannot be responsible for the security of correspondence and documents sent by email or fax. We do not accept service of documents by email.

Legal documents

During the time we are working with you it is likely we shall send you legal documents and papers to read and perhaps sign. These may be complex and onerous and we strongly recommend you carefully read these documents and come back to us if there is anything in them which is unclear.

Joint instructions

If you instruct us to act not only on your behalf but also on behalf of another person or persons in relation to the same matter, – for instance family members or business partners, –we are thereby authorised to act upon instructions received from any one on the assumption that they have authority to give instructions on behalf of all of them. However, prior to accepting initial instructions the identity of each client must be confirmed.

In the case of companies, the instructions may come from an individual director of the company unless otherwise instructed in writing. Unless agreed otherwise any one or more of those instructing jointly is jointly and severally liable for costs and disbursements.

Conflicts of interest

We will not act for two or more clients in the same matter where an actual or potential conflict of interest exists between those clients. We may act for two or more clients in the same matter if a substantially common interest exists and we have explained the relevant issues and risks to each client, who have subsequently given informed consent to us acting for all of them and we are satisfied that it is reasonable for us to do so, it is in the best interests of all clients and we are satisfied that the benefit outweighs the risks.

In any such case no individual within the firm will act for or be responsible for the supervision of work done for more than one of the clients. Appropriate safeguards will be in place to ensure each clients’ confidential information is protected. If for any reason we subsequently cease acting for one of the clients they will be required to pay the costs and disbursements incurred on their behalf up to that point.

Money held for and due

Money held on your behalf is paid into a client account at such bank as we reasonably employ in accordance with our regulator’s rules. We will pay money due to you by bank transfer or cheque as agreed where reasonably possible, or as we think appropriate. Interest will be paid on certain balances in accordance with our regulator’s rules. Where after completion of our work, or for any other reason, we retain a balance of your money we will return it to you on termination of instructions and completion of the matter. We will at all times take all reasonable steps to keep your money safe.

Limitation of liability

We do not accept liability for any loss or damage caused by negligence, non-performance or breach of duty to a value in excess of £3 million or such larger sum as may from time to time be the minimum level of cover prescribed for us by the Solicitors’ Regulation Authority unless we have made a special arrangement with you at the outset of your matter.

No member or employee of our firm will be liable to you for breach of contract or negligence in their personal capacity. Other than in respect of liability arising from fraud, personal injury or death, we do not accept liability for claims received more than 12 months from the conclusion of our work or, if not apparent within that time, more than 6 months after it becomes apparent. Your statutory rights remain unaffected.

Limited companies

When accepting instructions to act on behalf of a limited company we may require a director or controlling shareholder to sign a form of personal guarantee in respect of the legal costs and disbursements of this firm.

Tax advice

Any work that we do for you may have tax implications or necessitate the consideration of tax planning strategies. We may not be qualified to advise you on any specific tax implications of a matter that you have instructed us to deal with, or the likelihood of them arising. If you have any concerns in this respect please raise them with us immediately. If we can undertake the research necessary to resolve the issue we will do so and advise you accordingly. If we cannot, we may be able to identify a source of assistance for you. If we instruct specialist tax counsel on your behalf or refer the issue to tax advisers, we reserve the right to charge you the fees incurred in doing so.

Complaints

We are committed to high quality legal advice and client care. If you are unhappy about any aspect of the service or about the bill, please contact Sukhdev Bhomra so that we can do our best to resolve the problem. If you still have queries or concerns, please contact Sukhdev Bhomra who is the client care partner to whom any final issues can be reported.

We are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority and complaints and redress mechanisms are provided through them and the Legal Ombudsman. All law firms are obliged to attempt to resolve problems that clients may have with the service provided. It is therefore important that you immediately raise your concerns with us. If we are unable to resolve any such concerns to your satisfaction within eight weeks you are entitled to make a complaint to the Legal Ombudsman: www.legalombudsman.org.uk or PO Box 6806 Wolverhampton WV1 9WJ.

The Legal Ombudsman investigates complaints about legal services. Normally complaints need to be made to the Legal Ombudsman within six months of receiving our final written response to your complaint.

Complaints about a client’s rights under the General Data Protection Regulation must be submitted to the Information Commissioner’s Office: ico.org.uk.

Any disputes or legal issues arising from our Client Care and Terms of Business will be determined by the laws of England and Wales and considered exclusively by the English and Welsh courts.

Anti-money laundering procedures

In accordance with the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 law firms are obliged to obtain certain information to establish the correct identity and address of clients. In certain circumstances we may be under an obligation to submit a report to the authorities if we have reason to suspect offences concerned with money laundering may have been committed or might be committed.

By accepting this Client Care and Terms of Business you accept that we are entitled to require you to produce appropriate evidence of your identity and address, that we may submit reports to the relevant authorities concerning your business and that we shall not be liable in any circumstance for any losses which you might incur as a consequence of any such steps which we might properly take in pursuance of our statutory obligations under anti-money laundering legislation.

In carrying out our statutory obligations we may incur certain expenses in order to verify the identity of a client to the satisfaction of the authorities, for example company search fees.

Acceptable identification documents

Acceptable evidence of personal identity includes:

– Current valid passport with a UK residence permit if appropriate;

– EU member state identity card;

– Current EU or UK photocard driving licence; or

– Armed Forces ID card.

Evidence of address can be determined by:

– Confirmation from the electoral register;

– Recent utility bill, bank statement or mortgage statement with the current address;

– Local authority rates or council tax bill;

– Current UK driving licence, but only if not used as evidence of personal identity;

or

– Local council rent card or tenancy agreement.

Pooled funds

The anti-money laundering guidance which UK banks and other finance services firms must adhere to is issued by the Joint Money Laundering Steering Group (JMLSG). The JMLSG does not require banks to routinely identify the beneficial owners of law firm’s pooled accounts as they do with most other accounts on the proviso that this information is available upon request. In the event of our bank requesting information about the beneficial owners of our pooled client account you agree to us disclosing your details to them. If further information including verification documentation is required from you in order to identify the owners of funds held by us, you agree to provide it.

Data protection and UK General Data Protection Regulation privacy notice

We use the information that you provide to us primarily for the provision of legal services to you and for related purposes including:

1. Updating and enhancing client records;
2. Analysis to help us manage our practice;
3. Statutory returns; and
4. Legal and regulatory compliance.

Our use of that information is subject to your instructions, the Data Protection Act 2018, the General Data Protection Regulation and our duty of confidentiality. The Data Protection Act 2018 requires us to advise you that your particulars are held on our database and from time to time we may use these details to send you information which we think might be of interest. If you do not wish to receive that information please notify our office in writing. We do not make such information available to any other provider of products or services. If you are an individual you have the right under the Data Protection Act 2018 to obtain information from us, including a description of the data that we hold about you. Should you have any queries concerning this right please contact our data protection officer Sukhdev Bhomra.

Handling your personal data

We confirm the following: the fee earner handling your matter, their secretary and any legal assistant within the firm may handle your data; your personal data will remain confidential; your personal data will be used to carry out an identification check as is usual in this type of transaction, to make contact with you for the duration of the matter and to ensure that funds are sent or received to facilitate the transaction; the processing of your personal data is necessary for the purposes of the legitimate interests pursued by the firm or by a third party, except where such interests are overridden by the interests or fundamental rights and freedoms of an individual which require protection of personal data, in particular where the individual about whom data is held is a child; it may be necessary to provide third parties with your data to effect the transaction, namely other law firms, search providers, government departments including HM Revenue & Customs, the Land Registry and IT service suppliers.

Fair and transparent processing

We confirm the following: your personal data will not be retained for any longer than is necessary to fulfil the firm’s statutory obligations; upon signing the client care documentation provided to you at the outset of the matter you will be confirming that the contract which exists between us gives us the right to process your data in relevant and applicable ways; you have the right to request from the firm access to and rectification or erasure of personal data or restriction of processing concerning your personal data; you have the right to object to processing; you have the right to data portability; you have the right to contact the Information Commissioner’s Office in relation to any concerns you may have with regard to the processing of your personal data.

By accepting this Client Care and Terms of Business you agree to provide personal data and consent to our use of it accordingly.

Confidentiality and disclosure

We must observe a general duty of confidentiality. Subject to data protection legislation and our duty of confidentiality we may share your personal data with:

1. Third parties and other persons who help us provide our products and services;
2. Companies and other persons providing services to us;
3. Our legal and other professional advisors, including our auditors in the conduct of audit or quality checks on our practice;
4. Fraud prevention agencies, reference agencies and debt collection agencies during your service management;
5. Government bodies and agencies in the UK and overseas;
6. Courts to comply with legal requirements and for the administration of justice;
7. To other parties connected with your matters; and
8. Anyone else with your consent or as required by law.

Circumstances where it may be necessary for our firm to disclose information about you other than as a result of the normal conduct of your matter include:

1. In an emergency or to otherwise protect your vital interests;
2. To protect the security or integrity of our business operations.

External firms or organisations are required to maintain confidentiality in relation to your files.

We use cloud storage for client files. Our cloud software provider is LEAP. LEAP’s cloud infrastructure is provided and maintained by industry leading cloud platform provider Amazon Web Services. Amazon Web Services demonstrates a commitment to information security at every level of the organisation and complies with internationally recognised standards, the General Data Protection Regulation and the Data Protection Act 2018.

Monitoring communications

We will monitor and maintain on file, be it paper, electronic or both, records of our calls, letters, emails, text messages, social media messages and other communications in relation to your dealings with us. We will do this for regulatory compliance, self-regulatory practices, crime prevention and detection, to protect the security of our communications systems and procedures, for quality control and staff training and in preparation for circumstances where a record of what has been said becomes necessary.

Storage of documents

After completing the work we will be entitled to keep all of your papers and documents while there is still money owed to us for costs and disbursements. The retention of files varies according to the type of matter completed. For example, in the case of matrimonial files we will generally retain a file for 6 years. We will retain ID documentation for 5 years only. If you require your files to be retained longer you must instruct us accordingly. On the completion of the retention period the file is destroyed.

Time limits imposed by documents such as final court orders or settlement agreements are your responsibility to diarise. The firm does not take responsibility for diarising dates which occur after a transaction is concluded for you. In certain circumstances, and only by express agreement with you, the firm will diarise dates. We shall not be responsible for advising you of any future changes in the law which may impact upon you.

If we take papers out of storage in relation to continuing or new instructions to act for you, we will not normally charge for such retrieval. However, we may charge you for time spent producing stored papers and reading and related work to comply with your instructions. We will not destroy documents deposited into safe custody.

Professional indemnity insurance

We have professional indemnity insurance in accordance with statutory requirements. Our professional indemnity insurance cover does not extend to damages or other monetary awards, judgments or negotiated settlements or claims made or suits brought before any arbitrator, tribunal or court in countries other than the United Kingdom.

Financial Conduct Authority

Where work involves investments, although we are not authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority to give advice, we are able to refer you to an authorised advisor. We can provide limited services in relation to investments, provided they are closely linked with our legal services as regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.

Criminal Legal Aid Matters

Legal Aid at the Police Station: Under this scheme, where a person is suspected of having committed an offence, the suspect receives free advice from a Solicitor (or his representative). The advice can be given face to face or over the telephone. There is no means test and no form to complete; this system only applies whilst the suspect is at the Police Station.

Legal Aid at Court: If a person is charged, legal aid may pay for some or all of the costs of legal representation in Court. It’s not available for all cases as it’s targeted at those who need it most. A person must apply for legal aid on a CRM 14 and/or CRM 15 form and submit this to Legal Aid Agency for consideration. The Legal Aid Agency process the application in line with the Criminal Legal Aid Manual which will determine whether the person is liable for any of their defence costs.

Two tests will be applied and both must be passed to get legal aid.

The Interests of Justice Test: This determines whether an applicant is entitled to legal aid based on the merits of the case. The application is made on CRM 14 to the Legal Aid Agency. If a person passes the interests of justice test they must also pass the means to qualify for legal aid. In general the more serious the charge or possible consequences of the charge the more likely that the case meets this test. Some of the following criteria are considered: whether it is likely that the person may lose their liberty, the person may lose their livelihood, there may be serious damage to their reputation, a substantial question of law is involved, they will be unable to understand court proceedings, witnesses need to be traced, it is necessary to cross examine witnesses and it is in the interests of another person that they are represented. If legal aid is refused there is an appeal process available.

The Means Test: In the Magistrates Court if a person passes the interests of justice test and the means test they will receive legal aid for representation. The Means Test looks at a person’s income, family circumstances, and essential living costs like a mortgage or rent. The test decides if they can afford to pay all or some of their defence costs and is applied differently from Crown Court cases. In the Magistrates Court where a person fails the means test they must pay privately for all the cost of their representation.

In the Crown Court if a person passes the interests of justice test they will automatically be entitled to legal aid. However some people may have to contribute towards their defence costs. The type of proceedings that a person is facing in the Crown Court will determine how the means test will be applied. This is different from the Magistrates Court scheme where those who fail the means test must pay privately for all the cost of their representation.

Appeals to the Crown Court: The means test will only consider a person’s income. A person may be liable for a fixed sum contribution at the end of their appeal if they fail the means test and their appeal is unsuccessful. A person may be liable for a fixed sum contribution if they abandon their appeal.

Making contributions in the Crown Court: There are two types of contribution at the Crown Court, either from income and/or capital. A person may have to pay all, some or none of their defence costs depending on what the means test decides they can afford from their income and capital assets.

Payments from Income in the Crown Court: If a person has to make contributions from income, this will begin once their case has been sent to the Crown Court. At the end of the case, if a person is found not guilty they will get all their contributions back.

Payment from Capital in the Crown Court: If a person is found guilty or they plead guilty, they may have to pay towards their defence costs from capital if they have assets of £30,000 or more.

If a person is acquitted of the offence/offences alleged against them, then they would be able to make an application for a defence cost order to recover legal expenses from Central Funds. This is a separate source of funding from legal aid that is managed by the Ministry of Justice. The Maximum that can be reclaimed is the same as would have been paid by legal aid.

The legal aid representation order granted to a person only permits limited work to be carried out under the Legal Aid Scheme. If we need to work in excess of the limits of the representation order, we will need to obtain prior authorisation from the Legal Aid Agency. We will apply for any such extension where necessary. We will represent you within the scope of the representation order granted to you. We may cease acting for you upon reasonable notice (subject to Court’s Approval, if required) where you have prevented us from properly conducting the case, for example, by failing to give proper instructions to us or if a substantial dispute arises between you and us concerning the conduct of the case.

Lexcel Quality Standard

Mandla Bhomra & Co has achieved the Lexcel Quality Standard pf the Law Society. As a result we are subject to periodic checks by outside assessors. The Lexcel audit procedure requires examination of client files from time to time. Your file may be selected for auditing. If that happens the examination is conducted under strictly controlled circumstances and only with duly appointed and qualified individuals. By accepting our terms and conditions you agree that we will act in accordance with the terms of the Lexcel Standard of the Law Society. This includes consent to disclosure of your confidential file if necessary. Such consent may be withdrawn by you in writing at any time.

Financial Services Compensation Scheme

We have no expertise in relation to the fitness for purpose or solvency of any bank. We assume that any bank licensed to operate by the appropriate statutory authority in the jurisdiction in which it operates will be able to honour its obligations. Accordingly we will have no liability to you in the event of the bank at which the firm’s client account is held becoming insolvent or being unable to meet its obligations. In such an event you may be eligible for limited compensation from the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS). In the event of our client account holder’s collapse you consent to us disclosing your details to the FSCS for the purposes of making a claim on your behalf. We currently hold our client account funds in Barclays Bank. The £85,000 FSCS limit will apply to each individual client. If you hold personal money in an account with the same bank as our client account the limit remains £85,000 in total.

Recovering legal costs and disbursements

If a court orders another party to pay some or all of your legal costs and disbursements it is important to appreciate that you have to pay the legal costs and disbursements in the first place and any amounts then recovered will be repaid to you. The other person will not be liable to pay the VAT element of costs if you are able to recover the VAT yourself.

If the other party is in receipt of legal aid no costs are likely to be recovered.

You will be responsible for paying our costs and disbursements of seeking to recover any costs that the court orders the other party to pay to you.

A client who is unsuccessful in a court case may be ordered to pay the other party’s legal costs and disbursements which would be in addition to our legal costs and disbursements. Arrangements can be made to take out insurance to cover liability for these circumstances. Please discuss this with us if you are interested in this possibility.

Terminating the retainer

You may end your instructions to us in writing at any time but we can keep all your papers and documents while there is still money owed to us for costs and disbursements. We will only cease acting for you on good reason and after giving you reasonable notice. Possible reasons for our firm to terminate our retainer with you may include:

1. Failure to respond twice to requests for instructions;
2. Failure to respond to a request for information required by the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002;
3. Failure to comply with a request for payment on account of costs and disbursements;
4. Failure to pay a bill submitted for payment;
5. If a conflict of interest arises whereby we are no longer able to continue acting for you.

We also reserve the right to stop acting at any time in the event of rude or abusive conduct being directed against any member of staff. If we stop acting for you, you must pay our charges up until that point. These are calculated by proportion of the agreed fee.

Distance selling – The Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013

If we have not met you in person, because for example instructions and signing of the contract documentation is taking place by telephone, mail, email or on-line – by way of a ‘distance’ contract – or we have taken instructions and a contract has been concluded away from our business premises, because for example we have met with you at home by way of an ‘off-premises’ contract and the contract was entered into on or after 14 June 2014, you have the right to cancel this contract within 14 calendar days of entering into the contract without giving any reason. The cancellation period will expire after 14 calendar days from the day of the conclusion of the contract.

To exercise your right to cancel you must inform us of your decision to cancel this contract by a clear statement, for example a letter sent by post, fax or email. You may use the model cancellation form on our website but this is not obligatory. We will acknowledge receipt of such a cancellation on a durable medium, for example by email, without delay. To meet the cancellation deadline you must send your communication concerning your exercise of the right to cancel before the cancellation period has expired.

Should you require the work to be commenced within the 14 calendar day cancellation period you must provide your agreement to that in writing, by email, post or fax to enable us to do so. By signing and returning one copy of this document, you are confirming that we can begin work immediately. Where you have provided your consent for work to commence within the 14 calendar day cancellation period and you later exercise your right to cancel, you will be liable for any costs, VAT and disbursements incurred up to the point of cancellation. Unless you make an express request for us to commence work within the 14 day period we will not be able to undertake any work during that period.

Continuing instructions

When you instruct us, we will send a confirmation of the person dealing with your matter and an estimate of the costs and timescale. Unless otherwise agreed, and subject to the application of then current hourly rates, those details and these Terms of Business shall apply to any future instructions given by you to this firm.

Although your instructions to us will amount to an acceptance of our Terms of Business, it may not be possible for us to start work on your behalf until certain documents have been returned to us and funds have been provided if we have requested them.

If you require clarification on any of these points please do not hesitate to let us know.