The way we look after our clients has always been the most important part of the way we do business.

Since the Lawyers and Conveyancers Act came into force in 2008, the New Zealand Law Society now requires all member firms to send you, or have available to you, a Terms of Engagement letter as well as its Rules of Conduct and Client Care.

The Terms of Engagement set out what we will do for you, what we charge you and how you can pay and so on.

The Client Care Rules explain about your rights when receiving advice from a lawyer, gives details about our professional indemnity insurance, the Law Society’s Fidelity Fund and procedures for handling any complaints.

But most importantly, you need to know what we will do for you.

Our Promise to You

We are committed to do our best to ensure your legal needs and your expectations of us are met, and that your desired outcomes are achieved.

We will:

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

If you instruct us to act for you, we will send you a formal letter of engagement. This letter gives the name and contact details of the lawyer responsible for your work, the basis of our charges and billing arrangements. We also have standard Terms of Engagement which outlines how we do business with you, billing arrangements and so on.

The New Zealand Law Society (NZLS) asks all member law firms to provide clients with the Client Care Rules. These explain your rights when receiving legal services from a lawyer.