Introduction to Our Firm
A brief summary of the lawyers in our firm and their areas of practice is set out here.
Cyber Alert
We ask all clients to sign a cyber alert acknowledging the risks associated with hacking, in particular when bank account information is provided for money transfers. The cyber alert sets out procedures to reduce or eliminate the risk of third party interference and the loss of money. Our form of cyber alert can be downloaded here.
Verification of Identity (VOI)
We will usually need the identity of our clients to be verified, in particular for conveyancing and property matters. VOI requirements are here.
Retainer Agreements
We ask clients to enter into a retainer agreement with us, setting out the agreements and obligations with our clients. The format of retainer agreement depends on the nature of the matter and the amount of money involved.
For “standard” conveyancing matters, our retainer agreement (excluding the costs estimate and hourly rates which vary from time to time) is in the format here.
For other matters where the anticipated costs do not exceed $3,000 our retainer agreement (excluding the costs estimate and hourly rates which vary from time to time) is in the format here.
For matters where the anticipated costs are likely to exceed $3,000, there are further disclosures necessary which vary depending on the nature of the matter, but terms of our retainer agreement (excluding the costs estimates and hourly rates which vary from time to time) are in the format here.
No retainer obliges us to act unless we confirm that we have accepted it.
How You can Help
Once we have accepted a retainer from you, you can help by preparing the information that we are likely to need.
For Wills, the information that we are likely to need is in this instruction sheet here.
For Enduring Powers of Attorney, you should first read the guide which can be found here.
If you are intending to set up a discretionary trust, our instruction sheet is here If your matter involves the negotiation of a commercial agreement, you should write down exactly what you want to achieve from the transaction so that you can inform our lawyers. If you are involved in a dispute, assemble all of the relevant documents and correspondence, each in date order.
