Information for clients

1.    Introduction

Set out below is information that we are required to provide to you by the Lawyers and Conveyancers Act (Lawyers: Conduct and Client Care) Rules 2008 (“Rules”).

2.    Fees

The basis on which fees will be charged and payments are to be made is set out in paragraph 3 of our Terms of Engagement which you can find on our website. 

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.

3.    Professional Indemnity Insurance

We hold professional indemnity insurance that meets or exceeds the minimum standards specified by the Rules.  We will also provide you with particulars of the minimum standards on request.

4.    Lawyers’ Fidelity Fund

The New Zealand Law Society maintains the Lawyers’ Fidelity Fund for the purposes 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 & 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.

5.    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 a complaint about our services or charges, you may refer your complaint to the person in our firm who has overall responsibility for your work.

If you do not wish to refer your complaint to that person, or you are not satisfied with that person’s response to your complaint, you may refer your complaint to:

Desiree Mason
Practice Manager
P O Box 33-1028
Takapuna,
Auckland 0740
Telephone:  (09) 489 9102

The New Zealand Law Society also maintains a complaints service and you are able to make a complaint to that service.  To do so you should contact the New Zealand Law Society:
visit: www.lawsociety.org.nz, call 0800 261 801, or write to the New Zealand Law Society, PO Box 5041, Lambton Quay, Wellington 6145.

6.    Person Responsible for the Work

The name and status of the person who will have overall responsibility for the services we provide for you are notified to you in writing.

7.    Client Care and Service

The New Zealand Law Society client care and service information is set out below.

Regardless of what legal services we (as your lawyers) are providing, we 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. 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.

8.    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 will be notified to you in writing.

Armstrong Murray