Houghtons Solicitors Terms of Business

These rates are intended to be used where fixed fees cannot easily be quoted. Alternatively, we are pleased to negotiate retainers for general advice based on anticipated usage.

These rates do not include VAT (if chargeable) or additional expenses (also known as disbursements) like land or company registration fees, counsel's fees, court fees, local authority search fees, photocopying, faxes or courier charges which will be charged separately.

1.2 So far as practicable we will provide an estimate of the likely level of our fees and expenses which will be based on the anticipated amount of time to be spent on your matter. However, the estimate may change as the matter proceeds and in particular as it becomes clearer how much time is likely to be spent. We will let you know if it becomes apparent that we will have to spend significantly more time than initially anticipated and will provide a revised estimate as appropriate.

1.3 We may deliver interim accounts to you at regular intervals for work carried out. This will assist our cash flow and enable you to budget for our fees. It is important that you understand that our total charges and expenses may be greater than any advance payments made.

1.4 It is our practice to ask clients to make payments on account of anticipated fees and expenses. Pending application, these payments will be held in our clients account and will earn interest at the rates set out in the Solicitors Accounts (Deposit Interest) Rules 1988, as varied from time to time. Our standard minimum payment is £250 on account of such fees and expenses.

1.5 We reserve the right to charge for abortive work on the basis of the full charging rates set out above together with VAT and expenses incurred.

1.6 You may terminate your instructions to us in writing at any time. We will be entitled to keep all your papers and documents whilst there is money owing to us for our charges and expenses.

2. Accounts should be settled within 21 days unless that period is extended by express agreement in writing. We reserve the right to charge interest on outstanding fees, expenses and VAT at the rate of 2% per month. In the event of payment not being made we reserve the right to decline to act further on any matter.

3. Where appropriate, we may require an individual director or directors of corporate clients to indemnify us against any losses sustained by us in respect of non payment of fees, expenses and VAT by a corporate client.

4. Files will be retained for at least six years other than those relating to litigation matters which will only be retained for a minimum of three years. After such time we reserve the right to destroy any file.

5. Where funds are to be provided by you in connection with a transaction these should either be in the form of a banker's draft or by direct transfer to our bank account details of which will be provided on request. Personal cheques may not be accepted unless 5 working days are left for clearance. We reserve the right to charge interest on uncleared funds and to pass on to you all associated banking charges we incur on your behalf.

6. We maintain, as required by the Law Society's Solicitors Indemnity Rules cover for claims up to £3,000,000.

7. It is our aim to use e-mail whenever appropriate in our dealings with you and with other solicitors. The Internet is, however, an insecure medium. Messages may pass through unregulated service providers and networks are vulnerable to hacking. Nonetheless, we believe that the benefits of e-mail outweigh the disadvantages and accordingly :-

7.1 unless you specifically request us not to do so in writing, we may include confidential information in non encrypted e-mails and

7.2 whilst we will endeavour to maintain up to date technical precautions against the risk of viruses and malicious software being transmitted we will not be liable for damage or loss arising either directly or indirectly as a result of any virus being passed on.

8. Whilst we aim to provide a prompt efficient and effective service to you as our client, we have set up, an internal complaints procedure as required by the Law Society. If you do not feel that any matter has been satisfactorily dealt with please contact the Director responsible for your matter or another Director (if more appropriate) who will endeavour to resolve the problem or advise you of your rights as a client.

9. Nothing in these Terms of Business is intended to restrict your rights in law to challenge the level of our fees.

Terms of Business
Site Terms of Use Privacy Policy	1.1 Our fees are calculated in accordance with the Solicitors' Remuneration Order 1994 mainly by reference to the time spent by the person dealing with the matter on your behalf but they may also reflect the complexity or value of the transaction. Time spent on your affairs will include meetings with you and others; travelling, considering, preparing and working on papers, correspondence and making and receiving telephone calls. Our current range of charging rates reflects the individual's level of skill and experience and is as follows: - Hourly Rate
	Directors and Associates:	Up to £195 per hour
	Assistant Solicitors and Legal Executives:	Up to £125 per hour
	Paralegals, Trainees and Executives:	Up to £75 per hour
	These rates are intended to be used where fixed fees cannot easily be quoted. Alternatively, we are pleased to negotiate retainers for general advice based on anticipated usage. These rates do not include VAT (if chargeable) or additional expenses (also known as disbursements) like land or company registration fees, counsel's fees, court fees, local authority search fees, photocopying, faxes or courier charges which will be charged separately. 1.2 So far as practicable we will provide an estimate of the likely level of our fees and expenses which will be based on the anticipated amount of time to be spent on your matter. However, the estimate may change as the matter proceeds and in particular as it becomes clearer how much time is likely to be spent. We will let you know if it becomes apparent that we will have to spend significantly more time than initially anticipated and will provide a revised estimate as appropriate. 1.3 We may deliver interim accounts to you at regular intervals for work carried out. This will assist our cash flow and enable you to budget for our fees. It is important that you understand that our total charges and expenses may be greater than any advance payments made. 1.4 It is our practice to ask clients to make payments on account of anticipated fees and expenses. Pending application, these payments will be held in our clients account and will earn interest at the rates set out in the Solicitors Accounts (Deposit Interest) Rules 1988, as varied from time to time. Our standard minimum payment is £250 on account of such fees and expenses. 1.5 We reserve the right to charge for abortive work on the basis of the full charging rates set out above together with VAT and expenses incurred. 1.6 You may terminate your instructions to us in writing at any time. We will be entitled to keep all your papers and documents whilst there is money owing to us for our charges and expenses. 2. Accounts should be settled within 21 days unless that period is extended by express agreement in writing. We reserve the right to charge interest on outstanding fees, expenses and VAT at the rate of 2% per month. In the event of payment not being made we reserve the right to decline to act further on any matter. 3. Where appropriate, we may require an individual director or directors of corporate clients to indemnify us against any losses sustained by us in respect of non payment of fees, expenses and VAT by a corporate client. 4. Files will be retained for at least six years other than those relating to litigation matters which will only be retained for a minimum of three years. After such time we reserve the right to destroy any file. 5. Where funds are to be provided by you in connection with a transaction these should either be in the form of a banker's draft or by direct transfer to our bank account details of which will be provided on request. Personal cheques may not be accepted unless 5 working days are left for clearance. We reserve the right to charge interest on uncleared funds and to pass on to you all associated banking charges we incur on your behalf. 6. We maintain, as required by the Law Society's Solicitors Indemnity Rules cover for claims up to £3,000,000. 7. It is our aim to use e-mail whenever appropriate in our dealings with you and with other solicitors. The Internet is, however, an insecure medium. Messages may pass through unregulated service providers and networks are vulnerable to hacking. Nonetheless, we believe that the benefits of e-mail outweigh the disadvantages and accordingly :- 7.1 unless you specifically request us not to do so in writing, we may include confidential information in non encrypted e-mails and 7.2 whilst we will endeavour to maintain up to date technical precautions against the risk of viruses and malicious software being transmitted we will not be liable for damage or loss arising either directly or indirectly as a result of any virus being passed on. 8. Whilst we aim to provide a prompt efficient and effective service to you as our client, we have set up, an internal complaints procedure as required by the Law Society. If you do not feel that any matter has been satisfactorily dealt with please contact the Director responsible for your matter or another Director (if more appropriate) who will endeavour to resolve the problem or advise you of your rights as a client. 9. Nothing in these Terms of Business is intended to restrict your rights in law to challenge the level of our fees. Houghtons Solicitors Limited 1st March 2003
	Registered in England. Company No.3395121 VAT registration No.649 1298 08. Houghtons: Solicitors Limited is registered as a recognised body by the Law Society. Registered Office: Audit House, 260 Field End Road, Eastcote, Middlesex. HA4 9LT Directors: Antony Houghton Company Secretary: Susan Cadwallader