Terms and Privacy Policy
Solvelaw Limited T/A Solve, The Business Lawyers – Term of Business.
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- INTRODUCTION
Director: Amit Sharma is a solicitor and member of the Law Society.
For the purpose of these Terms “We” “Our” “Us” or “the Consultancy” capitalised or not means
Solve, The Business Lawyers (“Solve” ) which is a limited company in England and Wales, and whose
registered office is situated in 16 High Holborn, London WC1V 6BX hereafter the Office. References
to “you”, “your” etc mean you as the Client whether natural or legal person or other body howsoever
existing. Any business legal non reserved work conducted with us is solely with the Consultancy and
the Consultancy has sole legal liability for the work done for you and for any act or omission in the
course of that work. No director member, partner, principal, employee, associate or consultant of
the Consultancy will have any personal liability for work undertaken for you. If a member, partner,
principal, employee, associate or consultant signs in his or her own name any letter or other
document in the course of carrying out that work it does not mean he or she is assuming any personal
legal liability for that letter or document. - GENERAL BASIS FOR ACCEPTANCE OF INSTRUCTIONS
(a) It is agreed that you have been referred to the Consultancy by an approved or regulated entity which
may or may not be a solicitors practice in respect of these Instructions. Instructions will be accepted
or declined in accordance with these terms here and now. All instructions will be in English and if you
need a translator then this is your expense but you will be deemed to have full command in English
on the acceptance of these terms.
(b) We will be free to use such members of our staff or agents in connection with your case as We
consider to be appropriate and in your best interests.
(c) You will notify us in writing if communications are to be sent to you other than at the postal address,
fax number or email address you have provided, and whether particular advice is to remain
undisclosed to other persons associated with you. Unless you tell us not to do so We may
communicate to you by email and do not accept responsibility for any breach of confidentiality which
may occur, whether because of a fault or omission on your part or by any of your agents or the result
of any action of a third party.
(d) You will provide us with a full description of the services you require and a statement of your
objectives.
(e) You will provide us with sufficient information to enable us to carry out our work. This will include
relevant documents, notes, agreements, emails, correspondence and personal statements.
(f) Where our services are supplied to two or more persons then your liability for our costs is joint and
several; you will each be liable for any amounts due to us. If a third party or other source is to be
responsible, this must be agreed with us before work is undertaken.
(g) It is our practice to check for conflicts of interest in appropriate cases. However, an actual or potential
conflict between your interests and the interests of another advised party may arise during the
course of a matter. If this situation arises during our dealings with you We will discuss it with you and
determine the appropriate course of action. In order to protect your interests We may not be
permitted to continue to act for you.
Solvelaw Limited T/A Solve, The Business Lawyers – Term of Business.
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(h) If We are instructed to act for a third party, in circumstances where We hold information which is
confidential to you which would be material and adverse to that third party, We may accept that
party’s instructions provided that We put in place such information barrier as may be suitable (as the
same may from time to time be amended) to prevent the passage of that information to the third
party. Your consent to our proceeding in that manner is deemed to have been explicitly given by your
agreeing to these Terms.
(i) Your papers and documents may be reviewed by external consultants.
2.1 The scope of your instructions will be a document sent either by ordinary post, or other electronic
means which will set out in some details what we will be doing for you and what we will not be doing,
in addition to the exclusion set out in clause 3 below.
2.2 The scope of your instructions is accepted by you and us to be dynamic in nature as it is reasonable
for matters not be entirely foreseeable in outcome and the scope may need updating during the
progress of any matter with us.
2.3 We shall give notice of change in scope by methods specified in clause 2.1 and you will accept the
change upon receipt or you may seek further clarification before accepting or you may reject the
change in scope in writing at which point we may consider it appropriate to stop acting.
2.4 You will provide your position on our interest policy at the start of your instructions which applies to
sums held by us in any client bank account, the sample policy subject to change without notice shall
be found on our website. - TAX / INSURANCE MEDIATION ADVICE / RESERVED LEGAL SERVICES
We will not advise on any tax / insurance mediation issues / reserved legal services and We will
assume that you are obtaining separate advice on them. We may warn you of any potential liability
insofar as We would be reasonably being aware but We exclude all liability for any issues arising
thereof. - COSTS AND DISBURSEMENTS
(a) Except where We agree a fixed or scaled fee, our professional charges are usually (but please see
paragraph 4(b) below) based on the time We spend or We estimate on dealing with your
instructions. Chargeable time will include meetings with you and others; any time spent travelling;
considering, preparing and working on papers; correspondence including faxes and emails; and
making and receiving telephone calls including calls to and from you. All letters and telephone calls
will be charged on a time basis. We record time in minimum units of six minutes.
(b) In addition to the time charges referred to in paragraph (
a) our costs will also be assessed by reference to the other factors set out as below)
(i) the complexity of the matter;
(ii) the skill, labour, specialised knowledge and responsibility involved;
(iii) the number and importance of documents prepared or considered;
(iv) the amount or value of any money or property involved; and
Solvelaw Limited T/A Solve, The Business Lawyers – Term of Business.
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(v) the importance of the matter to you.
(c) Wherever possible We will, upon accepting instructions, give you an estimate of the likely costs
involved and will revise that estimate from time to time if it becomes necessary. Likewise We will
give you an estimate of disbursements that are likely to be incurred. If We have provided you with a
written estimate, it is given only as a guide to assist you in budgeting and should not be regarded as
a fixed quotation.
(d) Our costs take into account our incidental disbursements such as normal postage and normal
telephone charges. This is suitable We will charge to costs as a flat administration fee. We will charge
you for any other expenses We incur in connection with your business including printing, exceptional
photocopying and typing requirements, couriers and any exceptional telephone (including overseas
and conference calls) and/or fax costs. We will not add a handling charge to the cost of bank transfers
to cover the time of Accounts staff.
(e) Our current hourly charging rates for fee-earners are as set out in the schedule accompanying our
engagement letter.
(f) Unless otherwise agreed, our charges will be payable whether or not any particular matter proceeds
to completion or other suitable finality. If a matter aborts then we will charge an abortive fee based
on the amount of time taken in the matter. For conveyancing matters this would be at the point up
to exchange usually.
(g) The Consultancy is not currently VAT registered but if this changes We will give you notice of such
change. - PAYMENT
(a) Any account rendered by us is due for payment on delivery and interest will be charged at 15 per
cent above the base rate applied from time to time by Bank of England on any balance outstanding
after 30 days. If any element of a bill is queried that part of the bill which has not been queried is to
be paid in any event.
(b) We may from time to time deduct sums due to us from monies in hand on your account.
(c) We may from time to time invoice you on account of the final bill for costs and disbursements. Such
invoices may be sent periodically in accordance with our engagement letter or at any natural break
in the instructions.
(d) If you have any query about your invoice, including the basis on which it has been calculated, you
should contact the principal with day-today responsibility for your work as soon as possible and in
any event within 30 days, after which We will treat the amount shown in the invoice as recoverable
by any means.
(e) Late payment falling outside the 30 days period from the day after the date of the invoice and ending
with the 30th day ending 23.59:59 shall attract a late payment fee which shall be 25% of the balance
outstanding after the time above in addition to the balance and interest which would ordinarily be
payable.
(f) Any balances which are not paid within 60th day ending 23.59:59 shall be processed as a liquidated
debt owed by you and court action or assignment of the debt may take place.
(g) Any dishonoured payments howsoever made will attract a fee of £75.00.
Solvelaw Limited T/A Solve, The Business Lawyers – Term of Business.
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(h) All work must be pre-funded before any work can begin and note that we do not operate any such
client accounts. - TERMINATION
We will on giving reasonable notice be free to refuse to act or continue acting in accordance with
these term in particular if:–
(a) We are or may be in breach of the law or the principles of professional conduct by accepting or
continuing to accept instructions;
(b) We consider there is or may be a conflict or risk of conflict between your interests and those of any
other client of ours or the Consultancy;
(c) any account rendered by us in respect of fees or disbursements has not been paid within 30 days of
its date; or
(d) any request for money on account of costs or disbursements incurred or to be incurred has not been
complied with within one Week of it being made.
(e) We may also discontinue acting on other reasonable grounds.
(f) You can terminate your instructions at anytime and for any reason with immediate effect. - CONSEQUENCES OF TERMINATION
If our instructions are terminated for any reason or we terminate your instructions then We may in
addition to any other remedy available to us:–
(a) retain any deeds, securities or other documents under our control;
(b) retain any monies for the time being standing to any account you may have with us;
until payment has been made of all outstanding costs and disbursements (including, in both cases,
any not yet billed) together with VAT and costs and disbursements incurred in connection with the
termination.
(c) If We cease acting for you, We shall, where relevant, apply at your expense to remove ourselves from
the court or tribunal record if applicable. - CONTINUING OBLIGATIONS
(a) The Consultancy shall not be under any continuing obligation to advise you of changes in the law
which may affect advice previously given and any advice would correct at the time only.
(b) All communications generated between us during the currency of our retainer shall remain
confidential and shall not be disclosed to any third party without your consent.
Solvelaw Limited T/A Solve, The Business Lawyers – Term of Business.
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(a) If you have a concern about any aspect of our service including any aspect of any bills or invoices, it
should be raised immediately with the Solicitor dealing with your matter or, if substantial, in writing
to the Director. The details of this procedure can be found on our website.
(b) Any complaint will be investigated further if necessary and remedied promptly, if possible. You have
the right to take independent advice from a solicitor in any case where you have, or may have, a
complaint against us.
(c) You should note that complaints raised more than 6 calendar months after submission of an invoice
will not ordinarily be entertained.
(d) Making a complaint is free and even if you do not have a complaint we welcome any feedback to
improve our services at the end of your matter with us. - STORAGE OF PAPERS AND DOCUMENTS
After completing the work, We are entitled to keep all your papers and documents while there is
money owing to us for our charges and expenses. All documents shall be kept in electronic format
and we usually do not handle originals unless specifically asked. - LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
(a) We believe that the limitations on our liability as set out in this agreement are reasonable having
regard to the availability and cost of professional indemnity insurance and possible changes in its
availability and costs. We are, however, happy to discuss this limit with you if you consider it
insufficient for your purposes and will investigate options for providing further cover which may be
at extra cost.
(b) We will not be liable to the extent caused by the provision of false, misleading or incomplete
information or documentation or due to the acts or omissions of any person other than us, except
where, on the basis of the enquiries normally undertaken by consultants within the scope of this
agreement, it would have been reasonable for the solicitor to discover such defects.
(c) The total aggregate liability of Solve, its principals and employees to you (and where We are
instructed jointly by more than one party, all of you collectively and in total and also including anyone
claiming through you) for any claims, demands and costs (including claimants costs) in respect of any
act, omission or negligence arising from or in connection with this agreement (including any addition
or variation to the same) shall not exceed the cost of the services provided.
(d) If We are liable to you either jointly or jointly and severally with any other party:
(e) You agree that you will not bring any claims or proceedings against our individual principals or
employees. This clause shall not operate so as to exclude any liability which a principal, or employee
is not permitted by law or rules of professional conduct to limit or exclude. This clause is intended to
benefit such principals or employees who may enforce this clause pursuant to the Contracts (Rights
Solvelaw Limited T/A Solve, The Business Lawyers – Term of Business.
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of Third Parties) Act 1999 (“the Act”). Notwithstanding any benefits or rights conferred by this
agreement on any third party by virtue of the Act, the parties to this agreement may agree to vary or
rescind this agreement without any third party’s consent. Other than as expressly provided in this
agreement, the provisions of the Act are excluded.
(f) No liability will in any event apply in respect of any incidental, indirect, special or consequential
damages, including but not limited to loss of revenue.
(g) Note however that these exclusions shall not apply to any claim in respect of the death of or injury
to any person. Subject to that, please note that by entering into an agreement upon these terms
and conditions, you are agreeing to limit your potential ability to claim in accordance with the
above.
(h) Time is not of the essence on this agreement and any estimates relating to the time span of any
matter are subject to variation without notice. - COPYRIGHT
(a) All copyright subsisting in the documents and other materials that We create whilst carrying out work
for you will remain the property of Solve. You will have the right to use such documents and materials
for the purposes for which they are created.
(b) You agree not to make our work, documents or materials available to third parties without our prior
written permission and We accept no responsibility to third parties for any aspect of our professional
services or work that is made available to them. - GENERAL
(a) These Terms of Business shall not affect any provision of the general law or professional standards
applicable to the relationships similar or identical to ours subject to this agreement.
(b) We will not be liable to you or any third party if We are unable to perform our services as a result of
any cause beyond our reasonable control. If any such event should arise, We will notify you as soon
as reasonably practicable.
(c) The director is a member of The Law Society. We are not separately regulated or authorised by the
Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) or the Prudential Regulation Authority.
(d) Your file or work may be outsourced or transferred to a firm regulated by the Solicitors Regulation
Authority upon our recommendation; Our director is attached to several solicitor firms and we will
advise if and when this action may be required. Generally it is recommended for all instructions.
Solvelaw Limited T/A Solve, The Business Lawyers – Term of Business.
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13.Cancellation of Contracts Regulations 2013.
These regulations all previous and apply between us and you if you are a consumer, meaning
that you require service beyond your business, profession or craft.
You have the right to cancel this contract within 14 days without giving any reason.
The cancellation period will expire after 14 days from the day of the conclusion of the contract.
To exercise the right to cancel, you must inform us at; Solvelaw Limited 16 High Holborn, London
WC1V 6BX or email: info@solvelaw.co.uk of your decision to cancel this contract by a clear
statement (e.g. a letter sent by post, or e-mail). You may use the attached model cancellation
form, but it is not obligatory.
To meet the cancellation deadline, it is sufficient for you to send your communication concerning
your exercise of the right to cancel before the cancellation period has expired.
Effects of cancellation
If you cancel this contract, we will reimburse to you all payments received from you, including
the costs of delivery (except for the supplementary costs arising if you chose a type of delivery
other than the least expensive type of standard delivery offered by us).
We may make a deduction from the reimbursement for loss in value of any goods supplied, if the
loss is the result of unnecessary handling by you.
We will make the reimbursement without undue delay, and not later than –
(a) 14 days after the day we receive back from you any goods supplied, or
(b) (if earlier) 14 days after the day you provide evidence that you have returned the goods, or
(c) if there were no goods supplied, 14 days after the day on which we are informed about your
decision to cancel this contract.
We will make the reimbursement using the same means of payment as you used for the initial
transaction, unless you have expressly agreed otherwise; in any event, you will not incur any fees
as a result of the reimbursement.
Solvelaw Limited T/A Solve, The Business Lawyers – Term of Business.
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If you requested to begin the performance of services during the cancellation period, you shall
pay us an amount which is in proportion to what has been performed until you have
communicated us your cancellation from this contract, in comparison with the full coverage of
the contract
(Complete, detach and return this form ONLY IF YOU WISH TO CANCEL THE CONTRACT if clause
22 applies to you.)
To Solvelaw Limited:
I/We herby give notice that I/We cancel my/our contract of sale of the supply of the following
service as specified:
Ordered on:
Name of Client(s),
Address of Clients(s),
Signature of Client(s),
Date