Client Care Information
The Rules of Conduct and Client Care for Lawyers, sets out some basic information that you must receive from a lawyer at the outset of any legal service (for example when you receive legal advice). This “information” is as follows:
Client Care:
Whatever legal services your lawyer is providing, he or she 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.
- Provide you with 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 of Conduct and Client Care for Lawyers. 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.
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 the Legal Services Manager by phone.
If your complaint or concern remains unresolved you may contact the Law Society on 0800 261 801. You will be connected to the nearest Complaints Service Office, which can provide information and advice about making a complaint.
Fees / Charges:
There is no cost to our service for individuals who meet our eligibility criteria. We may seek payment from third parties for your legal issue including but not limited to employers and ACC.
Professional Indemnity Insurance:
We hold professional indemnity insurance that meets or exceeds the minimum standards specified by the Law Society.
Lawyers Fidelity Fund:
The Law Society maintains the Lawyers Fidelity Fund for the purpose of providing clients of lawyers with protection against pecuniary loss arising from theft by lawyers. The maximum payable by the Fund by way of compensation to an individual claimant is limited to $100,000.00. Except in certain circumstances specified in the Lawyers and 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 a client.
Privacy:
Your personal information is collected, used, stored, and accessible in accordance with the Privacy Act 1993 and Rules for Conduct and Client Care for Lawyers 2008.
For a full Privacy statement you can check out Our Terms of Engagement, or for general information you may visit the Privacy Commissioner website at www.privacy.org.nz
