Information for Clients

 

Set out below is the information required by the Rules of Conduct and Client Care for Lawyers of the New Zealand Law Society (NZLS).

Fees

The basis on which fees will be charged is set out in our Letter of Engagement. Our standard Terms of Engagement set out when payment of fees is to be made.

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.

Professional Indemnity Insurance

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

Lawyers’ Fidelity Fund

The NZLS 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 amount payable by the Fidelity Fund by way of compensation to an individual claimant is limited to NZ$100,000. 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 the client.

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 Annette Win.

She may be contacted as follows:

  • By letter to Dawson & Associates Ltd, PO Box 3830, Richmond 7050, New Zealand;

  • By email at annette@maritimelaw.co.nz; or

  • By telephoning 03 544 1967 (+64 3 544 1967 if calling from outside New Zealand).

The NZLS operates the Lawyers Complaints Service and you are able to make a complaint to that service. To do so, phone 0800 261 801 (+64 4 472 7837 if calling from outside New Zealand) and you will be connected to the nearest Complaints Service Office, which can provide information and advice about making a complaint.

Persons Responsible for your Work

The names and status of the person or persons who will have the general carriage of or overall responsibility for the services we provide for you are set out in our Letter of Engagement.

Client Care and Service

The NZLS client care and service information is set out below.

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

  • 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 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.

Limitations

Any limitations on the extent of our obligations to you or any limitation or exclusion of liability are set out in our Letter of Engagement.