Standard Terms of Engagement

As a matter of good practice and in accordance with the rules and guidelines published by the law society, we wish to record the standard terms of engagement on which work is undertaken by us for you.

SCOPE OF INSTRUCTION On receiving instructions we will, where possible, write to you to record your instructions, and of any substantial variations, which may be made from time to time. The retainer will start on receipt by us of your Buyer or Seller Registration which acknowledges you have read and acknowledged receipt of our client care letter below. On receipt by us of the Buyer or Seller Registration, you authorize us to commence work immediately.

PERSONAL WITH CONDUCT OF THE MATTER There will be a partner responsible for all your matters referred to as the contract partner who may, but will not necessarily, have day to day conduct with them.

You should contact David Horsfall in the event of doubt.

You will be kept informed as to the member(s) of the firm having conduct of each matter from time to time. We may involve other personnel to assist on an ad hoc basis as necessary.

EVIDENCE OF IDENTITY If we are instructed to conduct investment business (within the meaning of the Financial Services Act (1986) then pursuant to the Money Laundering regulations 1993 (which came into effect on 1 April 1994) we shall in certain circumstances be legally obliged to require you to provide us with evidence of your identity and your principal's identity if you are acting as an agent.

The above Regulations are European requirements and will be followed by lawyers throughout the European Union.

STANDARDS AND COMPLIANTS We aim to provide a high standard of professional service and if at any time you feel that this is not being maintained, please discuss it with your contact partner and if any such problem cannot be resolved with the contact partner please raise it with the principal of the firm.

You should write in the first instance to Judith Apps MBA Dip CIM Marketing Director who will deal with your complaint in writing.

If you are not satisfied with the response then you should arrange to meet Mr David Horsfall to discuss your complaint or you can also write to David Horsfall for written decision. The decision of David Horsfall is final so far as the firm is concerned.

OUR CHARGES Where practicable, we will give you an estimate of the cost applicable to your matter. It is often difficult to do so accurately at an early stage because unknown factors and unforeseeable contingencies, and in such an event we will try to revise our estimate as a matter develops. estimates are for guidance only and unless specifically agreed in writing in not intended to constitute binding limits.

In addition our charges may where appropriate also reflect other discretionary factors, including the value of the transactions, its complexity, the responsibility involved and time constraints.

If an estimate costs is not given or we have not agreed a fee for the matter at the outset or the matter does not proceed to completion, we will inform you of the hourly charging rate, which applies, to the contact partner and any other person having contact of the matter. these rates are periodically revised, and you will be informed of the revised rates.

We may need to incur expenses (disbursements) on your behalf from time to time. Such disbursements will be recharged to you.

Insofar as internet conveyancing is concerned the quotes obtained from the site are fixed quotes, which are valid for 3 months if the transaction is not completed within that period then we will charge time cost basis, after the expiry of the said period of 3 months.

Partner £145 plus vat

Assistant £80 plus vat

The following fees are payable upfront and are not refundable.

£130 costs on account

£130 search fees

These sums will be credited on a successful transaction.

The quotes assume you have a good and marketable title and any defect in title will be charged in addition to the fixed costs and at our usual hourly rates.

The fixed costs apply to the date of contractual completion. Any fees incurred after that date (apart from HMLR registration and title deeds registration) will be charged as an additional item.

VALUE ADDED TAX VAT will also be payable on our charges and on taxable disbursements incurred on your behalf, except where charges and/or disbursements are VAT exempt or zero-rated.

PAYMENT OF BILLS We will submit or bill at the conclusion matter unless we have agreed an arrangement or the matter continues for a period longer than three months. In that event we are required by the Inland Revenue to submit our interim account on a quarterly basis. We may ask you to make a payment on account of costs and disbursements generally and to keep us covered for costs from time to time as the matter proceeds. We reserve the right to stop work on any matter for which we have not received the payment on account of costs requested.

Money held on your behalf may be applied to such bills.

Bills are payable on presentation and interest at the rate payable on a Judgement Debt may be charged on any part of a bill unpaid for more than twenty eight days after delivery.

PAYMENT OF INTEREST We will account to you for interest earned by us on cleared funds held by us on your behalf in a separate designated deposit account, where interest would be in excess of £100 net of tax. we will pay you an equivalent amount in relation to any cleared funds not kept in a separate designated deposit account and this will be paid gross where deduction of tax is required by statute.

RECEIPT OF COMMISSION We will account to you for any commission we receive where the amount exceeds £100 unless it has been agreed with you that we are to retain such commission.

PAYMENT OF A CLIENT'S COSTS BY OTHERS Even if some other person agrees to pay your costs, you remain primarily liable for all our costs and disbursements as they become due. Payment of our bills cannot ordinarily be postponed on the basis that they are likely to be, or should be, paid by some other person. However, at your request and expense, we will assist you in recovering the amount payable from the other person.

RETENTION OF PAPERS After completion of any other matters we may destroy the file of papers six years after the matter has been completed. If you require retrieval of your file after one year, a charge may be made.

CREDIT CARD PAYMENTS
We offer legal services only under the credit card payment service; and our policy on refunds is continued in our general terms and conditions above. Please contact us on info@layard.com or 01483 416134 with any queries. Layard Horsfall is domiciled in UK and all payments are in GBP. There may be additional charges if you are an overseas customer. Our services are provided on the internet, mail, telephone and personal consultation by appointment.

TERMINATION OF RETAINER Either side may terminate the Retainer on 48 hours notice in writing, subject to payment of fees incurred on a quantum meruit basis.

COMPLETION MONIES All completion monies must be in our account value the day before completion. No completion monies may be paid by credit card.

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