Terms of Engagement

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 be best 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 client 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

Limitation on extent of our obligations or liability: Any limitation on the extent of our obligations to you or any limitation or exclusion of liability are set out in our letter of engagement.

Persons responsible for the work

Rachael Rotherham will have overall responsibility for the work completed.

Fees

The basis on which fees will be charges and when payment is to be made is set out in our Standard Terms of Engagement. Each client will be sent a Letter of Engagement at the commencement of receiving instructions.

Professional Indemnity Insurance

We hold professional indemnity insurance that meets the minimum standard specified by the New Zealand Law Society.

Lawyers Fidelity Fund

The New Zealand Law Society maintains the 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 $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 a client.

Complaints

If you have a complaint about our services or charges, please refer your complaint to Rachael Rotherham by letter to Rotherham Law Limited, PO Box 16086, Bethlehem, Tauranga 3110, by email to rachael@rotherhamlaw.co.nz or by telephoning 027 548 5548.

The New Zealand Law Society operates the Lawyers Complaints Service, and you are able to make a complaint to that service. To do so phone 0800 261 801 and you will be connected to the nearest Complaints Service Office, which can provide information and advice about making a complaint.

To make a formal complaint:
www.lawsociety.org.nz/for-the-community/lawyers-complaints-service/how-to-make-a-complaint