Notice Regarding Amicis Terms and Conditions
By using our services, you acknowledge and agree that it is your responsibility to regularly review the Amicis Legal Service Terms & Conditions found below for any and all changes or revisions. We encourage you to contact us at any time if you require further information or clarification.
However, please be advised that it remains solely your responsibility to stay informed of any updates or modifications to the Terms and Conditions.
Amicis Legal Services
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Terms of Business
Introduction
- These terms of business (“Terms”) govern the provision of legal services by Amicis Legal Services Ltd (“the Firm” or “we”) a limited company registered in England and Wales under Company Number 14537381, to you, the client (“the Client” or “you”).
- These terms of business are provided to you to comply with our requirements and recommendations by the Solicitors Regulation Authority and the Law of Society of England and Wales.
- We are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority and our registration number is 8003652.
- By engaging our services, you agree to be bound by these Terms of Business and any other applicable laws and regulations.
- We require you to sign and return a copy of these Terms of Business as indicated at the bottom confirming you are agreeing to being bound by these Terms of Business.
- Should you not return a signed copy of the Terms of Business, your continuing instructions will in any event indicate your agreement to be bound by the Terms of Business
“Services” refers to the legal services provided by the Firm to the Client as outlined in our engagement letter or agreement.
Scope of Services
- The Firm shall provide Services as outlined in our engagement letter or agreement with you.We are committed to providing a professional service to you to meet your objectives.
- We aim to respond to any correspondence received from you within 4 working days and to return any telephone calls within 2 working days.
- Our usual office hours are between 9:00am and 5:00pm Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays). We may agree to be available outside these hours subject to agreement with you and any possible additional costs.Any changes to the scope of services must be agreed upon in writing by both parties.We will treat you with courtesy and respect and expect that you will treat our staff with the same courtesy and respect at all times.
- If you authorise us to accept any instructions from a Third Party (eg. employer, director, employee, sponsor, spouse or family member) we will act upon those instructions unless you confirm in writing that we should no longer accept the instructions. We will accept the instructions in good faith and you will remain liable for any costs as a result.
Fees and Payment
- The Firm’s fees for the Services provided shall be in accordance with the agreed-upon rates and payment terms outlined in our engagement letter or agreement.
- You agree to pay all fees and disbursements promptly in the manner specified in our engagement letter or agreement and no later than 7 days of receipt of the same.
- We will charge interest at a rate of 10% per year from 7 days from the date of the invoice on any unpaid bills or in the case of invoices that have been partly paid on the part remaining outstanding. Interest is charged on a daily basis.
- In cases where our fees are contingent upon the outcome of the matter, we will provide you with clear details of the fee structure and any potential risk.
- The fees and costs given in our letter of engagement are based on our experience of dealing with similar matters or are based on our best estimate of the likely amount of professional time incurred. In some circumstances we may need to revise our estimate, for example, if your instructions change, matters become complex, we enter into prolonged correspondence, or unforeseen or exceptional circumstances arise. We will discuss and agree in advance any proposed variation to our fees with you. If we cannot agree a revised figure or you then do not wish us to continue working for you, we will invoice you for the work and disbursements to that date.
- Unless we agree a fixed fee for specified work, our fees (plus VAT) are calculated by hourly rates. Time is charged in minimum six-minute units. We may also charge (as a profit cost as opposed to a disbursement) for copying, printing and media production, conference call facilities, money laundering checks and handling bank transfer fees. We will charge for all expenses e.g. court fees and counsel’s fees we incur. You will be charged for all time spent on the file (including telephone calls, emails and travelling).
- As we have applied to be registered for VAT, we add VAT to out charges at the prevailing rate as and when applicable.
- We can accept cash payments for our fees up to a maximum of £1,000.00 per matter per day.
- If any third party undertakes, guarantees or indemnifies us to pay fees and expenses on your behalf and the third party fails to make the payment in full for any reason, without prejudice to any claim we have against the third party, you will be responsible for paying any and all sums outstanding.
- We can accept payment of invoices by cash, cheque, bank transfer, credit card or debit card. We do not currently accept American Express.
- Where you are a limited company, other corporate body or corporation that is recognised as a separate legal entity, the individuals signing on behalf of that body are warranting that the body has sufficient funds to meet its liability to us.
- Where you are a limited company, other corporate body or corporation that is recognised as a separate legal entity, the members will be personally liable to meet our fees.
- You must inform us immediately if you are made bankrupt or insolvency proceedings are taken against you or your company.
Disbursements and Third Party Payments
4.1 The Firm does not operate a Client Account and therefore any payments for disbursements or Third Party fees will need to be made by you or your Company.
4.2 You will need to ensure that you hold cleared funds in your account when the payment will need to be made. We will not be held liable for your failure to make a payment when required and should your status expire as a result of your failure to pay, we will not be held liable for any costs or charges that you incur as a result.
4.3 We will not be liable for any loss of immigration rights by breach of your conditions of stay due to your failure to make a valid application by a deadline.
4.4 You will be liable to pay any Counsel’s fees for preparation and attendance at any hearings relating to your matter.
4.5 You will be liable to pay for any expert reports or witnesses if required.
Confidentiality and Data Protection
- The Firm shall maintain strict confidentiality regarding all information provided by the Client in connection with the Services, in accordance with our Privacy Policy and the Data Protection Act 2018.
- The Firm may disclose information where required by law or with the Client’s consent.
- A copy of our Privacy Policy is available upon request.
Cancellation
- If the Client wishes to cancel the engagement before work commences, you must do so in writing within 14 days of receiving our engagement letter or agreement.
- To exercise the right to cancel you must inform us of your decision to cancel this contract by a clear statement made in writing or by email.
- If the Client exercises the right to cancel within the cooling-off period, any fees paid will be refunded in full.
- We will make the reimbursement within 14 days after the receipt of the formal notice of cancellation and the payment will be made by cheque or bank transfer.
- If you have requested us to begin the Services during the cancellation period, you shall be liable to pay us the amount in proportion to what work has been undertaken until you have communicated to us your cancellation of this contract in accordance with the Client Care Letter.
Complaints
- The Firm has a formal complaints handling procedure in place, which is available upon request.
- If you have a complaint, please contact us using the details provided in our engagement letter or agreement.
- We will endeavour to resolve any complaints promptly and fairly.
- However, if you are not satisfied with our handling of the complaint, you may be able to contact the Legal Ombudsman. This scheme may not be open to all parties. They can be contacted by telephone on 0300 555 0333 or in writing at their address at PO Box 6167, Slough, SL1 0EH. Further information can be found on their website www.legalombudsman.org.uk
Limitation of Liability
- The Firm’s liability for any loss or damage arising out of or in connection with the Services shall be limited to the extent permitted by law.
- The Firm carries full Profession Indemnity Insurance in line with the SRA requirements.
- Our maximum liability to you for loss or damage from breach of contract, breach of trust, negligence or otherwise is £3,000,000.00 (Three Million Pounds sterling) for any one transaction, including interest and costs.
- By instructing the Firm, you agree not to bring any claims personally against any Director, Employee or consultant of the Firm.
- Our advice is for your benefit only. Save as expressly set out, our agreement with you is not intended to confirm rights on any third parties whether pursuant to Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 or otherwise.
- We accept no liability for the acts or omissions of third parties who we may instruct on your behalf or otherwise or to whom we may refer you.
- We shall not be responsible for any failure to provide services on any matter that falls outside the scope of our agreements and shall have no responsibility to notify you of or the consequences of any even or change in the law that occurs after the date on which the relevant service has been provided.
Termination
- Either party may terminate the engagement in writing if the other party breaches these Terms or our engagement letter or agreement.
- Termination will not affect any accrued rights or liabilities of either party.
- We will raise an invoice for any work carried out to that date unless we have agreed otherwise with you.
- We will keep any papers and documents of yours that we hold while money is owed to us.
- We may decide to stop acting for you only with good reason and with giving you a reasonable amount of notice.
Storage of papers and Documents
- Once a matter is completed, it is our policy to retain the file in hardcopy, electronically or a mixture of both. We will normally store any hard copies in an off-site storage facility. Retained files will be kept for a minimum of 6 years from the date of the closure of the file and upon the expiry of the 6 years, we have your authority to destroy the file. We will not destroy any documents which you have requested us to keep in safe storage.
- If you instruct us to retrieve your file from storage, then you may be charged for this. The fee will depend on the urgency of the request and will be no less than £50.00 plus VAT.
- Please note that there is no charge for the retrieval of a file in connection with a subject access request under GDPR/data Protection Act 2018.
Governing Law and Jurisdiction
- These Terms and any dispute or claim arising out of or in connection with them shall be governed by and construed in accordance with English law.
- The parties agree to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts.
Amendments
- The Firm may amend these Terms from time to time. Any changes will be communicated to the Client in writing.
- Your continued use of our Services after receiving notice of any amendments constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.
Equality and Diversity
- We are committed to promoting equality and diversity in all of our dealings with clients, third parties and employees. Please contact us if you would like a copy of our equality and diversity policy.
By using our services you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms of Business.
Privacy Policy
Introduction
Amicis legal Services Ltd (hereinafter referred to as “we,” “us,” or “our”) is committed to protecting and respecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and disclose personal information when you visit our website, engage with our services, or interact with us in any manner. This policy applies to all visitors, clients, and individuals who provide their personal information to us.
By using our website or engaging our services, you consent to the practices described in this Privacy Policy.
Information We Collect
We may collect the following types of personal information from you:
a. Contact Information: Your name, email address, postal address, and telephone number. b. Identification Data: Government-issued identification, passport details, and other relevant identification information. c. Professional Information: Information related to your profession, job title, and employer. d. Financial Information: Billing details, payment card information, and bank account details. e. Website Usage Data: Information about how you use and interact with our website, including IP address, browser type, pages visited, and referring website. f. Communications: Any information you provide when you contact us, request information, or communicate with our team. g. Other Information: Any additional information you voluntarily provide to us.
How We Use Your Information
We will use your personal information for the following purposes:
a. Providing Legal Services: To provide legal advice, representation, and other related services. b. Communication: To respond to your inquiries, provide updates, and maintain regular communication with you. c. Marketing: To send you updates, newsletters, and promotional materials (only if you have provided explicit consent). d. Client Management: To manage and maintain records of our clients and the services we provide to them. e. Legal Obligations: To comply with applicable laws, regulations, and professional obligations. f. Website Improvement: To analyze and improve our website’s performance and user experience. g. Security: To protect our website, clients, and data from unauthorized access or misuse.
Data Retention
We will retain your personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law.
Sharing Your Information
We may share your personal information in the following circumstances:
a. With our Legal Team: We may share your information with our solicitors and legal professionals who require it to provide legal services to you. b. Service Providers: We may engage third-party service providers to assist us in delivering our services and supporting our website. c. Legal Requirements: We may disclose your personal information when required by law, court order, or governmental authority. d. Business Transfers: In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of all or a portion of our assets, your personal information may be transferred to the acquiring entity. e. With Your Consent: We may share your information with third parties when you provide us with explicit consent to do so.
Data Security
We take appropriate security measures to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. However, no data transmission over the internet or electronic storage system is entirely secure, and we cannot guarantee the absolute security of your information.
Your Rights
You have certain rights regarding your personal information:
a. Access: You can request access to the personal information we hold about you. b. Rectification: You can request to correct any inaccurate or incomplete information we have about you. c. Erasure: You can request the deletion of your personal information, subject to legal requirements. d. Restriction: You can request us to restrict the processing of your personal information under certain circumstances. e. Objection: You can object to the processing of your personal information for marketing purposes. f. Data Portability: You can request to receive your personal information in a structured, commonly used, and machine-readable format.
To exercise any of these rights or for any privacy-related inquiries, please contact us at the details provided below.
Third-Party Links
Our website may contain links to third-party websites, plugins, or applications. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of these third-party sites. We recommend reviewing their respective privacy policies before providing any personal information.
Contact Us
If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or the handling of your personal information, please contact us at:
Mr Navdeep Singh Bhadal, Amicis Legal Services Ltd, Office F11 Deansgate, 62-70 Tettenhall Road, Wolverhampton, WV1 4TH. Email: nsbhadal@amicislegal.com Telephone: 03301248201
Updates to this Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or for legal, regulatory, or operational reasons. We will post the updated policy on our website, and the revised version will be effective from the date mentioned at the beginning of the document.
Please check this page periodically to stay informed about our privacy practices. Your continued use of our services after the changes signify your acceptance of the revised Privacy Policy.
Complaints Procedure
We want to give you the best possible service. However, if at any point you become unhappy or concerned about the service, we have provided then you should inform us immediately, so that we can do our best to resolve the problem.
In the first instance it may be helpful to contact the person who is working on your case to discuss your concerns and we will do our best to resolve any issues. If you would like to make a formal complaint, then please follow the below. Making a complaint will not affect how we handle your case.
Procedure
If you are unhappy with the service that has been provided, you should raise your issues with our Complaints Manager, Mr Navdeep Singh Bhadal.
His address is Amicis Legal Services, Deansgate, 62-70 Tettenhall Road, Wolverhampton, WV1 4TH. He can be contacted on telephone number 03301248201 and by email at nsbhadal@amicislegal.com
We will acknowledge receipt of your complaint within 2 working days of receipt of the same and will advise of a timescale as to when you can expect a full response. We aim to resolve any complaint within 1 month of receipt of the same.
What to do if we cannot resolve your complaint
The Legal Ombudsman can help you if we are unable to resolve your complaint ourselves. They will look at your complaint independently and it will not affect how we handle your case.
Before accepting a complaint for investigation, the Legal Ombudsman will check that you have tried to resolve your complaint with us first. If you have, then you must take your complaint to the Legal Ombudsman:
- Within six months of receiving our final response to your complaint
and
- No more than one year from the date of the act or omission being complained about; or
- No more than one year from the date when you should reasonably have known that there was cause for complaint.
For more information about the Legal Ombudsman contact:
Call: 0300 555 0333 between 9.00 to 17.00.
Email: enquiries@legalombudsman.org.uk
Legal Ombudsman PO Box 6167 Slough SL1 0EH.
What to do if you are unhappy with our behaviour
The Solicitors Regulation Authority can help if you are concerned about our behaviour. This could be for things like dishonesty, taking or losing your money or treating you unfairly because of your age, a disability or other characteristic.
Visit their website to see how you can raise your concerns with the Solicitors Regulation Authority.