Conditions of intervention
- We undertake to use our best efforts to diligently carry out the assignments entrusted to us by our clients in accordance with the law and professional ethics. We regularly inform our clients of the progress of the assignments they entrust to us and propose appropriate measures to protect their interests.
- Unless otherwise stipulated, our liability shall in no case exceed an amount of € 2,500,000 per case for all the lawyers involved in the case. This amount corresponds to the amount of the professional liability insurance we have taken out.
- Clients will not hold us to account for requests that we are required to make to them, in accordance with the requirements of anti-money laundering legislation, to identify them on the basis of documentary evidence at the time we enter into a relationship of trust.
- Clients are informed of the names of the lawyers who are responsible for handling their case. We are free to entrust other partners and associates with particular assignments and to call on external lawyers under our sole responsibility.
- We undertake to inform our clients of the various legal solutions available to them and to implement, with the greatest possible diligence, the solution chosen with our clients. Unless expressly and immediately instructed otherwise, our clients are presumed to accept the strategic choices made, as deduced from the letters sent, the initiatives taken or the procedures implemented.
- Unless otherwise agreed, our fees are calculated according to the time spent on the assignment. The hourly rates in force are specified to the clients in writing at the beginning of the processing of their file. Any change in these rates or in the fee schedule will only be applicable after the client has been informed.
- In addition to the fees calculated on the basis of the hourly rate, we reserve the right to charge our clients a result fee calculated on the basis of the amounts at stake in principal and interest, depending in particular on the nature of the case and the result obtained.
- The costs incurred for the execution of the assignments entrusted to us are charged to the client either according to a percentage of the fees or according to the following scale, amounts indicated excluding VAT 21% :
- Opening, closing and archiving of the file during the legal period of 5 years: € 100.00
- Correspondence (mail, fax and post), per page: € 10.00
- Typed document, per page: € 10.00
- Photocopy, per piece: 0,25 €.
- Travelling expenses, per km: 0,40 €.
- Other costs: at cost
- Regardless of the method of invoicing costs chosen and specified to clients in writing at the beginning of the processing of their case, disbursements (legal fees, bailiff's fees, expert fees, translator's fees, etc.) are in any case charged to the client at cost.
- The statements of fees, costs and disbursements that we send out are payable in cash. In the event of default, interest and collection costs shall be charged on the basis of the Act of 2 August 2002 on combating late payment in commercial transactions.
- As a general rule, provisions or interim statements are regularly sent to our clients. Clients may request an interim statement from us at any time.
- The amount that could be requested from the opposing party as an intervention in the defence costs of our clients is calculated as a lump sum. The Order considers that professional secrecy prevents the statement of our services, our statement of costs and fees and a fortiori the file from being produced in support of such a request. It is expressly agreed that the fees are fixed in the manner provided for and independently of the amount which the opposing party would be ordered to pay as an intervention in the defence costs of our clients.
- Our mission ends in any case and at the latest when we send our final statement of costs and fees.
- We are free to choose the bailiffs who act on behalf of our clients. The choice of other third parties whose assistance is useful (notary, auditor, technical consultant, etc.) is only made after consultation.
- Unless otherwise instructed, we shall be responsible for the archiving of the files, which shall include the conservation of the main elements of the files for a period of five years and the possibility of examining or copying them during the same period. Unless expressly requested within this period, the file is completely destroyed at the end of this period.
- Our relationship is subject to Belgian law and any dispute relating to it is the exclusive competence of the Brussels courts, without prejudice to the competence of the professional bodies to which we belong in matters of ethics and fee disputes.
