1. GENERAL TERMS AND ACCEPTANCE
1.1 These Terms of Engagement set out the basis on which ACS Lawyers (we, us or the Firm) agree to provide legal services to you (you or the Client).
1.2 These Terms apply to all current and future engagements between you and us, unless otherwise agreed in writing. They should be read together with our Engagement Letter or Engagement Schedule, which sets out the particular legal services we have agreed to provide.
1.3 By instructing us to act on your behalf, you acknowledge that you have received, read and accepted these Terms of Engagement. Unless we agree otherwise in writing, you are not required to sign these Terms or the Engagement Schedule for them to apply.
1.4 These Terms will continue to apply to any future instructions you give us, whether or not we provide you with another copy.
1.5 We may amend these Terms from time to time. Where changes are made, we will provide you with amended Terms or make the updated Terms available through our website.
1.6 Our relationship with you is governed by the laws of New Zealand, and the New Zealand courts have jurisdiction in relation to our engagement.
1.7 In these Terms:
a) "we", "us", "our" or "the Firm" means ACS Lawyers;
b) "you" or "the Client" means the person or entity identified as our client in the Engagement Letter or Engagement Schedule;
c) "Services" means the legal services we agree to provide;
d) "Rules" means the Lawyers and Conveyancers Act (Lawyers: Conduct and Client Care) Rules 2008, including any amendments.
2. OUR CLIENT AND MULTIPLE CLIENTS
2.1 The legal services we provide are for the benefit of the client identified in our Engagement Letter or Engagement Schedule only.
2.2 Where we are instructed by a company, trust, partnership or other entity, our client will ordinarily be that entity and not its directors, shareholders, trustees, beneficiaries, officers, employees or associated persons personally, unless we expressly agree otherwise in writing.
2.3 Where we agree to act for multiple trustees, directors, shareholders or other individuals, each person will be treated as a client for the purposes of the engagement, subject to the terms agreed in writing.
2.4 Where we act for multiple clients in the same matter:
a) We may take instructions from the person nominated in the Engagement Letter or otherwise authorised by the clients.
b) We may communicate with and provide relevant advice and documentation to each of the clients.
c) Each client acknowledges that information provided by one client in connection with the joint engagement may be shared with the other clients.
d) Each client acknowledges that we may not be able to maintain confidentiality from the other jointly represented clients in relation to information relevant to the matter.
e) We may render invoices to the nominated contact person or entity, without affecting the payment obligations of the other clients where they have agreed to be responsible for those fees.
2.5 Where we act for multiple clients, each client must promptly inform us if their interests, instructions or objectives become inconsistent with those of the other clients.
2.6 If a conflict of interest arises between jointly represented clients, we will comply with our professional obligations under the Rules. This may mean that we cannot continue acting for one or more clients or may need to terminate the engagement.
2.7 We may be unable to continue acting for all clients if their interests or instructions become materially misaligned, unless the conflict can properly be managed in accordance with our professional obligations.
3. SCOPE OF OUR SERVICES
3.1 The legal services we agree to provide will be described in our Engagement Letter or Engagement Schedule, together with any additional instructions you provide to us in writing or which we record in writing.
3.2 We will provide the legal services you request and which we agree to undertake, subject to our professional obligations and any circumstances that may prevent us from acting.
3.3 We will:
a) Act competently, diligently and in a timely manner.
b) Follow your lawful instructions and act in accordance with the arrangements agreed with you.
c) Protect and promote your interests, free from compromising influences or loyalties.
d) Discuss your objectives and how they may best be achieved.
e) Explain the work to be undertaken, who will undertake it and how our services will be provided.
f) Provide clear information and legal advice.
g) Charge fees that are fair and reasonable and explain the basis upon which you will be charged.
h) Protect your privacy and maintain appropriate confidentiality.
i) Keep you reasonably informed about the progress of your matter.
j) Advise you of any material or unexpected delays, significant changes or complications.
k) Inform you when the agreed work has been completed.
l) Treat you fairly, respectfully and without discrimination.
3.4 We may delegate part or all of the work to other appropriately qualified professionals or staff within our Firm where appropriate to provide efficient, timely and cost-effective services.
3.5 If you wish to change or expand your instructions, you must advise us in writing. We may require an amended Engagement Letter or Engagement Schedule.
3.6 We may rely upon information obtained from third parties, including experts, witnesses, government agencies, public registers and other professional advisers. Although we will take reasonable care when relying upon such information, we cannot guarantee that it is complete or accurate.
3.7 We are not responsible for errors or omissions in information supplied by third parties, except to the extent that liability cannot lawfully be excluded.
4. SCOPE OF ADVICE AND DUTY OF CARE
4.1 Our duty of care is owed to you as our client and not to any other person, including directors, shareholders, associated companies, employees, beneficiaries or family members, unless we expressly agree otherwise in writing.
4.2 Our advice is based on the facts and information available to us at the time and represents our professional opinion and judgment.
4.3 Our advice may be affected by subsequent changes in legislation, regulations, policies, case law or other relevant circumstances. We are not obliged to update previous advice unless you specifically engage us to do so.
4.4 Our advice relates only to the particular matter for which you have engaged us. Once that matter has concluded, we will not owe any further duty or liability in relation to other matters unless separately engaged.
4.5 Our services are limited to legal advice and legal services. Unless expressly agreed in writing, we do not provide professional advice on:
a) Building or construction matters;
b) Financial or investment matters;
c) Taxation or accounting matters;
d) Property valuations;
e) Town planning matters;
f) Engineering matters; or
g) Other specialist matters outside the reasonable scope of legal practice.
4.6 We do not advise on the commercial wisdom or financial suitability of a transaction unless expressly agreed in writing.
4.7 Our advice must not be reproduced, circulated or referred to in any prospectus, financial statement or public document without our prior written consent.
5. FEES AND CHARGES
5.1 The basis upon which we charge our fees will be set out in our Engagement Letter or Engagement Schedule.
5.2 In determining our fees, we take into account the factors set out in Rule 9 of the Rules, including:
a) The time and labour involved;
b) The skill, specialised knowledge and responsibility required;
c) The importance of the matter to you;
d) The results achieved;
e) The urgency and circumstances in which the work is undertaken;
f) The degree of risk assumed by us;
g) The value of any property or transaction involved;
h) The complexity of the matter and the difficulty or novelty of any questions involved;
i) The experience, reputation and ability of the lawyer undertaking the work;
j) The possibility that accepting your instructions will prevent us from acting for other clients;
k) Whether the fee is fixed or conditional;
l) Any fee agreement, quotation or estimate provided to you; and
m) The reasonable costs of operating a legal practice and the fees charged in the relevant market.
5.3 Where we agree to undertake work for a fixed fee, that fee applies only to the agreed scope of services. Any additional work outside the agreed scope will be charged separately on the basis set out in the Engagement Schedule or at our applicable hourly rates.
5.4 We will advise you as soon as reasonably practicable if additional work is required outside the agreed scope and, where requested, provide an estimate of the likely additional costs.
5.5 In certain urgent circumstances, particularly where immediate action is reasonably necessary to protect your legal position or where we are unable to contact you, we may undertake additional work reasonably necessary to protect your interests. We will notify you as soon as practicable.
5.6 Where fees are charged on an hourly basis, the applicable hourly rates will be specified in the Engagement Schedule. Time is recorded in six-minute units.
5.7 Our hourly rates may vary depending on the experience, qualifications, responsibility and specialisation of the person undertaking the work.
5.8 Time charged may include research, preparation, drafting, reviewing documents, correspondence, telephone calls, meetings, file management, coordination and other work reasonably required to undertake your matter.
5.9 Our fees may be adjusted upwards or downwards where appropriate to ensure that the amount charged is fair and reasonable.
5.10 You may request an estimate of our fees at any time. Any estimate is a guide only and is not a fixed quotation unless expressly stated in writing.
5.11 We will inform you if it becomes apparent that an estimate is likely to be substantially exceeded.
5.12 Unless otherwise specified, all fee estimates and quotations are exclusive of GST, disbursements and other expenses.
6. DISBURSEMENTS AND OFFICE ADMINISTRATION CHARGES
6.1 In addition to our professional fees, you agree to pay all reasonable disbursements and third-party expenses incurred in providing the Services.
6.2 Disbursements may include:
a) Land Information New Zealand search and registration fees;
b) Companies Office fees;
c) Court filing fees;
d) Immigration New Zealand application fees;
e) Council and other government charges;
f) Courier and postage charges;
g) Travel expenses;
h) Barristers' and other professional advisers' fees;
i) Expert reports and other specialist services; and
j) Other expenses reasonably incurred on your behalf.
6.3 You authorise us to incur reasonable disbursements and third-party expenses necessary to carry out your instructions.
6.4 We may charge an office administration or service charge of 5% of our professional invoice to cover general office expenses not otherwise charged as disbursements.
6.5 Such expenses may include photocopying, printing, telephone charges, postage, office administration and other general office expenses.
6.6 Where required, additional administrative charges may apply for AML/CFT compliance, electronic identity verification and other statutory compliance obligations. Any applicable charges will be disclosed in your Engagement Schedule or otherwise notified to you.
7. GOODS AND SERVICES TAX
7.1 GST will be charged on our professional fees and other applicable charges at the prevailing rate where required by law.
7.2 Unless expressly stated otherwise, all fees, estimates and quotations provided by us are exclusive of GST.
8. INVOICING AND PAYMENT
8.1 We may issue interim invoices periodically, depending on the nature and duration of the matter.
8.2 For matters with a relatively short duration, including most residential conveyancing transactions, we will ordinarily issue our invoice upon completion of the matter.
8.3 For ongoing matters, we may issue invoices monthly, quarterly, six-monthly or at other reasonable intervals.
8.4 We may issue an invoice earlier where significant work has been undertaken or significant disbursements have been incurred.
8.5 Unless otherwise agreed in writing, our invoices are payable within 14 days of the invoice date.
8.6 You authorise us to deduct our professional fees, disbursements and other properly invoiced expenses from funds held in our trust account on your behalf, provided that the funds are not held for a specific purpose that prevents such deduction.
8.7 For matters such as immigration applications, where the agreed scope of work is completed upon submission of the application, you authorise us to issue our invoice and deduct the applicable fees from funds held in our trust account upon submission.
8.8 If you anticipate difficulty paying an invoice, you must contact us promptly so that payment arrangements can be discussed.
8.9 If an invoice remains unpaid after the due date, we may:
a) Suspend work on your matter, subject to our professional obligations;
b) Require payment of outstanding fees or additional funds in advance before recommencing work;
c) Take reasonable steps to recover outstanding amounts; and
d) Recover reasonable costs incurred in seeking payment, including collection agency costs and legal costs to the extent recoverable by law.
8.10 We may request payment in advance or security for our professional fees, disbursements and other expenses at any reasonable time.
8.11 If you expect a third party to pay our fees, you remain responsible for payment unless we expressly agree otherwise in writing.
9. TRUST ACCOUNT
9.1 We operate a solicitor's trust account in accordance with applicable New Zealand legislation and professional requirements.
9.2 All money received from you or on your behalf will be held in our trust account and accounted for in accordance with the applicable trust accounting rules.
9.3 We may request cleared funds before undertaking any transaction, particularly where funds are required for settlement or payment to third parties.
9.4 We will not be responsible for delays caused by funds not clearing in sufficient time to complete a transaction or settlement.
9.5 We may request funds in advance to cover anticipated expenses, disbursements or professional fees.
9.6 Money held in trust may be applied towards:
a) Properly incurred disbursements and third-party expenses;
b) Professional fees invoiced to you; and
c) Other payments authorised by you or required to complete your transaction.
9.7 You authorise us to deduct our properly invoiced fees and expenses from money held in trust on your behalf, subject to any specific restrictions applying to those funds.
9.8 Payments from our trust account to third parties will require your authority. Where we act for multiple clients, we may require written authorisation from all relevant clients.
9.9 Before making payments to another bank account, we may require verification of the account details, including a bank statement, deposit slip, signed authority or confirmation from the relevant financial institution.
9.10 We maintain a full record of trust account transactions. A statement showing funds received and payments made on your behalf will be provided periodically or upon request.
9.11 Where significant funds are held in trust for more than a short period, we may place those funds on an interest-bearing call deposit with an appropriate registered bank, where reasonable and practicable.
9.12 Any interest earned will be credited to you after deduction of applicable withholding tax and any agreed administration fee disclosed in the Engagement Schedule.
9.13 We may charge a reasonable administration fee for maintaining trust account records and administering interest-bearing deposits, where disclosed to you.
10. ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS AND PAYMENT SECURITY
10.1 We may communicate with you by email, telephone, SMS or other electronic communication platforms agreed between us.
10.2 You agree that we may provide documents, invoices and other communications electronically.
10.3 You must ensure that your contact details, including your email address, postal address and telephone number, remain accurate and up to date.
10.4 You acknowledge that electronic communications may be intercepted, delayed, lost, corrupted or affected by technical problems or security breaches beyond our reasonable control.
10.5 We take reasonable precautions to protect electronic communications but cannot guarantee that electronic communications are completely secure.
10.6 To protect against payment fraud, you must telephone ACS Lawyers using our independently verified office telephone number before transferring any money to our trust account, particularly where you have received bank account details by email.
10.7 You must independently verify any purported change to our trust account details by speaking directly with our office.
10.8 We will not accept responsibility for losses resulting from fraudulent payments made to an incorrect bank account where you have failed to follow the verification procedure above, to the extent permitted by law.
11. ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING AND COUNTERING FINANCING OF TERRORISM (AML/CFT)
11.1 New Zealand has enacted the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Act 2009 (AML/CFT Act).
11.2 The purpose of the AML/CFT Act is to assist in preventing money laundering and the financing of terrorism and to protect the integrity of New Zealand's financial and legal systems.
11.3 Lawyers are required to comply with the AML/CFT Act when undertaking activities that constitute captured activities under the legislation.
11.4 Where our engagement involves captured activities, we are required to undertake customer due diligence and comply with applicable AML/CFT obligations before commencing or continuing the relevant work.
11.5 You agree to provide all information and documentation reasonably requested by us to enable us to comply with our AML/CFT obligations.
11.6 Depending on the nature of the transaction or matter, we may be required to verify the identity and address of:
a) You as our client;
b) Any person acting on your behalf;
c) Directors, shareholders and authorised representatives;
d) Trustees and beneficiaries of a trust;
e) Beneficial owners and persons exercising effective control;
f) Other relevant persons connected with the transaction.
11.7 Identity verification may require documents such as:
a) A valid passport;
b) A New Zealand driver licence;
c) Proof of residential address;
d) Company incorporation and ownership documents;
e) Trust deeds and related trust documents;
f) Evidence of authority to act on behalf of an entity; and
g) Other documents or information reasonably required under the AML/CFT Act.
11.8 We may undertake electronic identity verification through an external verification provider, including Dimension GRC or another provider selected by the Firm.
11.9 You authorise us to obtain, verify and retain information and documentation necessary to meet our statutory obligations.
11.10 We may also be required to undertake enhanced customer due diligence, source of funds checks, source of wealth checks, ongoing monitoring and other compliance checks, depending on the nature and risk of the matter.
11.11 You agree to provide accurate, complete and current information and to promptly notify us of any material changes to information previously provided.
11.12 If you fail to provide the information or documentation requested within the required timeframe, we may be unable to commence or continue acting for you.
11.13 We may refuse to accept or may terminate an engagement where required information is not provided or where we identify circumstances that prevent us from complying with our legal obligations.
11.14 We may be legally prohibited from informing you or other persons that certain information has been provided to a government agency or regulatory authority.
11.15 We may be required to report suspicious activities or transactions to the relevant authorities without notifying you, where required by law.
11.16 You acknowledge that AML/CFT compliance is a legal obligation of the Firm and that we may need to undertake additional work and verification throughout the course of our engagement.
11.17 The cost of external electronic verification, including any charges imposed by verification providers, may be charged to you as a disbursement.
11.18 An internal AML/CFT administration fee may also apply to new clients and to matters where the required verification has not previously been completed. This fee reflects the time and resources required to submit, review and verify documentation, maintain compliance records and undertake ongoing monitoring.
11.19 Any applicable AML/CFT administration fee will be disclosed to you in the Engagement Schedule or otherwise notified before the relevant charge is incurred.
12. CONFIDENTIALITY
12.1 We will maintain the confidentiality of all information concerning you and your affairs that we acquire during the course of acting for you.
12.2 We will not disclose confidential information except:
a) Where necessary or desirable to carry out your instructions;
b) Where you have expressly or impliedly authorised disclosure;
c) Where disclosure is necessary to comply with our professional obligations;
d) Where disclosure is required or permitted by law;
e) Where disclosure is necessary to protect our interests in relation to a complaint, dispute or legal proceeding; or
f) Where disclosure is required for AML/CFT compliance or other statutory reporting obligations.
12.3 Confidential information concerning you will, as far as practicable, be made available only to those within our Firm who are providing legal services or undertaking necessary administrative functions in connection with your matter.
13. PRIVACY AND PERSONAL INFORMATION
13.1 We may collect, hold, use and disclose personal information about you in the course of providing our Services.
13.2 Personal information may include your name, contact details, identification documents, financial information, transaction details, company or trust information and other information relevant to your matter.
13.3 We collect and use personal information for purposes including:
a) Providing legal services and carrying out your instructions;
b) Communicating with you;
c) Verifying your identity and complying with AML/CFT requirements;
d) Maintaining client and trust account records;
e) Undertaking credit checks and payment recovery where reasonably necessary;
f) Complying with legal and professional obligations; and
g) Managing our business and client relationships.
13.4 You authorise us to disclose relevant personal information to third parties where reasonably necessary to provide our Services or comply with our legal obligations.
13.5 Such third parties may include government departments, regulatory authorities, banks, financial institutions, electronic verification providers, courts, experts, professional advisers and other service providers.
13.6 We may disclose your name and address to appropriate credit reporting agencies or credit management providers where reasonably necessary for credit enquiries or debt recovery.
13.7 We will take reasonable steps to safeguard personal information against loss, unauthorised access, use, modification or disclosure.
13.8 Personal information may be held at our offices or through secure electronic document management and storage systems.
13.9 You have the right to request access to, and correction of, your personal information in accordance with the Privacy Act 2020.
13.10 Requests relating to personal information may be directed to our Principal, Ranbir Singh Sandhu, at ranbir@acslaw.co.nz.
14. CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
14.1 We are required to protect and promote your interests in accordance with our professional obligations under the Rules.
14.2 We have procedures in place to identify and respond to actual, potential and perceived conflicts of interest.
14.3 If a conflict of interest arises, we will advise you and take the steps required under the Rules.
14.4 Depending on the circumstances, we may be required to obtain informed consent, implement appropriate safeguards or cease acting for you.
14.5 We may terminate our engagement where a conflict of interest prevents us from continuing to act.
15. LITIGATION AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION
15.1 If we are engaged to act in litigation or dispute resolution matters, you acknowledge the following:
Litigation risks
a) We do not guarantee success in any litigation or dispute resolution matter.
b) Where you are making a monetary claim, we cannot guarantee that you will recover the money claimed, even if you are successful in court proceedings.
c) Formal proceedings carry costs risks. If you are unsuccessful, the Court may order you to pay some or all of the other party's legal costs.
d) If you are successful, the Court may order the other party to contribute towards your legal costs. Such an award may not cover all your actual legal expenses.
Obligations to the Court
15.2 Our professional obligations to you operate alongside our obligations to the Court as officers of the Court.
15.3 We may be required to explain your discovery obligations and take reasonable steps to ensure that you understand and comply with them.
15.4 We must not mislead the Court or knowingly assist you in doing so.
15.5 If you instruct us to undertake work that would breach our fundamental professional obligations, we may refuse to follow those instructions and may terminate our engagement.
Barristers and other professional advisers
15.6 We may consider it necessary or appropriate to engage a barrister, expert or other professional adviser to assist with your matter.
15.7 Where we engage a barrister or other professional adviser on your behalf, you will be responsible for their reasonable fees and expenses in addition to our own fees.
15.8 We may request an advance payment or retainer into our trust account to cover anticipated barrister or professional adviser costs.
16. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
16.1 To the extent permitted by law, our aggregate liability to you, whether in contract, tort, equity or otherwise, arising from or in connection with the Services will be limited to the amount available to be paid under the professional indemnity insurance maintained by the Firm.
16.2 We do not accept responsibility for acts or omissions of third-party service providers, experts, barristers or other professional advisers engaged on your behalf, except to the extent that liability cannot lawfully be excluded.
16.3 We are not responsible for loss caused by third-party hacking, cybercrime or interference with information technology systems beyond our reasonable control, except to the extent that liability cannot lawfully be excluded.
16.4 Nothing in these Terms excludes or limits any liability that cannot legally be excluded or limited.
17. DOCUMENTS, RECORDS AND FILE RETENTION
17.1 We will maintain records of important documents received or created during the course of providing our Services.
17.2 We may maintain documents electronically and may destroy physical originals, except where the original document is legally important or must be retained.
17.3 We may dispose of duplicate, trivial or non-substantive documents, including routine correspondence that does not contain material information.
17.4 We may retain copies of documents provided to you or to another person, even after the original documents have been returned.
17.5 We will provide copies or originals of documents to which you are legally entitled upon request. We may charge reasonable costs for retrieving, copying or providing documents where permitted by law.
17.6 Where documents belong to a third party, you may be required to provide that party's written authority before we release them.
17.7 Unless you instruct us otherwise in writing, you authorise us to destroy or permanently delete our files and documents relating to your matter after seven years from the conclusion of our engagement, except where we are required by law or professional obligations to retain them for longer.
17.8 We may retain documents for longer at our discretion.
17.9 We may return documents to you in physical or electronic form rather than retaining them.
17.10 We own the copyright in documents and work created by us in providing the Services. We grant you a non-exclusive licence to use and reproduce those documents for your own personal or commercial purposes. You may not authorise a third party to reproduce, adapt or use those documents without our written consent, except where permitted by law.
18. TERMINATION OF ENGAGEMENT
18.1 You may terminate our engagement at any time by providing notice to us.
18.2 Your termination of the engagement does not affect your obligation to pay our fees, disbursements and expenses incurred up to the date of termination.
18.3 Where we have agreed to undertake work for a fixed fee and you terminate the engagement before completion, we may charge a reasonable proportion of the agreed fixed fee, having regard to the work completed and the work remaining.
18.4 Additional work undertaken outside the agreed fixed-fee scope may be charged separately.
18.5 We may terminate our engagement where permitted by the Rules, including where:
a) A conflict of interest arises;
b) You fail to pay our fees or other amounts due;
c) You fail to provide necessary instructions or information;
d) You provide materially false, misleading or incomplete information;
e) You instruct us to act in a manner that would breach our professional obligations;
f) You fail to comply with reasonable requests necessary to progress your matter;
g) AML/CFT requirements prevent us from commencing or continuing to act; or
h) Other good cause exists under the Rules.
18.6 Where we terminate our engagement, we will take reasonable steps to protect your interests and comply with our professional obligations, including providing reasonable notice where required.
18.7 Upon termination, all outstanding fees, disbursements and expenses incurred up to the date of termination will remain payable.
19. FEEDBACK AND COMPLAINTS
19.1 Client satisfaction is one of our primary objectives, and we welcome feedback about our services.
19.2 If you have concerns or complaints about any aspect of our services, you should raise them as soon as possible with the person responsible for your matter.
19.3 If the issue is not resolved, you may refer the matter to our Principal, Ranbir Singh Sandhu.
Email: ranbir@acslaw.co.nz
19.4 We will investigate your complaint and endeavour in good faith to resolve it fairly and promptly.
19.5 If you are not satisfied with our response, you may refer your complaint to the New Zealand Law Society Lawyers Complaints Service.
Telephone: 0800 261 801
Website: www.lawsociety.org.nz
20. GENERAL TERMS
20.1 We do not promise or guarantee any particular result or outcome in any legal matter. Many legal matters involve decisions by independent third parties, courts, government agencies or other authorities over which we have no control.
20.2 We will provide our professional opinion and advice based on the information available to us, but this does not constitute a promise or guarantee of a particular result.
20.3 If you provide us with any document, whether an original or copy, we will ordinarily rely on it as being genuine and accurate unless there is reason to suspect otherwise.
20.4 You confirm that all information, documents and instructions supplied to us are, to the best of your knowledge, true, accurate, complete and not misleading.
20.5 You must promptly notify us if any information or document previously provided becomes inaccurate, incomplete or misleading.
20.6 If information or documents supplied by you are subsequently found to be false, fraudulent, fabricated or misleading, this may affect our ability to continue acting and may result in additional costs or other consequences for which you may be responsible, to the extent permitted by law.
20.7 You acknowledge that we rely on the accuracy and completeness of the information you provide when giving legal advice and undertaking work on your behalf.
20.8 You may request clarification of any provision in these Terms of Engagement before proceeding with our Services.
20.9 If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will continue to apply to the fullest extent permitted by law.
20.10 These Terms are binding upon you and your lawful successors, where applicable, subject to any restrictions imposed by law.
20.11 You may not assign or transfer your rights or obligations under these Terms without our prior written consent.
21. CLIENT ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND ACCEPTANCE
By signing below, or by providing instructions to ACS Lawyers after receiving these Terms of Engagement, you acknowledge and confirm that:
21.1 You have received and had an opportunity to read these Terms of Engagement.
21.2 You understand the basis upon which ACS Lawyers will provide legal services to you.
21.3 You understand the scope of the Services and the applicable fees, disbursements and charges set out in the Engagement Letter or Engagement Schedule.
21.4 You agree to provide all information and documentation reasonably required for AML/CFT compliance and identity verification.
21.5 You understand that ACS Lawyers may be unable to commence or continue acting if you do not provide the required information.
21.6 You authorise ACS Lawyers to deduct properly invoiced fees and expenses from funds held in its trust account on your behalf, subject to the terms of this agreement. 21.7 You acknowledge that no particular legal outcome has been promised or guaranteed.
21.8 You have had the opportunity to seek independent legal advice or clarification about these Terms before accepting them.