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Terms of Business 

1. About Us

Andrew Croft & Co Solicitors are authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) under registration number 570853. We comply with the SRA Handbook, including the Code of Conduct 2011, available at www.sra.org.uk.

  • Notary Public Work: Regulated by The Faculty Office of the Archbishop of Canterbury, not the SRA.

  • Porters Estate Agent: An independent, separate business sharing our office, regulated under the Property Redress Scheme and not by the SRA.

This statement applies to all Solicitor-based work only.

2. Professional Indemnity Insurance

  • We hold professional indemnity insurance covering errors or failures up to £2,000,000.

  • We are not liable for consequential, indirect, special, or exemplary damages, lost profits, or opportunities.

  • These limits do not apply to liability for death or personal injury caused by our negligence.

3. Client Money

  • Our Client Account is held at Barclays Bank Plc:

    • Sort Code: 20-72-33

    • Account Number: 93966836

    • Branch: Richmond, Leicester LE87 2BD

  • Client money is held as your agent. We are not responsible if the bank fails to repay money.

  • Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) protection: Up to £85,000 per individual across all accounts in the same banking group.

  • Interest Policy:

    • We pay interest on funds held, currently at 0.01%.

    • No interest is paid if the total due is under £100, as administrative costs would outweigh the benefit.

  • Payment Instructions:

    • Payments should be made to our Client Account unless settling an invoice.

    • Sort Code: 20-72-33, Account Number: 93260909 (for invoice payments only).

    • If you receive a different payment request, contact us immediately as it may be fraudulent.

4. Identification, Payments & Anti-Money Laundering

  • Client Identification: A Client ID Form, original ID, and a bank statement (showing name, address, sort code, and account number) are required.

  • We do not accept bank details by email. Changes require an original bank statement.

  • Cash Payments:

    • We reserve the right to decline cash payments.

    • Additional charges may apply for extra checks if cash is deposited into our account.

  • Preferred Payment Method: Electronic transfer to our Client Account.

  • Anti-Money Laundering Compliance:

    • Suspicious transactions may be reported to the National Crime Agency (NCA), delaying payments.

    • Third-party payers must undergo the same identity checks.

    • Secure online identity checks may be used.

5. Confidentiality

We maintain strict confidentiality of your personal and case details, except where disclosure is required by law.

6. Fees and Disbursements

  • Fee Estimate: Provided at the outset with a minimum and maximum range.

  • Fixed Fees: Cover specified work. Any extra work is billed at hourly rates.

  • Hourly Rates:

    • Billed in 6-minute units (10 units per hour).

  • Disbursements:

    • These are payments made on your behalf (e.g., search fees, court fees).

    • We may require prepayment or may advance costs at our discretion.

  • VAT:

    • Registered VAT Number: 141142756

    • Current VAT rate: 20%

  • Billing & Payments:

    • Payment is due within 14 days.

    • Late payments incur 8% simple interest per year, calculated daily after one month.

    • If multiple clients instruct us, all are jointly and severally liable.

7. Service Standards

  • Communication:

    • We update you via emails, letters, and calls.

    • We use clear, simple language.

    • We aim to respond within five working days.

  • Your Responsibilities:

    • Provide timely, clear, and complete instructions.

    • Supply all required documents and information promptly.

    • Securely retain any court or case-related documents.

8. Mediation & Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)

  • Before starting court proceedings, we may need to consider mediation or ADR.

  • If mediation is required, your details may be shared with an independent mediator.

9. Porters Estate Agents

  • Independent Business: Not regulated by the SRA.

  • No obligation to use their services.

10. Insurance Advice

  • We are not authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) but are registered to conduct insurance mediation activities, regulated by the SRA.

  • FCA Register: www.fca.org.uk/register

11. Equality & Diversity

We are committed to equality and diversity in all dealings with clients, third parties, and employees.

12. Complaints Procedure

  • If you are unhappy, contact your solicitor first.

  • If unresolved, write to Andrew Croft at ac@andrewcroft.com or our office address.

  • Complaint Handling Process:

    • Acknowledge receipt within 7 days.

    • Provide a full written response within 8 weeks.

  • Legal Ombudsman:

    • If unresolved, you can escalate your complaint.

    • Website: www.legalombudsman.co.uk

    • Phone: 0300 555 0333

    • Complaints must be filed within 6 months of our final response.

13. Third Parties

  • This agreement is personal to you unless agreed otherwise in writing.

14. Storage of Papers

  • Retention Period: Minimum 6 years from final billing date.

  • Destruction Policy:

    • Paper and electronic files may be destroyed after 6 years.

    • Original Wills and Leases are kept unless otherwise agreed.

  • File Retrieval:

    • A charge may apply for locating and producing stored documents.

15. Jurisdiction & Legal Proceedings

  • Governing Law: English law.

  • Jurisdiction: Exclusive to English courts.

  • Legal Proceedings:

    • Must be served in England at our principal place of business.

    • Only accepted via first-class post or DX (not email or fax).

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