Standard Terms and Conditions in Providing Legal Services

1. Scope of Services
• Clearly defines what legal services will be provided.
• States what is not included (e.g., no tax advice, or no litigation unless agreed).
• May specify limitations (e.g., for one particular transaction or matter).

2. Client Responsibilities
• Obligation to provide accurate, timely, and complete information.
• Duty to cooperate and respond to lawyer inquiries.
• Duty to pay fees as agreed.

3. Fees and Billing
• Hourly rate, flat fee, or contingency fee basis.
• Retainer amounts and how they are handled.
• Billing intervals (e.g., monthly) and payment terms.
• Reimbursement of expenses (e.g., court filing fees, travel).
• Interest or penalties for late payments.

4. Confidentiality
• Lawyer’s duty to maintain client confidentiality.
• Conditions under which confidentiality may be waived (e.g., with consent, by law).

5. Conflicts of Interest
• Disclosure of any potential conflicts.
• Right of the firm to withdraw if a conflict arises.

6. Termination of Services
• Client’s right to terminate representation at any time.
• Lawyer’s right to withdraw under certain conditions (e.g., nonpayment, conflict, unethical demands).
• Obligations upon termination (e.g., return of documents, final invoice).

7. Limitation of Liability
• May include disclaimers or limitations to the extent allowed by law.
• Often excludes liability for indirect or consequential damages.

8. Use of Third Parties
• May state that the law firm can delegate certain tasks to paralegals, clerks, or external counsel.
• Clarifies who is responsible for oversight and billing of those services.

9. Governing Law and Jurisdiction
• Specifies which state/country’s laws govern the agreement.
• Determines the forum for dispute resolution (e.g., local courts, arbitration).

10. Client Identity and AML Compliance
• Lawyers may need to verify the identity of clients (especially in corporate or cross-border matters).
• Includes compliance with anti-money laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) regulations.

11. Communication
• Consent to communicate via email or other methods (may include disclaimers about security).
• Instructions about how confidential communications are handled.

12. Intellectual Property and Work Product
• Clarifies ownership of documents and legal work.
• Typically, clients receive a license to use, but the lawyer retains copyright.

13. File Retention and Destruction
• Explains how long client files will be kept after a matter is closed.
• Policy for destruction (e.g., 6 years after completion).

Additional Notes:
• Engagement Letter: These terms are usually contained in or attached to an Engagement Letter or Retainer Agreement.
• Bar Rules: Lawyers must also comply with local Rules of Professional Conduct set by the relevant Bar Association or Law Society.