1. Who we are
Finnegan Maguire Solicitors is a firm of solicitors practising at Killarney Road, Killorglin, Co. Kerry. The firm is regulated by the Law Society of Ireland. The principal is Siobhán Moriarty. The firm carries professional indemnity insurance as the Law Society requires.
2. Scope of the work
We act only on the matter described in our engagement letter. We do not advise on tax, on financial products, on the structural condition of a property, or on the commercial merits of a transaction, unless we say in writing that we are doing so. Where a matter requires that kind of advice we will tell you, and you should take it from the appropriate professional.
Our advice is given for your use in the matter concerned. It is not to be relied on by anybody else or used for another purpose without our written agreement.
3. Fees, outlays and VAT
You will receive a notice of legal costs under section 150 of the Legal Services Regulation Act 2015 as soon as is reasonably practicable after we take your instructions. It sets out our charges, or the basis on which they will be calculated, together with outlays and VAT. If circumstances change so that the notice becomes materially inaccurate, you will receive an updated one.
Outlays are amounts we pay to others on your behalf, such as search fees, registration fees, court fees, counsel's fees and commissioners' fees. They are passed on at cost. VAT at the prevailing rate applies to our professional fee.
More on how we charge4. Payment and interest
We may ask for money on account of outlays before incurring them. Bills are payable within 30 days of the date of the bill. We do not charge interest on late payment. Bills can be paid by bank transfer, debit card or cheque. Money held for you is kept in a client account under the Solicitors Accounts Regulations and is not treated as the firm's money.
5. Identification and money laundering
Under the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Acts we are required to identify and verify every client, and to understand the source of funds used in a transaction. We will ask for photographic identification, evidence of your address, and information about where money is coming from. We cannot proceed, or continue, without it. We are also required to report certain matters, and we may not be permitted to tell you that a report has been made.
6. Conflicts of interest
We check for conflicts before taking on a matter. There are situations in which we cannot act for both sides, and situations in which we can only act for both with the informed consent of each. If a conflict arises during a matter we will tell you promptly and explain what happens next, which may include ceasing to act for one or both of you.
7. Communication
You will be told at the outset which solicitor has responsibility for your matter. We communicate by post, telephone and email. Email is convenient but not secure, and we will never send you revised bank details by email. If you receive an email appearing to come from us changing payment details, telephone the office on 0818 44 55 66 using a number you have independently confirmed before acting on it.
8. Files and papers
When a matter is finished we close the file and store it for 7 years, after which it may be destroyed. Original documents, such as a will or a title deed, are held separately and returned or released on your written instruction. We may retain papers where fees remain unpaid, to the extent the law allows. Our privacy notice explains what we do with personal data.
Privacy notice9. Ending the engagement
You may end our engagement at any time by telling us in writing. We may cease to act where there is good reason, for example a conflict of interest, a breakdown in the relationship, non payment of fees, or where continuing would put us in breach of a professional or statutory obligation. In either case you remain liable for work done and outlays incurred up to that point, and we will account to you for anything we hold.
10. Complaints and regulation
If you are unhappy with any part of our service, tell us. Our complaints procedure sets out who to contact and what happens next. You may also complain to the Legal Services Regulatory Authority about a solicitor's conduct, the standard of service, or costs. A bill of costs may be referred to the Office of the Legal Costs Adjudicators.
These terms are governed by the law of Ireland and the Irish courts have exclusive jurisdiction in relation to them.