INFORMATION FOR CLIENTS

 

As required by the Law Society’s Conduct and Client Care Rules, I provide you with the following information.

 
 

FEES

 

The basis on which fees will be charged and when payment of fees is to be made is set out in my terms of engagement.

 
 

MONEY AND LAWYERS' FIDELITY FUND

 

Barristers are not permitted to hold client funds.

 

If it is necessary for you to make payments in advance, whether to cover disbursements (including fees for experts or other services) or my fees, I can make an arrangement for these to be held in the trust account of a law firm or other authorised organisation. You will be required to accept standard terms and conditions with that firm or organisation in relation to the arrangement. The Lawyers Fidelity Fund does not provide any cover in relation to me or any other barristers.

 
 

COMPLAINTS

 

I maintain a procedure for handling any complaints by clients, designed to ensure that a complaint is dealt with promptly and fairly. Any complaints should be made in writing, either by email to jacki@jcolebarrister.com or by writing to me at PO Box 51159, Tawa 5249. Upon receipt of a complaint I will discuss the matter with a senior barrister colleague for their advice on the best way to resolve the complaint promptly and fairly. I will then contact you in writing regarding resolution of the complaint.

 

If you have a complaint about my services or charges, you should refer this to me so that it may be dealt with under my complaints procedure described above.

 

After this, you may if you wish refer your complaint to the Law Society. To do so, you should contact the Law Society’s Complaints Service, the contact details of which are PO Box 5041, Lambton Quay, Wellington 6145, telephone 0800 261 801 or complaints@lawsociety.org.nz.  Information about the process can be accessed on www.lawsociety.org.nz.

 
 

CAPACITY AND EXPERIENCE IN PERFORMING THE SERVICES

 

I was admitted to the bar in 1995 and have been in practice as a barrister since 2019. Before that I practiced as a lawyer in private practice (ie, in law firms) or in-house (at the New Zealand Crown Law Office and before that as the Principal Legal Officer of the Kimberley Aboriginal Land Council) in both New Zealand and Australia.  My experience is described in more detail on my curriculum vitae, a copy of which I am happy to share with you on request.

 

 

ANY DISADVANTAGE WHICH I BELIEVE MAY BE SUFFERED BY YOU IF NO INSTRUCTING LAWYER IS RETAINED

 

As a barrister, I do not offer a complete range of legal services and there may be limits on my availability due to other commitments.

 

 

CLIENT CARE AND SERVICE

 

The Law Society client care and service information is set out below.

 

Whatever legal services your lawyer is providing, he or she must:

  • act competently, in a timely way, and in accordance with instructions received and arrangements made
  • protect and promote your interests and act for you free from compromising influences or loyalties
  • discuss with you your objectives and how they should best be achieved
  • provide you with information about the work to be done, who will do it and the way the services will be provided
  • charge you fees that are fair and reasonable and let you know when they will be billed
  • give you clear information and advice
  • protect your privacy and ensure appropriate confidentiality
  • treat you fairly, respectfully and without discrimination
  • keep you informed about the work being done and advise you when it is completed
  • let you know how to make a complaint and deal with any complaint promptly and fairly

 

The obligations lawyers owe to clients are described in the Rules of Conduct and Client Care for Lawyers.  Those obligations are subject to other overriding duties, including duties to the courts and to the justice system.

 

If you have any questions, please visit www.lawsociety.org.nz or call 0800 261 801.

 

 

LIMITATIONS ON EXTENT OF MY OBLIGATIONS OR LIABILITY

 

Any limitations on the extent of my obligations to you or any limitation or exclusion of liability are set out in my standard Terms of Engagement or will be set out in the letter or email I will send you on each engagement.

Jacki Cole Barrister

PO Box 51159, Tawa,

Wellington 5249

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