Terms & Conditions of engagement
MJ WILLS AND POWERS OF ATTORNEY LIMITED.
(Registered company number 14025807. Registered address: The Old School, Church Lane, Aston by Stone, Staffordshire. ST15 0BJ. (hereinafter called “The Company”). The Company directors are Margaret Jones LL.B (Hons) solicitor (non-practicing) and Michael Jones.
These terms and conditions of engagement are governed by English laws and any dispute shall be resolved within the jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales. They apply to all instructions accepted by the Company in the provision of Will Writing and Lasting Powers of Attorney. They form the basis of the contract between the Company and the Client except where changes are agreed in writing.
The Company has Professional Indemnity Insurance and Public Liability Cover.
Documents are drafted in accordance with the law as it stands, and The Company will not be liable for consequences because of future changes in the law.
The Company’s aim is to provide the highest standards of advice, service, and professionally drafted documents. The Company undertakes to comply with clients’ instructions with due care, skill, and expedition appropriate to client’s needs. To maintain confidentiality and to provide clients with the best advice on Wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney, and any necessary associated documents. Full details of charges can be found here on our website and will be given to you in advance. The Company cannot be held liable for circumstances beyond it’s control, e.g. delay in postal services.
The Company aims to see clients personally to take instructions but will also provide consultations via Zoom, Teams meetings on a computer, laptop or other mobile device and telephone consultations as appropriate. For clients attending our offices we will provide witnesses for signing documents or act as certificate provider on Lasting Powers of Attorney. Generally, two appointments will be required. If the client has completed Lasting Powers of Attorney, we are happy to attend on attorneys, at the same time or at a later meeting for them to sign the documents. Alternatively, we can send documents out for signing and witnessing with clear instructions as to how this must be done.
The client’s obligation is to provide accurate and honest information to enable The Company to give the best advice and to draft suitable legal documents. The Company will not be liable for ineffective or inaccurate documents if the client fails to provide the relevant information. The client’s obligation is to read through all documents to confirm that all names and addresses are correct, and that any Will correctly reflects the clients wishes regarding distribution of the estate. Draft documents will be sent out by email if possible within 5 working days of instructions being received (see cancellation below). Where the client does not attend our offices, The Company will send out final documents for signature within 5 working days of approval together with full instruction on signing.
It is the client’s responsibility to correctly sign the documents and to return them to The Company if the client would like them to be checked. Any documents needing to be sent back to clients for resigning will incur an additional charge. The cost of errors by the Company will be borne entirely by the Company. However, the Company will not be liable for errors because of the client providing inaccurate or incomplete information. The Client agrees to notify The Company if they have not received draft documents within 14 days of an initial appointment. If factors outside our control mean we need to change the time scale we will discuss this with you.
If the Company is unable to complete a transaction for any reason The Company reserves the right to withdraw. The Company will advise the client in writing and refund any fees paid.
Fees.
The Company will provide the client with an estimate of fees, and they are published on our web site. Any additional services will incur additional costs. Disbursements (money paid out on your behalf) are in addition to fees and must be paid in advance into our client account.
The client agrees to pay the full amount of fees due to The Company in accordance with the invoice on completion of the matter. The preferred method of payment is by bank transfer, but we can accept cash, cheques or card payments. In the interests of security, we do not publish our bank details but will provide them to the client via correspondence, telephone, or email. Details will also be on the invoice.
Data Protection.
Personal information may be collected during meetings, on a contact form, in correspondence or by telephone. Personal information may be used by the Company to carry out its obligations under this agreement, to provide you with information and details of other products and/or services which may be of interest to you and for accounting purposes. We will not disclose your information to a third party except:- (a) The Company or substantially all its assets being acquired by a third party, in which case personal information held by us about our clients will be one of the transferred assets (b)To prevent fraud or (c) if required to do so by law.
Your rights are: to withdraw consent where you have given it, to be informed and have access to your personal data, to correct or complete inaccurate data, and in certain circumstances to restrict, request erasure, object to processing, or request transfer of your personal data to another organisation. If you wish to contact us regarding your data protection rights, please email us at:- margaret@mjwills.co.uk
The Information Commissioner’s Office (the ICO) is the supervisory authority that regulates personal data in the UK. You can get in touch with the ICO by: Visiting their website: www.ico.org.uk, Calling them on 0303 123 1113 or writing to: Information Commissioner’s Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow SK9 5AF
Complaints.
The Company is committed to providing clients with a high-quality service. We will maintain confidentiality, never share your data, (except as above) provide a speedy and efficient service and communicate with you to keep you advised of progress. However, if you do have a complaint about any service provided by The Company email us at :- margaret@mjwills.co.uk
Director Michael Jones will investigate your complaint and respond within 5 working days. You can also contact the Society of Will Writers Chancery House, Whisby Way, Lincoln, Lincolnshire. LN6 3LQ Tel: 01522 687888 who will also investigate your complaint.
Cancellation Policy.
Provided we have not seen you in person you can cancel this agreement with MJ Wills and Powers of Attorney Limited within 14 days of the date of the agreement by writing to The Company at the registered address or by email. Use the attached cancellation form and post it or email it to us at :- margaret@mjwills.co.uk
Waiver of cancellation rights.
Following telephone only consultation we can proceed with drafting documents immediately if you complete the attached instruction to proceed form and post it to the registered address or email it to :- margaret@mjwills.co.uk
If a contract is cancelled for any reason, The Company reserves the right to charge for work already done. Any money already paid will be refunded less the costs incurred in work already done. Where the client has yet to make a payment the amount due will be adjusted accordingly.
You should read our terms and conditions of engagement before signing them. By using this website you accept and agree these Terms and Conditions of business.