Terms of Engagement

These terms govern the provision of strategic consultancy services by Legal Lens. We provide documentary support, procedural guidance, and evidence-based analysis for individuals navigating tribunal proceedings and regulatory matters. Please read these terms carefully as they define our professional relationship and mutual obligations.

Our Regulatory Status

Legal Lens is an independent consultancy that operates in England and Wales (company registration pending). Our office is at 124 City Road, London, EC1V 2NX.

Important Notice: Legal Lens is NOT a firm of solicitors and is NOT regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). We do not provide legal advice, conduct litigation, or undertake reserved legal activities as defined by the Legal Services Act 2007.

Scope of Services

Our consultancy services are strictly limited to:

Documentary Support: Assistance with document preparation, organisation, and chronology development
Procedural Guidance: Information about tribunal processes, timelines, and requirements
Evidence Analysis: Review and assessment of documentary evidence strength
Strategic Planning: Development of case presentation strategies and witness preparation support
Regulatory Research: Analysis of applicable regulations, codes, and procedural rules
Whistleblowing Support: Guidance on protected disclosure frameworks and processes

We explicitly DO NOT provide legal representation, appear in tribunals on your behalf, or offer advice on legal rights and remedies. You remain responsible for all decisions regarding your case.

Your Responsibilities

As our client, you acknowledge and agree to:

Information Accuracy: Provide complete, accurate, and timely information relevant to your matter
Document Provision: Supply all requested documents in accessible formats within agreed timeframes
Decision Making: Make all substantive decisions about your case independently or with qualified legal advice
Legal Advice: Seek independent legal advice before taking any action based on our consultancy support
Confidentiality: Maintain confidentiality of our working methods and any proprietary frameworks we share
Payment Obligations: Meet all fee obligations according to the agreed payment schedule

Accepting Instructions

We reserve the right to decline or discontinue instructions where:

The matter falls outside our consultancy scope
A conflict of interest exists or may arise
You request services we cannot lawfully provide
Payment terms are not met
You fail to provide necessary information or cooperation

Our Fees

Our consultancy operates on the following fee structure:

Hourly Rate: £60-£75 per hour (depending on complexity)
Fixed Fee Projects: Available for defined scope work, quoted in advance
Initial Consultation: Free for 60 minutes (credited against subsequent instruction)
Document Review: £50 per bundle (up to 50 pages)
Urgent Work: 50% premium for work required within 48 hours

All fees are exclusive of VAT where applicable. We do not operate on a contingency or “no win, no fee” basis.

Payment Terms

Advance Payment: Initial retainer required before commencement of work
Invoicing: Monthly invoices for ongoing matters, payable within 14 days
Late Payment: Interest at 8% above Bank of England base rate on overdue amounts
Payment Methods: Bank transfer, debit card, or standing order (no cash accepted)

Security Alert: We will NEVER notify you of bank account changes via email. Any payment instruction changes must be verified by telephone.

Limitation of Liability

Our liability to you for any loss or damage arising from our consultancy services is strictly limited to:

Maximum Liability: £500,000 per claim or series of related claims
Excluded Losses: No liability for indirect, consequential, or economic losses
Time Limitation: Claims must be brought within 12 months of the issue arising
Contributory Factors: Liability reduced proportionally where you contribute to any loss

Professional Indemnity Insurance

Legal Lens maintains professional indemnity insurance with Markel International Insurance Company Limited (Policy Number: CE32941) providing coverage of £500,000 per claim. This insurance covers professional negligence, breach of confidentiality, and defamation arising from our consultancy services.

Additional cyber liability coverage of £100,000 is maintained for data protection breaches and cyber incidents, subject to policy terms and exclusions.

Confidentiality

We will maintain strict confidentiality regarding all information you provide, subject to:

Legal Obligations: Disclosure required by law or court order
Money Laundering: Reporting obligations under anti-money laundering regulations
Professional Insurers: Disclosure to our professional indemnity insurers if required
Your Consent: Where you explicitly authorise disclosure

Note that as we are not solicitors, communications with us are NOT covered by legal professional privilege. Documents and communications may be subject to disclosure in legal proceedings.

Data Protection

We process personal data in accordance with UK GDPR and our Privacy Policy. We are registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office (Registration: ZB903494). Your data will be:

Processed lawfully for the provision of consultancy services
Stored securely with appropriate technical measures
Retained for 7 years after matter conclusion for insurance purposes
Shared only where necessary for service provision or legal compliance

Intellectual Property

All methodologies, frameworks, templates, and materials we provide remain our intellectual property. You are granted a non-exclusive, non-transferable licence to use these materials solely for the matter for which they were provided. You may not:

Share our materials with third parties without consent
Use our materials for any other matter or purpose
Reproduce or modify our proprietary frameworks
Remove any copyright or proprietary notices

Complaints Procedure

While we strive for excellence, if you are dissatisfied with our service:

Stage 1: Raise concerns directly with your consultant
Stage 2: Submit formal complaint to john@legallens.org.uk
Stage 3: We will acknowledge within 48 hours and respond fully within 14 days
Stage 4: If unresolved, matters may be referred to alternative dispute resolution

As we are not SRA-regulated, you cannot refer complaints to the Legal Ombudsman. However, you retain all rights under consumer protection legislation.

Termination

Either party may terminate our engagement by providing 7 days’ written notice. Upon termination:

All outstanding fees become immediately payable
We will return your documents within 14 days
You must return or destroy our proprietary materials
Confidentiality obligations continue indefinitely

We may terminate immediately if you breach these terms, fail to pay fees, or request unlawful services.

General Terms

Entire Agreement: These terms constitute the complete agreement between us
Variations: Any changes must be agreed in writing
Severability: Invalid provisions will be severed without affecting remaining terms
Governing Law: English law governs these terms
Jurisdiction: Exclusive jurisdiction of courts of England and Wales
Force Majeure: Neither party liable for failures due to circumstances beyond reasonable control

Contact Information

For questions about these terms or our services:

Email: john@legallens.org.uk
Website: www.legallens.org.uk
Address: 124 City Road, London, EC1V 2NX

Acceptance of Terms

By instructing Legal Lens, you confirm that you:

Have read and understood these terms
Accept that we are not solicitors or legal advisers
Will seek independent legal advice as necessary
Agree to be bound by these terms of engagement