The whole website explores in detail the areas of law we practise; looked at in terms, though, of what you might be facing and how we may be able to help one can think of it this way:

• Transactional
  When money is changing hands or assets/obligations being swapped, you will often want the comfort of a lawyer handling the negotiations – from Heads of Terms to formal completing documents - and advising you on the law behind the deal, the fine print and the impact of what is said/being asked for. Search our site for more input on the types of transaction on which we advise and make contact with us to see if you would enjoy the Carter Lemon Camerons approach to the deals you are involved in.
  
• Dispute resolution
  If you know you deserve something but the people you are dealing with are hiding;  if someone is trying to get you to pay for something you do not think should fall at your door;  if you and those you transact with disagree about the meaning of a document or course of dealing and you may well want to have input from those who have worked with clients day in day out to try to get justice and to settle disputes on a cost effective way. Our website gives examples of the many and varied ways we work with people to crack issues promptly and sensibly.
  
• Personal life-issues (financial planning, employment, providing for dependents)
  Many firms of lawyers operating around our offices at 10 Aldersgate Street London EC1 will only act for corporate entities and/or only take on work involving more than a certain amount of money and/or only seek international types of transaction to handle. We know there is strong demand for personal service to individuals who want to make a sensible Will (and/or lifetime Trust) to provide for their spouse/partner/children or just to get money to their preferred good-causes rather than it disappearing in tax; we know the same is true when people want to change jobs, take up share-options; in all sorts of areas of the life of an individual be it financial or personal, Carter Lemon Camerons has lawyers who understand and who will give you the time and energy to decide and act as you feel is most appropriate – the “Private Client” matters to us!
  
• Business life-issues (financing, corporate governance, restructuring, incorporating)
  Your “business” may be public, private, entrepreneurial, institutional, not-for-profit, established on-shore or off-shore, and it may be just you or a limited liability company, a PLC, a charity, a public body, an LLP, a partnership or any number of combinations of those concepts. We have experience dealing with all those types of businesses and we would relish the opportunity to add to the list. We advise not only on transactional and dispute related issues but also on fiscal hygiene, on record keeping, on filing requirements, on shareholder agreements and other ways behind the constitution of the corporate body to regulate your affairs – and we have helped clients incorporate/ reorganise/ merge/ acquire and re-structure. If you are struggling with or contemplating something, why not ask Carter Lemon Camerons if it makes sense to involve us and see what solutions we can offer.

Carter Lemon Camerons LLP is a business and we charge for the work we do. It is important, though, that our clients are content with the way we approach charging and understand it.

• How much will you charge?
  Most of our work is charged by reference to agreed hourly rates, and we follow the profession’s guidelines in using 6 minute minimum units and updating our time rates not more than once per year. The rates vary according to the experience and qualification of the person involved and we do not charge for secretarial or I.T. support, only for lawyers’ time and that of trainees and paralegals. For some work it is appropriate to offer a charge for a task (e.g. for buying or selling a house/flat of a particular value) and in that case the fee is not directly related to the time commitment.
  
• Why is it difficult to get a straight answer on this critical issue?
  Most misunderstanding on fees happens because the nature of the work changes as the transaction progresses.  So we give a fee for buying a house, but the first deal falls through and the second one involves a house with uncertain boundaries and covenants.  You restructure your finance with part coming from conventional mortgage and part from a family Trust. The sellers cannot prove the building was properly authorised planning permission and building regulations are an issue. At this point the original fee-estimate is inappropriate as the nature of the deal has shifted and the work we must do is different.  It is for you and us to work together to avoid misunderstandings of this nature and the vast majority of our work is billed on agreed bases to clients who recognise the sensible relationship between what we do and what they pay.
  
• What terms and conditions apply to your work?
  Like most businesses we have standard terms and conditions which are intended to reduce the amount of correspondence needed at the outset of a matter and to deal with standard issues between clients and us.
  
• When and how do you expect to be paid?
  If we are paying things for you or giving a professional undertaking that something you owe will be paid, we must insist on you funding that in advance. This is not about us getting paid more quickly but rather about us avoiding accidentally becoming a “bank” to our clients! In terms of fees for the legal work we do, we aim to agree at the outset when and how a matter will be billed. Unless otherwise agreed, a bill is due when it is presented but in any event within 30 days. A lot of our work is ongoing in nature (dispute resolution, corporate governance, title analysis) and we invoice that periodically and by agreement. Certain work can be more obviously billable at certain stages of a transaction and the date it is completed. Normally final bills are payable on completion with us deducting the fees from money involved in the transaction.

Many questions asked of us by telephone and post concern whether we have openings for people who would like to join us. A start in answering that will be found in the following.

• Have you got any jobs available at the moment?
  We are not trying to fill particular vacancies at this point, but if you think you have something special to offer the firm, then please contact us.
  
• How do I apply?
  When we have vacancies, we invite applications with a Curriculum Vitae and covering letter saying why you feel you are suited to the post.
  Application should be addressed to Mrs Janet Dayman.
  
• We recruit:
  
  • Trainee solicitors
    We aim to take on at least two trainee solicitors per year and there is strong competition for those posts. Normally we look for at least one of those recruits to start in late August/ early September but the need can arise at any time in the year. Applications can and should be made stating clearly when the earliest time you would be ready to start a training contract would be. We do not sponsor people who are still in the academic stages prior to them taking up a training contract with us.
    
  • Support staff
    In addition to lawyers, the business employs receptionists, team assistants, accounts staff, administrative staff and I.T. support staff. Keep your eyes on this website for details of vacancies or email info@cartercamerons.com  if you have skills which you think we will want here.
    
  • Paralegals
    An increasing amount of delegation is possible with legal work as the processes for searches, document assembly; title reporting, land registry/companies house registrations etc can be supervised by an appropriately qualified person but carried out by someone with relevant training and experience who is not a fully qualified lawyer. As a result, in addition to lawyers and trainees, we have paralegals supporting our lawyers and, with time and training, taking on a larger workload and responsibility. Keep your eyes on this website for details of vacancies or email info@cartercamerons.com
    
  • Barristers/ Legal Executives/Licensed Conveyancers
    There are lawyers who are not solicitors and we welcome and acknowledge that. Carter Lemon Camerons LLP employs not only solicitors but also other qualified lawyers with relevant skills for the work they undertake. Keep your eyes on this website for details of vacancies or email info@cartercamerons.com
    
  • Qualified solicitors
    Most of our legal work is done by qualified solicitors and we aim to grow our team of lawyers steadily year on year. Part of that process is regular recruitment on a need driven basis but part is also looking out for complimentary disciplines and people who will bring something extra. Even if you do not see a job being advertised by us at the moment, if you are a qualified solicitor who likes what you see on this web-site, email info@cartercamerons.com with a summary of who you are and what you would offer your professional “home”. We believe that we offer a comfortable and invigorating work-environment with I.T./telecommunications support and support staff within a team-approach which will appeal to many lawyers and their clients. Any approach would be treated with the utmost discretion and privacy.

To a greater or lesser extent, many people assume lawyers are all more or less the same and that the service is primarily one delivered by reference to the skill set, training and professional rules within which we work.

We like to think that we have a distinct “approach”.

• Our approach to clients
  Every client is special and we cannot say “you will...” because you will come with your own particular issues. However, we can boast clients who are children or grandchildren of other clients, clients which are businesses set up by ex-employees or by those who knew Carter Lemon Camerons from previous employment, clients now owned and operated by new sets of people from those who first knew and engaged us as their lawyers. We aim to establish a strong, long-lasting professional relationship with our clients and for you to know to whom you can turn, with whom you should engage, and that we will treat your matters strictly confidentially and take you seriously but laugh with you when the opportunity arises too.
  
• Our approach to contacts
  Many clients come to us because of professional relationships we have with accountants, surveyors, estate agents, loss adjusters, insurance brokers, barristers, bankers, financiers and others and many of our clients talk to us about to whom they should turn – if not us – for advice in all sorts of other areas. We welcome the many contacts we enjoy and we aim to build on those professional relationships for the benefit of our clients.
  
• Our approach to other English/Welsh lawyers
  We approach other lawyers with respect and professionalism but also with a sense of understanding and a desire to conclude an issue efficiently and cost-effectively. If you receive a letter from Carter Lemon Camerons which is impenetrable or obtuse, please complain. You should have clarity and pragmatism from us and we need to be told if that standard is not upheld.
  
• Our approach to lawyers from other jurisdictions
  Many of our clients are established in jurisdictions other than England and Wales and we have strong relationships with lawyers in many other jurisdictions as a result of this and of those with whom our clients deal being increasingly international in nature. There is a mutuality of benefit in these relationships as we can deliver swiftly to our clients the non-UK service they need by knowing the people to involve and those people also know the direct and human approach they will receive from us. We welcome and aim to strengthen relationships with lawyers practising around the globe.
  
• Our approach to partners and staff
  Carter Lemon Camerons LLP is a business delivering legal advice but it is also a thriving community of people. We do not live in each others’ pockets but we take the opportunity to know one another and to play to each others’ strengths. Our modern, well equipped, open plan office encourages that spirit of team endeavour, but we also have private rooms for when the need arises. We believe that we offer a healthy, contented work-environment where everyone is encouraged to develop his or her skills and to contribute to a well run business. We have a strong commitment to education and involvement.  No-one is too lowly to have a voice which will be heard; no-one is too important to be told he or she is wrong. While we see the whole of Carter Lemon Camerons as bigger than its constituent parts we also do not assert that there is a Carter Lemon Camerons which would be what it is regardless of the people who work there. Our people are our greatest strength.
  
• Our approach to “life”
  • Maverick
  • Fun
  • Time for friends and family
  • Personal and always,
  • Professional
    

We particularly like the group of flying geese, which is called a skein. Geese fly in a 'V' formation, called a wedge.  It is thought that the V-shaped formation that geese use when migrating serves two important purposes.

First, it reduces wind resistance and therefore the energy spent by each bird except the leader. The birds take turns being in the front.

The second benefit to the V formation is that it is easier to see the other birds in the group, and birds can signal to each other a change of direction to take advantage of beneficial air currents.

We believe this is illustrative of a dynamic organisation. Its leadership, and change of leader, team involvement and support, agility, strategic change and flexibility, which are qualities we seek to align to when working with clients and to inspire and reward at Carter Lemon Camerons.

We currently maintain client accounts with Royal Bank of Scotland plc and Abbey National plc

CARTER LEMON CAMERONS LLP

As a UK limited liability partnership is a body  corporate, we are entitled to refer to 'members' of the LLP rather than 'partners'.  However, we have decided to retain the  traditional title of 'partner'.  When in  these terms of business or otherwise we refer to an individual being a 'partner',  we use that title to refer to a member of the LLP or an employee or consultant  with equivalent standing and qualifications.   We refer to the LLP below as the firm.

OUR AIM

We aim to provide value for money, which means  charging a reasonable cost for high quality legal services.  The firm seeks to offer all clients an  efficient, responsive, proactive and friendly approach.  To help achieve this, each client has a  nominated Client Partner to provide a regular and familiar point of  contact and who has ultimate responsibility for the client’s affairs within the  firm.  The Client Partner may involve  other partners to deal with your individual matters according to the areas of  specialist advice required.

CONDUCT OF YOUR WORK

Each matter undertaken for you has a Matter  Partner assigned to it.  The Matter  Partner is responsible for the management and supervision of the work to be  carried out.  Matter Partner and Client  Partner may be the same person and the Matter Partner may enlist the assistance  of one or more assistant or trainee solicitors or other members of staff  (qualified or not) whom we consider to have the requisite expertise.  If involved, they will be familiar with the  file and can be contacted in the event of the Matter Partner being unavailable  for any reason. 

We shall assume, unless you advise us to the contrary  in writing, that we have your authority to conduct your matter in such a way as  we consider appropriate.  This authority  extends to instructing counsel (a barrister) and expert witnesses, and  incurring all disbursements (expenses we incur on your behalf).  We aim to keep you informed in advance about  disbursements incurred on your behalf.   All fees arising out of such instructions and all disbursements are  payable by you.

Sometimes conveyancing, probate or  company work involves insurance products or investments.  We are not authorised by the Financial  Services Authority (FSA).  However, we  are included on the register maintained by the FSA (accessible via the FSA  website www.fsa.gov.uk/register), so  that we can carry on insurance mediation activity, which is broadly the  advising on selling and administration of insurance products.  In relation to investments, we may refer you  to someone who is authorised to provide any necessary advice.  However, we can provide certain limited  services in relation to investments, provided they are closely linked with the  legal services we are providing to you.   In relation to these parts of our business, including arrangements for  complaints or redress if something goes wrong, we are regulated by the  Solicitors Regulation Authority.

Unless otherwise agreed, our work will be limited to  advice on English Law and will not extend to accounting, valuation or (unless  we are specifically instructed on this) taxation advice.  We would always stress however, the  importance of taking specialist advice on your tax situation, as this could  have a significant influence on the structuring of the matter.  We can liaise with your other advisers, or  could recommend advisers to you.  In circumstances  where you instruct other professionals to be involved in your transaction (eg  accountants, financial advisers or valuers), it is your responsibility to  provide us with the terms of retainer of those professionals, if you wish us to  check the scope of their retainer so as to avoid the risk of gaps in the advice  being given.

You should be aware that in conveyancing transactions where we believe that a misrepresentation of the purchase price or mortgage fraud may have occurred we are obliged to notify the lender of the true price paid for the property.  This may include us notifying the lender of any discounts or incentives offered by a developer or seller.

General Communication: We shall communicate with you  by whatever method is appropriate to the urgency or circumstances at that  time.  You should advise us of any  special instructions you may have in regard to communications (for example, you  may wish to restrict types of communication or the people with whom we  communicate on your matter).

Email Communication:   Often, in order to speed progress on your matter, we may communicate  with you and others involved in it, by email.   Those communications may contain confidential information.  It is not our intention to encrypt such  information in outgoing emails sent.  As  email is not a totally secure means of communication, this means that  information which is received by someone other than the intended recipient,  could be read by that person.  By  agreeing to our terms, you are also consenting to our use of emails in this way  unless you specifically exclude your consent by notice to us in writing.

CHARGES

Calculation:  Unless otherwise agreed with you our charges are based primarily  on the time we spend in dealing with a matter, including meeting with you and  perhaps others, time spent travelling, considering, preparing and working on  papers, correspondence and making and receiving telephone calls and other  communications.  We record time  electronically on a system which rounds up to six minute units.  Charges may be adjusted to take into account  a number of factors in addition to time spent such as the matter's value,  urgency, importance and complexity.

Hourly Rates:  Details of current hourly rates initially applicable to your  matter will have been provided to you in a separate letter.  Please note that they do not include  disbursements, VAT, photocopying or international telecommunication charges  which will be added (where appropriate) to all invoices.  In the autumn of each year we will review  the hourly rates (to take account of various factors which include changes in  our overhead costs) and notify you in writing of any increased rate.

Estimate of  time:  It is often difficult to estimate how much  time will be necessary to complete a particular matter or any particular stage  of it.  Any estimates of charges which  we give you will not be binding upon us.   Estimates may change as the matter proceeds and it becomes clearer how  much time is likely to be needed to complete it.  We shall advise you if the amount of time we expect to have to  spend will materially exceed that previously estimated.

Sometimes in dealing with courts or a particular  Government department, through their own errors or protracted delay more of our  time might be incurred than ordinarily expected.  In such circumstances and where there is no fault attributable to  our part, you will be liable to pay for that extra time incurred.

Limits on  costs:  You may if you wish agree with us a limit on  the charges which may be incurred without further reference to you.  This means that you must pay charges  incurred up to the agreed limit and we will inform you when it appears that the  limit has been or is soon to be exceeded.

Funds held on  account:  Because solicitors are expected (and in some  circumstances required) to ensure that they have cover for their fees and  disbursements, we are likely to require a sum on account of our charges and  anticipated disbursements before we start work and as matters progress we may  at any time, particularly in contentious matters (litigation) before any  hearing or trial, require further sums to be paid on account.  Sums held in this way are like a deposit and  are not an estimate of the charges you will incur.  We may at any time require further deposits at appropriate points  throughout the transaction so as to ensure there are always sufficient funds to  cover the next anticipated stage.  The  firm does not accept payments in cash other than amounts which are de minimis.

Any payment on account of charges (including  disbursements) may be credited against interim invoices (see below).  If any interest has been earned on your  money held on account, it may be retained and offset by the firm against any  outstanding invoices.  Otherwise  interest will be paid to you in accordance with the Solicitors Accounts Rules  1998.

All transfers and transmissions of your funds are  made at your risk and we shall not be liable for any loss, damage or delays  which result other than through gross negligence on the part of members of  staff of the firm.  We will pass on to you as a disbursement what the bank charges us to transfer or transmit your funds directly to your own or any other requested bank account and charge you a small administration fee. It is unlikely that the firm will ever be held liable for losses resulting from a banking  failure.  Your funds will be held in the firm's client account(s) which  will be maintained with one or more financial institution(s) authorised by the  FSA as deposit takers. The Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS)  applies to certain deposits belonging to clients who are individuals or small  businesses up to a limit (the “Limit”) set from time to time under the FSCS per  client per institution.  Therefore, if a client holds other monies in  institutions with which we bank at the time of a collapse, the total for that  client under the scheme remains the Limit.  Be aware that financial  institutions trade under various different names and you should check either  with your bank, the FSA or a financial adviser if you are in any doubt.   You agree to the firm disclosing your details to the FSCS in the event of a  bank failure.  Which client accounts we hold from time to time can be  ascertained from the General Terms of Business on our website and will be  available on written or personal enquiry at our offices.

You agree to be responsible by way of reimbursement for any charges deducted by your or a third party's bank when transmitting  funds to the firm which result in our receiving less than the required amount  in relation to your matter. 

Please note that in certain circumstances (such as  where funds for purposes connected with the subject-matter of our instructions  emanate from other jurisdictions) we do have to satisfy regulatory requirements  and may have to raise enquiries with you for that purpose.  It is a term  of this retainer that you will deal with any such enquiries immediately and to  the best of your ability.

Uncompleted  work:  For a variety of reasons some matters do not  complete.  In such circumstances a  charge will normally be made in respect of the work that has been undertaken  and any disbursements incurred.

INVOICES

Timing:  We shall either deliver an invoice at or near the completion of a  matter or invoice you on a regular basis.   The timing of invoices may be agreed with you but any such agreement  will be subject to our entitlement to deliver invoices at earlier intervals in  appropriate circumstances.

Payment:  Invoices  are due for payment when they are rendered, and will include VAT (if  chargeable) at the rate applicable as on the invoice date.

Interest:  We reserve  the right to charge interest at a rate equivalent to that awarded by the High  Court on judgment debts on all invoices which remain unpaid after 30 days.  In the event of any invoice remaining unpaid  after such period, interest will be charged from the date of the invoice  compounded at monthly intervals thereafter.

Non-Payment:  If any  invoice is not paid when due, or if funds are not paid on account within seven  days of a request, we reserve the right to give notice to you to decline to act  further and to deliver an invoice for the full amount of work carried out to  that date.

PAYMENT OF FEES BY THIRD PARTIES

Notwithstanding that an agreement may have been reached  in a particular matter that a person other than you is to be responsible for  the payment of our fees on your behalf, you nevertheless will remain primarily  responsible for our fees.  If necessary,  we shall endeavour to ensure that the other person makes payment by way of  reimbursement to you as the client.

Litigation – Order for Costs: Unless agreed between  parties, costs are assessed by the court.   Assessment is complex.  Whilst we  endeavour to recover for you the maximum from the paying party, you should  assume that the amount assessed by the court will be less than your total  liability to this firm.  Furthermore,  whether you succeed in recovering from the paying party depends upon their  ability to pay.  You as the client will  be responsible for the payment of our fees as and when invoices are rendered.

In the event of you winning the case or otherwise  being successful, we may be able to claim interest on “assessed costs” from the  date on which the Order for costs was made.   To the extent that any of our invoices have not been paid in full, we  reserve the right to retain such interest up to the amount of any outstanding  sum.

GRIEVANCES

We very much hope you will be satisfied with our  service.  However, should there be any  aspect of it with which you are unhappy, dissatisfied or simply unsure do not  hesitate to discuss it with either the Matter Partner or the Client Partner at  the earliest opportunity.  On the rare  occasions that we do get complaints, we have always found those raised quickly  can be most easily solved.  If after  such discussion you still feel aggrieved please write to the Senior Partner,  who will investigate the complaint and aim to respond substantively in writing  within 7 days of the completion of that investigation.  A copy of our Complaints Policy is available upon request.  If for any reason we  are unable to resolve the problem between us, then we are regulated by the Law  Society which also provides a complaints and redress scheme.

CONTRACTUAL ARRANGEMENTS

We will write to you as soon as possible after  receipt of initial instructions referring to these terms of business and giving  further information relevant to our acting for you in relation to the  particular matter.  Your continuing  instructions in this matter will amount to your acceptance of these terms of  business.  Even so, we will ask you to  sign and date a copy of the letter accompanying these terms and return it to us  immediately.  We can then be confident  that you understand the basis on which we will act for you.

All disputes in relation to these terms and the  services we provide to you shall be determined by the courts of England and  Wales which shall have exclusive jurisdiction.   English law will govern these terms.

Your file on the matter will be made available for  external inspection as part of audit or other statutory or regulatory  requirement purposes or  (unless you inform us otherwise) for external  quality mark or accreditation reviews during the course of the retainer or  after its expiry.

LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

You agree that the following provisions will govern  the extent of the firm's liability for loss or damage which you may suffer  arising out of this engagement.

The firm's liability will be limited to that  proportion of loss and damage which is just and equitable having regard to the  extent of your own responsibility and that of any other party who may also be  liable to you in respect of it.

The firm's aggregate liability in respect of all  claims by addressees of the retainer letter shall be limited to any amount specified  in that letter or, if no amount is specified there, to £25 million or the  firm's professional indemnity insurance cover from time to time, whichever is  the greater.

TERMINATION

You may terminate your instructions to us in writing  at any time.  We are entitled to keep  all your papers and documents whilst there is money owing to us for our charges  and expenses.  We will decide to stop  acting for you only with good reason and on giving you reasonable notice.

STORAGE OF PAPERS AND DOCUMENTS

After completing your matter, we are entitled to keep  all your papers and documents whilst there is money owing to us for our charges  and expenses.  We will keep the file on  your matter (except for any of your papers which you ask to be returned to you)  for not more than 6 years after sending you the final bill.  Copies of letters and documents on your file  may be stored on CD ROM computer system or microfilm, and the originals  destroyed after a reasonable time.  We  reserve the right to make a reasonable charge for producing copies of these  documents, if they are later requested.   We will not destroy title deeds and documents which you ask us to  deposit in safe custody.

Ordinarily, no charge will be made for  retrieving stored papers or documents in response to continuing or new  instructions to act for you.  We do  however reserve the right to make a charge based on reading the papers, writing  letters or other work necessary to comply with those instructions.

CLIENT SATISFACTION QUESTIONNAIRE

We may send out a client satisfaction questionnaire to you from time to time.  We would be grateful if you could complete this and send it back to the Business Development Manager as soon as you have completed it.

Edition Date: 08.10.2009