These general terms and conditions apply to the services provided to clients by Pro Juridica Attorneys-at-Law Ltd.
Pro Juridica Attorneys-at-Law Ltd (“Pro Juridica” or “we”)
Hallituskatu 13–17 D 39
FI-90100 Oulu, Finland
oulu@projuridica.fi
Tel. +358 20 7551 480
www.projuridica.fi
Pursuant to legislation governing the prevention of money laundering and financing of terrorism, we have an obligation to identify our clients, as well as their representatives and actual beneficiaries. In certain situations, it is also our duty to determine the origin of the client’s assets.
We have an obligation to notify the authorities if the client’s engagement is suspicious or if we have reason to suspect that funds are being used to finance terrorism or money laundering, or if we suspect that the client or its business is subject to sanctions. Such suspicions may lead to an obligation to terminate the engagement.
An engagement with Pro Juridica is established when a lawyer or other legal professional employed by our firm has explicitly accepted the client’s offer or request for legal services. Before accepting the engagement, we conduct an internal conflict of interest assessment, and, if necessary, again during the engagement.
Our engagement covers legal services and legal advice. The key aspects of the engagement will be confirmed in writing to our client whenever possible.
Our services do not include advice on financial, accounting, tax, technical or environmental matters, or the application of any law other than Finnish law.
Additionally, the engagement includes any supplementary work requested by our client during the engagement, provided we agree to undertake such work.
A responsible attorney will be appointed for each engagement. The responsible attorney may be assisted by other persons employed by Pro Juridica in the performance of the engagement.
Email is used for communication and for sending attachments, and encryption is generally not applied. The client must expressly notify us should they require email communications relating to the engagement to be encrypted.
All our activities are conducted in accordance with the Code of Conduct issued by the Finnish Bar Association.
The handling of the engagement will begin at the agreed time and will be carried out without undue delay. In litigation cases, proceedings (in court) may take several years. Billing occurs monthly unless otherwise agreed.
The client is entitled to terminate the engagement at any time by giving written notice without providing a reason, with one day’s notice.
Our firm has the right to terminate this contract for a valid and acceptable reason with two weeks’ notice.
Upon request, we provide the client with a fee estimate related to the work required, provided that the nature and circumstances allow for such an assessment. The estimates given are not binding unless otherwise agreed in writing.
As a general rule, our fees are based on hourly rates (in euros per effective working hour). A fixed fee may be agreed, provided that the nature and circumstances allow for such an arrangement. Unless otherwise agreed with the client, our fees are determined by several factors, including (i) the time spent, (ii) the required expertise and resources, (iii) value of the interests involved, (iv) the potential risks and (v) the urgency of the matter.
Additionally, we will separately charge any other expenses, such as travel costs and governmental or registration fees, incurred in connection with our engagement. Applicable value-added tax (VAT) will be added to all fees and charges.
Accrued fees and expenses are invoiced in arrears each calendar month, unless otherwise agreed. Expenses paid to third parties can be invoiced in advance.
The term of payment is 14 days from the date of sending the invoice. Any delayed payments are subject to statutory interest on arrears.
Pro Juridica reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to require the client to make an advance payment prior to commencing work on the engagement.
A private individual may be entitled to legal aid, either in full or in part, covering the costs of legal representation or court proceedings. If our client wishes to explore this possibility, we recommend that they contact, for example, their local legal aid office before engaging our firm. Our firm does not undertake court proceedings free of charge or engagements funded through legal aid.
Legal expenses insurance is an agreement between our client and their insurance company, under which the client may be entitled to reimbursement of legal costs, subject to the terms and limitations of the insurance policy.
Pro Juridica issues invoices for services rendered directly to the client, not the insurance company. Our fees and expenses, as well as our right to receive payment from the client, are not contingent upon whether the insurance company approves reimbursement for our actions or expenses. Pro Juridica does not assume responsibility for whether the legal expenses insurance covers our fees or costs in full or in part.
We observe confidentiality in all our activities in accordance with the regulations and guidelines governing attorneys that are binding upon us.
We comply with the confidentiality rules and guidelines of the Finnish Bar Association and protect the information provided by the client in accordance with these rules and instructions. We process personal data related to engagements in compliance with data protection legislation.
We process personal data for purposes including the provision of legal services, client relationship management, marketing, and the fulfilment of statutory obligations. Further information on how we process personal data is available in the Privacy Policy on our website.
We comply with the applicable securities legislation and our firm’s internal policy for engagements involving publicly listed companies and maintain an insider register.
The maximum aggregate amount of liability for any damage caused by our firm and its employees in carrying out the engagement shall be limited to EUR 250,000.
We shall be liable only for direct damages. Our services are intended for our clients only and we shall not be liable for any damage caused to any third party.
We shall not be liable for any damages resulting from the use of advice given to the client or the documents prepared for purposes other than those for which they were provided.
We shall not be liable for any claim unless such claim is made within twelve (12) months of the date on which the advice was given or the engagement, or a material part thereof, can reasonably be deemed to have been completed, whichever occurs first.
Pro Juridica Attorneys-at-Law Ltd is registered in the Trade Register maintained by the Finnish Patent and Registration Office. The Business ID of Pro Juridica is 2287184-3, and VAT number is FI22871843.
The attorneys of Pro Juridica are listed in the register of attorneys maintained by the Finnish Bar Association. The professional title “Attorney-at-Law” is granted in Finland.
The supervisory authority for the attorneys of Pro Juridica Attorneys-at-Law is
Finnish Bar Association (Suomen Asianajajat)
PO Box 194 (Mikonkatu 25)
FI-00101 HELSINKI
Tel. +358 (0)9 6866 120
info@barassociation.fi
Pro Juridica has a liability insurance policy taken out for financial loss in accordance with the guidelines on liability insurance issued by the Finnish Bar Association. The contact details of the insurer are
Keskinäinen Vakuutusyhtiö FENNIA
Business ID 0196826-7
FI-00017 FENNIA
Tel. +358 (0)10 5031
www.fennia.fi
The law applicable to all our client relationships, including engagements, shall be Finnish law, excluding its choice of law rules and principles. In a dispute over fees, you may refer the matter to the Disciplinary Board of the Finnish Bar Association.