Following an initial meeting or at least a telephone conversation, to begin work we need to formalise our retainer by obtaining from clients their express acceptance of the terms under which we propose to assist them. These terms have to meet requirements on data protection and money laundering legislation.

With potential clients we aim at setting out clearly and in writing the criteria we would use in time keeping and in recording our services on confirmation of their instructions. Our policy is also to discuss costs from the outset and to explain the basis of our fees' calculation. On request we are prepared to consider fixing a ceiling to our costs whenever reasonable and permitted by the nature of the matter to be dealt with.

As work progresses we continue to monitor our costs and keep our clients regularly updated about the level reached by our fees so that they are almost inevitably in a position to give us instructions on an informed cost effective basis.