General Terms and Conditions for Legal and Consulting Services
These General Terms and Conditions for Legal Services are an integral part of the agreement (Client Contract) between GSC INTERNATIONAL Attorneys & Counsellors (the Firm) and the client (the Client). They govern the provision of legal services by the Firm unless otherwise agreed. In case of any conflict between these Terms and Conditions and the Client Contract, the latter shall prevail.
- Terms of Legal Service Provision
1.1 The Firm provides the Client with legal services, including professional legal counsel, representation in court or pre-trial procedures, document preparation, and other legal actions in the Client’s interest.
1.2 The Firm’s attorneys aim to maximize the legal protection of the Client’s interests, ensuring legal clarity and certainty, and are guided by law and professional ethics.
1.3 Intellectual property rights created during the provision of legal services belong to the Firm. The Firm grants the Client a non-exclusive, worldwide license to use the created documents as necessary.
1.4 The Firm ensures high-quality legal service and is liable only for direct financial damages caused by intentional acts or gross negligence in performing the Client Contract.
1.5 The Firm’s attorneys apply due diligence in compliance with applicable anti-money laundering laws and Bar Association guidelines.
- Authorization
2.1 The Firm is authorized to act on the Client’s behalf upon the conclusion of the Client Contract, which can be formalized either in writing or by clear mutual agreement.
2.2 If an attorney needs to be replaced, the Firm will appoint a substitute attorney, with the Client having the right to request a different attorney.
2.3 Assistants to attorneys work under the supervision of their respective team leaders.
2.4 The Firm will not engage in transactions designed to obscure beneficiaries or evade legal obligations.
2.5 The Firm processes personal data related to the Client’s assignment in accordance with its Privacy Policy.
2.6 The Firm will verify the Client’s identity at the first meeting.
- Fees and Costs
3.1 Legal fees are specified in the Client Contract and may be based on hourly rates, fixed fees, or a combination.
3.2 The agreed hourly rate is valid for one year, after which it is subject to renegotiation in good faith.
3.3 Work outside regular business hours is subject to a 1.5x rate, while administrative tasks are charged at 0.6x the hourly rate.
3.4 The Firm tracks time in five-minute increments for billing purposes.
3.5 The Client reimburses necessary expenses related to the assignment, such as state fees, translation costs, and travel expenses. Receipts are provided upon request.
3.6 Invoices are typically issued monthly, with payment due within 8 days unless otherwise agreed.
3.7 Late payments incur a penalty of 0.25% per day, and the Firm may suspend services or report the debt to relevant databases.
- Confidentiality
4.1 Client communications are confidential, and the Firm maintains this confidentiality indefinitely.
4.2 Confidentiality applies to all employees of the Firm and is upheld according to professional ethics.
4.3 Disclosure is permitted only when required by law or authorized by the Client.
4.4 The Firm takes reasonable steps to ensure the confidentiality of electronic communications, though full security cannot be guaranteed.
- Documentation and Information
5.1 The Firm is not responsible for verifying the accuracy of information provided by the Client.
5.2 During the assignment, the Firm retains all documents related to the Client’s case, whether received from the Client or third parties.
5.3 Documents may be stored electronically, except for originals, which will be maintained in paper form.
5.4 The Firm may withhold documents until all fees and costs have been paid.
5.5 After the assignment ends, the Client is responsible for retrieving their documents.
5.6 Documents are stored for six months post-assignment, after which they may be destroyed or archived, with the Client responsible for any storage fees.
- Termination and Governing Law
6.1 The Firm reserves the right to amend these General Terms and Conditions, with the latest version available on the Firm’s website.
6.2 Upon termination of the Client Contract, the Firm will act to avoid harming the Client’s interests.
6.3 The Client may terminate the contract at any time with notice to the Firm.
6.4 The Firm may terminate the contract under circumstances such as conflicts of interest, legal or ethical violations, or failure to comply with due diligence requirements.
6.5 The contract is governed by the laws of the country where services are provided. Disputes will be resolved through negotiation or, failing that, by the local courts.