Our agreement with you (costs agreement) -
1. Definitions in this document
Disbursements Means any costs or expenses incurred by us in connection with the Work. E.g. property title searches, title registration fees, Supreme Court probate registration fees.
GST Has the meaning given to that term in A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999 (Cth).
Price Means the price specified in our Quote for the Work.
Providers Means our related entities, affiliated organisations, service providers and other agencies, who may be located in Australia or overseas.
Quote Means the package recommendation or quote provided by us to you via email during our dealings.
us, our or we Means Grevillea Law Pty Ltd ACN 627 807 121.
Work Means the work you have requested us to undertake, pursuant to the instruction provided to us during our dealings.
you or your Means the person/s or organisation/s submitting instructions for the Work.
2. Work, Price and Disbursements
2.1 You have engaged us to undertake the Work for the Price.
2.2 You agree to pay the Price and Disbursements for doing the Work.
2.3 You agree that all invoices will be provided to you electronically, expressly request an invoice to be issued in hard copy.
3. Service guarantee
3.1 Our Price is guaranteed in relation to the service provided.
3.2 If at any time you believe the value we provide does not reflect the Price please contact us immediately, so we can agree an adjustment.
4. Disbursements
4.1 We may incur GST-free costs or non GST-free costs as your agent. If requested, we will give you the tax invoice from the relevant supplier.
4.2 To the extent any Disbursements are incurred by us, you agree to pay us the amount we incur on your behalf.
4.3 Where possible, we will raise incurring the expenses with you prior to doing so.
5. Payments
5.1 We will issue you with a tax invoice after substantive completion of the Work.
5.2 If we issue you an unpaid tax invoice, you agree to pay that tax invoice in full within 7 days of the date of issue. We reserve the right to charge interest on overdue accounts at the rate equal to the Cash Rate Target set by the Reserve Bank of Australia
(as at the date on the tax invoice) plus 3.5%.
6. Your rights
6.1 You have the right to:
(a) negotiate this document with us;
(b) receive a bill of costs from us;
(c) request an itemised bill of costs after you receive a lump sum bill from us;
(d) request written reports about the progress of your matter and the costs incurred in your matter;
(e) apply for costs to be assessed within twelve months if you are unhappy with our costs;
(f) apply for this document, or a provision of it, to be set aside;
(g) accept or reject any offer we make for an interstate costs law to apply to your matter;
(h) notify us that you require an interstate costs law to apply to your matter; and
(i) be notified of any substantial change in the matters disclosed in this notice.
6.2 This document provides you with information about our legal services, the cost of those services and your rights. For more information about your rights, please read the fact sheet titled Legal Costs - Your Right to Know. You can ask us for a copy, or
download it from the Queensland Law Society website.
7. Disputes
7.1 The following avenues are open to you under the terms of the Legal Profession Act 2007 (Qld). In the event of a dispute in relation to legal costs:
(a) to apply for a costs assessment within 12 months of delivery of a bill or request for payment or such extended time as may be permitted by the court or costs assessor after considering the reason for the delay; and
(b) to apply to set aside the costs agreement within six years or other times as the law permits.
8. Incorporated status
8.1 We are an incorporated practice and we advise that:
(a) all legal services provided under this document will be provided by an Australian legal practitioner;
(b) the provision of legal services is regulated by the Legal Profession Act 2007 (Qld) however, the provision of non-legal services under this document is not regulated by that legislation; and
(c) the information in this clause is provided to you in relation to all matters that you may instruct us on an ongoing basis.
9. Multiple clients
9.1 When acting for more than one person in doing the Work, we endeavour to act in the best interests of each person.
9.2 If we conclude it is impossible to act in the best interests of each person, we will advise each of you to seek separate advice.
9.3 At our discretion, any instructions we receive from one of you may be taken to be instructions from all of you.
9.4 All persons are jointly and severally responsible for paying the Price and Disbursements.
10. Reliance
10.1 Our advice is given exclusively to you and we are not responsible to anyone else for any loss or damage they suffer as a result of them relying on our advice.
10.2 To the extent permitted by law, you agree that our liability for any loss or damage you suffer as a result of our Work is capped at $10,000,000.
11. Retention of files
11.1 All of our files are stored electronically only, with no physical files maintained.
11.2 You authorise us to:
(a) destroy your file, including electronic records, after 7 years from thecompletion of the Work; and
(b) retain a physical or electronic copy of your file (including any confidential information or intellectual property) if you request the file from us.
11.3 In relation to files transferred to our firm from another firm, we review and scan any physical documents we believe are relevant and then destroy the file.
12. Privacy
12.1 You consent to your email address being added to our email service. We use this service to keep all our clients up-to-date with important information about us (e.g. office closure due to Christmas, public holidays), urgent arrangements required resulting from COVID and to provide you with information that we think may be of interest to you. You can unsubscribe from this service at any time.
12.2 We may collect, use and disclose personal information about you.
12.3 We use and disclose personal information collected about you for the purposes
of doing the Work for you, for internal business purposes and to provide other information that we believe may be of interest to you.
12.4 Your personal information may be provided to our Providers who assist us in providing the Work to you. Some providers are based overseas or use overseas infrastructure (in countries including United States of America, New Zealand, South Africa, India, Hong Kong, Singapore, United Kingdom, Bangladesh, Argentina and
Philippines) to perform services for us.
12.5 Unless you specifically request us not to, if we receive any instructions or information from an intermediary on your behalf (for example, including but not limited to, your accountant, financial adviser or risk adviser), we may provide your personal information to that intermediary as your agent.
12.6 You (and any client who you represent) consent to the appointment of Grevillea Law Pty Ltd and its Providers to act as agent in relation to any company registration process we are instructed to assist with, including the correction of any errors.
12.7 Unless you specifically request us not to, you should assume that all telephone calls, virtual meetings and any in person meetings will be recorded as a digital file and often transcribed into a Word document for quality, compliance and training
purposes.
13. Termination
13.1 You may terminate this document at any time by giving written notice to us, however you remain liable for the Price and Disbursements incurred up until that time, as determined by us acting reasonably.
13.2 If you do not pay monies in accordance with this document, we may suspend work and cease acting for you.
13.3 We may terminate this document by giving at least 7 days’ written notice to you for any reason.
13.4 We may retain possession of your file until all outstanding payments of the Price and Disbursements have been paid.
14. Questions or concerns
14.1 If you have any concerns with the performance of the Work or wish to discuss legal costs, please contact Grevillea Law Pty Ltd director Nicola Grummitt (Nicky) on 0418 758 311.
14.2 If you are still not satisfied with the way your concern has been resolved, you may contact our business manager Ginny Hoffmann via email ginny@glaw.com.au.
15. General
15.1 The law of Queensland will apply to this document.
15.2 You have the right to enter into a costs agreement with us on the basis that a similar law of another state or territory is applicable, for instance where our services are being primarily provided in another state or territory or where the matter has a
substantial connection with that other state or territory.
15.3 Further you have the right in certain circumstances to notify us in writing in accordance with the time limits of the corresponding law that you require the law of another jurisdiction to apply.
1. Definitions in this document
Disbursements Means any costs or expenses incurred by us in connection with the Work. E.g. property title searches, title registration fees, Supreme Court probate registration fees.
GST Has the meaning given to that term in A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999 (Cth).
Price Means the price specified in our Quote for the Work.
Providers Means our related entities, affiliated organisations, service providers and other agencies, who may be located in Australia or overseas.
Quote Means the package recommendation or quote provided by us to you via email during our dealings.
us, our or we Means Grevillea Law Pty Ltd ACN 627 807 121.
Work Means the work you have requested us to undertake, pursuant to the instruction provided to us during our dealings.
you or your Means the person/s or organisation/s submitting instructions for the Work.
2. Work, Price and Disbursements
2.1 You have engaged us to undertake the Work for the Price.
2.2 You agree to pay the Price and Disbursements for doing the Work.
2.3 You agree that all invoices will be provided to you electronically, expressly request an invoice to be issued in hard copy.
3. Service guarantee
3.1 Our Price is guaranteed in relation to the service provided.
3.2 If at any time you believe the value we provide does not reflect the Price please contact us immediately, so we can agree an adjustment.
4. Disbursements
4.1 We may incur GST-free costs or non GST-free costs as your agent. If requested, we will give you the tax invoice from the relevant supplier.
4.2 To the extent any Disbursements are incurred by us, you agree to pay us the amount we incur on your behalf.
4.3 Where possible, we will raise incurring the expenses with you prior to doing so.
5. Payments
5.1 We will issue you with a tax invoice after substantive completion of the Work.
5.2 If we issue you an unpaid tax invoice, you agree to pay that tax invoice in full within 7 days of the date of issue. We reserve the right to charge interest on overdue accounts at the rate equal to the Cash Rate Target set by the Reserve Bank of Australia
(as at the date on the tax invoice) plus 3.5%.
6. Your rights
6.1 You have the right to:
(a) negotiate this document with us;
(b) receive a bill of costs from us;
(c) request an itemised bill of costs after you receive a lump sum bill from us;
(d) request written reports about the progress of your matter and the costs incurred in your matter;
(e) apply for costs to be assessed within twelve months if you are unhappy with our costs;
(f) apply for this document, or a provision of it, to be set aside;
(g) accept or reject any offer we make for an interstate costs law to apply to your matter;
(h) notify us that you require an interstate costs law to apply to your matter; and
(i) be notified of any substantial change in the matters disclosed in this notice.
6.2 This document provides you with information about our legal services, the cost of those services and your rights. For more information about your rights, please read the fact sheet titled Legal Costs - Your Right to Know. You can ask us for a copy, or
download it from the Queensland Law Society website.
7. Disputes
7.1 The following avenues are open to you under the terms of the Legal Profession Act 2007 (Qld). In the event of a dispute in relation to legal costs:
(a) to apply for a costs assessment within 12 months of delivery of a bill or request for payment or such extended time as may be permitted by the court or costs assessor after considering the reason for the delay; and
(b) to apply to set aside the costs agreement within six years or other times as the law permits.
8. Incorporated status
8.1 We are an incorporated practice and we advise that:
(a) all legal services provided under this document will be provided by an Australian legal practitioner;
(b) the provision of legal services is regulated by the Legal Profession Act 2007 (Qld) however, the provision of non-legal services under this document is not regulated by that legislation; and
(c) the information in this clause is provided to you in relation to all matters that you may instruct us on an ongoing basis.
9. Multiple clients
9.1 When acting for more than one person in doing the Work, we endeavour to act in the best interests of each person.
9.2 If we conclude it is impossible to act in the best interests of each person, we will advise each of you to seek separate advice.
9.3 At our discretion, any instructions we receive from one of you may be taken to be instructions from all of you.
9.4 All persons are jointly and severally responsible for paying the Price and Disbursements.
10. Reliance
10.1 Our advice is given exclusively to you and we are not responsible to anyone else for any loss or damage they suffer as a result of them relying on our advice.
10.2 To the extent permitted by law, you agree that our liability for any loss or damage you suffer as a result of our Work is capped at $10,000,000.
11. Retention of files
11.1 All of our files are stored electronically only, with no physical files maintained.
11.2 You authorise us to:
(a) destroy your file, including electronic records, after 7 years from thecompletion of the Work; and
(b) retain a physical or electronic copy of your file (including any confidential information or intellectual property) if you request the file from us.
11.3 In relation to files transferred to our firm from another firm, we review and scan any physical documents we believe are relevant and then destroy the file.
12. Privacy
12.1 You consent to your email address being added to our email service. We use this service to keep all our clients up-to-date with important information about us (e.g. office closure due to Christmas, public holidays), urgent arrangements required resulting from COVID and to provide you with information that we think may be of interest to you. You can unsubscribe from this service at any time.
12.2 We may collect, use and disclose personal information about you.
12.3 We use and disclose personal information collected about you for the purposes
of doing the Work for you, for internal business purposes and to provide other information that we believe may be of interest to you.
12.4 Your personal information may be provided to our Providers who assist us in providing the Work to you. Some providers are based overseas or use overseas infrastructure (in countries including United States of America, New Zealand, South Africa, India, Hong Kong, Singapore, United Kingdom, Bangladesh, Argentina and
Philippines) to perform services for us.
12.5 Unless you specifically request us not to, if we receive any instructions or information from an intermediary on your behalf (for example, including but not limited to, your accountant, financial adviser or risk adviser), we may provide your personal information to that intermediary as your agent.
12.6 You (and any client who you represent) consent to the appointment of Grevillea Law Pty Ltd and its Providers to act as agent in relation to any company registration process we are instructed to assist with, including the correction of any errors.
12.7 Unless you specifically request us not to, you should assume that all telephone calls, virtual meetings and any in person meetings will be recorded as a digital file and often transcribed into a Word document for quality, compliance and training
purposes.
13. Termination
13.1 You may terminate this document at any time by giving written notice to us, however you remain liable for the Price and Disbursements incurred up until that time, as determined by us acting reasonably.
13.2 If you do not pay monies in accordance with this document, we may suspend work and cease acting for you.
13.3 We may terminate this document by giving at least 7 days’ written notice to you for any reason.
13.4 We may retain possession of your file until all outstanding payments of the Price and Disbursements have been paid.
14. Questions or concerns
14.1 If you have any concerns with the performance of the Work or wish to discuss legal costs, please contact Grevillea Law Pty Ltd director Nicola Grummitt (Nicky) on 0418 758 311.
14.2 If you are still not satisfied with the way your concern has been resolved, you may contact our business manager Ginny Hoffmann via email ginny@glaw.com.au.
15. General
15.1 The law of Queensland will apply to this document.
15.2 You have the right to enter into a costs agreement with us on the basis that a similar law of another state or territory is applicable, for instance where our services are being primarily provided in another state or territory or where the matter has a
substantial connection with that other state or territory.
15.3 Further you have the right in certain circumstances to notify us in writing in accordance with the time limits of the corresponding law that you require the law of another jurisdiction to apply.
#Radbosslady, QLD
Nicky and Julia are all-stars.
You can expect a values driven and sincere approach from G.Law, that and they run a tight ship so everything will happen just as it should in your estate planning matter!
G.Law is the place to go for future focussed but time poor people who want peace of mind in their estate planning but just want someone to hand it all over to.
I've worked with some awesome people.
#Radbosslady, QLD
"Nicky makes what can be a complicated process, hassle free and easy to understand."
We love our clients
#RADBOSSLADY, NSW
"We loved working with Nicky. Her clear process and communication made what was a rather complicated matter an absolute breeze."
It's not hard to see why...
#Radbosslady, NSW
#RADBOSSLADY, QLD
"I ALWAYS recommend Nicky when someone asks me about getting their will done. Her advice is straight forward and clear, and you feel supported the whole way through the process."
Now we're just blushing...
#Radbosslady, QLD
kind words
Nic has been collecting will skillz since 2007. She worked her way up the ladder of a large Brisbane firm in their wills, estates and trusts team. When she moved back out west, she joined a law firm in Goondiwindi before starting G.Law.
Nic is obsessed with all things business, podcasts and regional Australia. When she's not at G.Law HQ, she runs another business [G.Fence] with her husband Ed. So she not only knows wills, but she can read a balance sheet – and understands tax and super law. HANDY FOR WILLS!
What makes Nic smile the most "days spent meeting people, hearing their stories and helping them make tough decisions. That, or in my garden, with the sun on my face and three monkeys playing together, their laughter tinkling in my ears."
