Fiona Wakefield is a specialist legal firm practising in the public and health law fields. She has nearly 30 years of experience.
Please contact me directly to discuss the specific needs of your organisation.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS – FOR PARTICIPATING AGENCIES
My commitment to you:
When I work for you, I will do my best to meet your legal needs so that both of us are satisfied with the services provided. Talk to me as I work for you – I want to know how I can best help you with the legal and operational needs of your organisation. I will:
- act competently, promptly, and according to your instructions
- protect and promote your interests without letting my advice be compromised by conflicting influences or loyalties to others
- discuss your file with you and keep you informed about progress on the work
- protect your privacy and confidentiality
- treat you fairly and respectfully
- let you know how to deal with a complaint
These obligations are subject to overriding duties to the Courts and Justice system. If you have any questions, please contact me directly or review the Law Society website www.lawsociety.org.nz (or phone 0800 261 801) for the Rules of Conduct and Client Care for Lawyers.
Who is responsible for your work?
I will conduct your work and deal directly with your organisation.
Privacy and confidentiality
I will treat all information I hold about you as private and confidential. I will not share any information I hold about you, unless:
- you agree, or instruct me to
- I am required to do so by law
- I need to so I can carry out your work
Destruction of Files
Without any further notice to you, I may destroy any files and documents seven years after completion of the individual instruction to which that file relates. I may destroy paper files or documents earlier, if I have an electronic copy of them. I will not, however, destroy any documents that I hold in safe custody for you.
Electronic Communications
I may communicate with you by electronic means. You authorise me to use any email address that you give me to communicate with you about the work I do for you.
Electronic communications can be subject to interference or interception or contain viruses or other defects (“corruption”). I do not accept responsibility and will not be liable for any damage or loss caused in connection with the corruption of an electronic communication.
Complaints
I will respond to any complaint promptly and fairly. If you have a complaint about my services, or just wish to discuss something please call me directly.
If you do not want to take your complaint to me directly, please contact Garry Wakefield, solicitor, by email at garry@walaw.co.nz.
If you cannot resolve your complaint to your satisfaction you may contact the Law Society complaints service.
Please phone 0800 261 801 if you need to make contact with this service.
Lawyers’ Fidelity Fund
The Law Society maintains the Lawyers' Fidelity Fund for the purpose of providing clients of lawyers with protection against loss arising from theft by lawyers. The maximum amount to an individual claimant is limited to $100,000. Except in certain circumstances specified in the Lawyers and Conveyancers Act 2006, the Fidelity Fund does not cover a client for any loss relating to money that a lawyer is instructed to invest on behalf of the client. I do not deal with investment monies..
Limitations on my obligations and Liability and Professional Indemnity Insurance
I hold professional indemnity insurance that exceeds the minimum standards specified by the Law Society. I will provide you with particulars of the minimum standards upon request.
To the extent allowed by law, my liability to you (whether in contract, tort, equity or otherwise) in connection with the services I provide to you is limited to three times the amount of the fee I charge you for that matter.
Ending this engagement
Each specific engagement will end once I have provided the services detailed in the letter of engagement and you have met your payment responsibilities.
You may end my engagement earlier in accordance with the terms of the Agreement.
Subject to the terms of the Agreement, you will remain liable to pay me for work I have completed to date if the engagement is terminated for any reason.
