Attorney: Saelese Haynes

Dear Client,

I thank you for selecting me to represent you in this matter and confirm my commitment to treating with your matter in a timely and professional manner.  I also wish to set forth our agreement as to our arrangement and as to payment of my fees as estimated below. Kindly note that my fees for legal services do not include any expenses that may be incurred such as filing fees, affidavits, photocopies, postage and related expenses, which will be payable as disbursements. Please note also that unless fees are agreed to be fixed, fees are an estimate and may be subject to change in either direction, depending on the amount of work required to complete a particular matter.

If you have not already done so, kindly complete our standard Client Intake Form and return a copy to us.

I will provide you with regular statements of fees, costs, and expenses where requested.  You will be responsible for paying fees, costs, and expenses in excess of funds held by us. Payment must be made within thirty (30) days from the date of an invoice, unless otherwise indicated on the face of the invoice.

Please retain copies of all documents that I send out to you and have access to your copies of correspondence and documents to all of our meetings, whether virtual or in-person.

Your matter matters to us!

On behalf of Titan Chambers, we are happy to represent you in this matter and are excited to work towards a positive and prompt outcome in your favour. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

CLIENT INSTRUCTION SHEET

Confidential information provided by you is intended for the use of your Counsel and is protected by Attorney-Client privilege. 

SCOPE OF INSTRUCTIONS

Our work on your behalf is limited to the legal issue(s) for which we are retained and does not ex­tend to additional matters. If other legal issues come up for you, we would be happy to help where we can, but we will need to enter into a separate Client Agreement with you for additional services.

OUR TEAM AND PRACTICE REQUIREMENTS

At Titan Chambers, you have a dedicated Legal Team assigned to your case. By hiring us, you acknowledge that the Legal Team will include Attorney/s and support staff working with you and you authorise us to represent you to the extent of the Scope of Instructions.

We endeavor to keep you reason­ably and promptly apprised of applicable information during our representation, and ask that you commit to the same. Please regularly read and respond to emails or messages from us.

Where we ask you to send documents to us electronically, they must be sent in .pdf format. Please do not take pictures and upload the pictures to us unless we advise you otherwise – we usually need scanned pdfs for optimal quality.

We cannot and do not make guarantees of any outcomes in representation. Our legal opinions are based upon our experience and understanding of the circumstanc­es in your case. Opinions are not promises, guarantees, or representations as to the out­come of any matter.

COMMUNICATION

Email is usually the best way to reach us – This allows our Attorneys uninterrupted time to work on cases and attend meetings outside the office as needed. Emails will be reviewed and addressed within a reasonable timeframe based on the circumstances. Generally, you can expect a call or email back within 72 business hours (often sooner). Emails, messages and voicemails received outside business hours or on holidays will be addressed during regular business hours.

Our Attorneys do not accept unscheduled phone calls. To honour everyone’s busy schedules, any conversation that needs more than 10 minutes will be scheduled for an Attorney meeting. Meetings can be conducted via telephone, the web, or in person, based on the circumstances of the conversation and our mutual needs.  As a valued client of this Chambers making an appointment saves you time, avoids us playing “phone tag”, gets your prompt attention, and allows me to better serve you by preparing for the phone call. Phone calls can be scheduled by emailing 19dundonaldstreet@gmail.com and are billed in ten minute segments.

We find that we are most productive when we are able to work on our cases without interruptions.  Both scheduled and unscheduled phone calls will be billed per the Fee Schedule. If you have a simple query or require an update, you can send us an email. We do not bill for providing feedback or updates emails. This policy allows us to provide quality legal services at fair fees.

Our Attorneys do not accept unscheduled visits. Meetings and follow up consultations can be booked through our office 19dundonaldstreet@gmail.com or (868) 610-1LAW [1529].

FEES

My hourly rate is TT $1,500/ hour for Instructing or Advocate Work in Court. Calls and Emails are billed in 10 minute increments. You can contact us at any time for a fee update or estimate on your matter. If you require a statement of charges (Legal Fees and/or expenses), please feel free to request this in writing and we will provide a statement to you within fourteen (14) days.

Deposits and/or Retainers are subject to a mandatory brief fee of TT $5,000.00 covering preparatory work for the matter.

Professional fees and other expenses will be deducted from the Retainer based on hours worked on your matter. I will give you thirty (30) days’ notice of required replenishment if/where appropriate.

Any monies received from you in excess of monies owed to us can either be held on account or returned to you (if applicable) upon giving twenty (20) days’ notice.

Where we work with other professionals, including other Attorneys-at-Law or Experts, you are responsible for covering their fees in advance of our contacting them unless we agree to alternate arrangements.

Settlement Cheques will be made payable to “Titan Chambers” and any sums owed to us as invoiced will be deducted therefrom with the balance payable to you by cheque or bank transfer.

Notes:

*Payment can be made in cash or by certified cheque in person at our Main Office at #19 Dundonald Street, Port-of-Spain or deposited to First Citizens Bank account #2542047 in the name ‘Titan Chambers’. If you would like additional payment options, please contact us.

* There is a TT $5,000.00 Brief Fee that is deducted from the Retainer and/or any Fixed Fee that is agreed and is non-refundable. This Brief Fee Fee is earned when invoiced or when paid (whichever comes sooner) and covers the receipt of instructions, perusal of documents and initial advice on the way forward. No work will be commenced unless at least 50% of the Retainer is paid in advance and you complete a Salary Deduction or approved payment plan respective to the balance.

If you do not pay your bill, we have the right to terminate our representation of you and withdraw from your case. Late payments of invoices may (in our discretion) be subject to interest charges at the rate of twelve (12) percent per annum. We can also exercise options for collections, including litigation or referral to third party agencies.

Even if someone pays your legal fees for you, our duty is to you as the Client and you alone. We will not discuss your case or billing with anyone else without your permission. Another party paying for your fees under this Agreement does not negate attorney-client privilege, change our confidentiality practices, or affect our duties to you.

In litigation, a Court may order the oppos­ing party to pay some of your Attorney’s fees and expenses. If this happens, we will apply any fees received to your account, but the Court’s award of Attorney’s fees does not change or limit our fees as agreed and outlined.

Should you opt to terminate services before work for you is complete, we will calculate your fees on an hourly basis for time expended on your behalf at the rates indicated herein.

We may also terminate your representation and withdraw as your Counsel if, inter alia (among other things):

• You have misrepresented or failed to disclose material facts to us;
• If you do not pay Invoices on time;
• If you fail to follow our advice;
• If you insist that we do something illegal, unethical or morally repugnant in handling the case;
• If you do not answer our phone calls, letters or e-mails;
• If you are not co-operative with us;
• If you are untruthful under oath;
• If you enter into a settlement agreement, either written or oral, and refuse to honour it;
• If you are verbally abusive or display inappropriate behaviour towards our personnel; or
• for other good and valid reasons in law.

You will be responsible for any fees and costs incurred prior to the official withdrawal or discharge, including time and expense involved in turning over the file(s) and other information to you or to your new attorney.  In litigation matter, an official discharge means an order granting Withdrawal signed by a Judge. 

After your representation has con­cluded and upon payment of all fees due and owed, we will, upon request, make available all paperwork in your file. Photocopying fees may be applicable.

At any time you can feel free to share your experience with us here: