Terms of cooperation
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Basic terms Our advocate office provides legal services in whole territory of the Slovak republic, and in case of requirement also in other European union countries, in accordance with the corresponding legal regulations and the Slovak bar association rules of professional conduct. The cooperation is usually based on a Contract for providing legal services. Everybody has a right to have an advocate and may ask any advocate for providing legal services. The requested advocate may however decline providing legal services, unless he was appointed for legal representation by the court, by other authorized institution or the Slovak bar association. In case of situations specified by law (e.g. in case of conflict of interests, advocate is obliged to decline the provision of legal services.
Fees and remunerationsFor providing legal services, advocate is entitled to receive fee and remunerations, which may be settled by agreement or specified by the regulation no. 655/2004 Coll. on advocate fees and remunerations (odkaz na sekciu dokumenty). The fees may be agreed in the form of:
- hourly rates (based on the number of hours spent to handle the case)
- flat fee (for complete arrangement of a matter or for provision of legal services within certain time period)
- commission (as a percentage of the value of a matter)
- tariff (based on the value of a matter and the amount of legal acts)
When considering the form and amount of fees for provision of legal services, we try to take into account the interests of the client, as well as his financial status. In case of complying with the legal requirements (e.g. according to Act no. 327/2005 Coll.) (–odkaz na sekciu dokumenty) it is possible to provide legal services for a lower fee or even for free. We will provide you with detailed information concerning the financing of legal services in our Advocate office.
Apart from the agreed fee, advocate is entitled to receive compensation of expenses, especially court and other administrative fees, costs of experts statements and legal translations, travel expenses, etc., and a compensation for loss of time.
Advocate is entitled to claim sufficient advance payments, usually when considering the matter value and the expected number of legal acts.
Advocate is liable for any damage caused to the client in connection with practicing his profession. He shall be released from this liability only by proving that he was unable to prevent the damage even despite exerting his best efforts. Each advocate must be insured for the case of liability for damages connected with his profession, where the damage is compensated from the insurance.
Obligation of confidentialityAdvocate is bound by the law to keep all information connected with practicing his profession in confidentiality. Only the client or his legal successor can release him from this obligation. The obligation of confidentiality is valid in relationship to all bodies of state administration, at which the advocate may not give information concerning his client, unless released from the obligation.