Our ref: RRR
[Date]
Name of RRR law firm
[Address]
[SUBURB STATE POST CODE]
Dear [Greeting Name]
Pro Bono cooperation between [name of RRR law firm] and [name of city law firm]
We confirm [name of city law firm]is happy to work with you to enhance the provision of pro bono assistance to clients in the[insert region] region.
[name of city law firm] will assist initially in the following ways:
1.By providing [name of RRR law firm]with support to conduct your own pro bono matters. In these circumstances;
- we will enter into appropriate terms of engagement with [NAME OF RRR LAW FIRM] as our client; and
- [NAME OF RRR LAW FIRM] will be acting separately in the matter for a local client.
2.By acting on a pro bono basis for clients who [NAME OF RRR LAW FIRM] chooses to refer to [name of city law firm].In these circumstances, we will enter into appropriate terms of engagement with the referred client, and [NAME OF RRR LAW FIRM] will not acting for the referred client.
As our pro bono cooperation relationship develops, we will consider other requests and ideas which you may have for assistance.
[Insert name # 1] is the partner who has overall responsibility for this cooperation arrangement. [INSERT NAME # 2] is the lawyer who will have day-to-day responsibility for the pro bono cooperation relationship and will be your key contact.
This letter sets out some guidelines about the nature of the pro bono cooperation relationship between [name of city law firm] and [name of RRR law firm]. These guidelines are not legally binding on either firm and are not intended to create an enforceable agreement or contract or joint venture between us.
1.Our legal services
1.1There is no guarantee that we will be able to assist with all pro bono matters under this cooperation arrangement. [name of city law firm] will consider each request for assistance on a case by case basis.
1.2We will only provide pro bono assistance for matters which are consistent with the [name of city law firm] Pro Bono Policy (attached).
1.3Any assistance provided will be subject to the availability of lawyers with the appropriate expertise to assist with each request, and there being no conflict of interest in [name of city law firm] accepting instructions.
1.4When we act for either [name of RRR law firm] or for a client referred to us by you, [name of city law firm] will enter into terms of engagement for each particular legal matter.
1.5All requests for assistance should be made by email or telephone by [name of RRR law firm]to [INSERT NAME # 2]. When [INSERT NAME # 2] is unavailable, please contact [INSERT NAME # 1]. [NAME OF CITY LAW FIRM]will let you know within 5 days whether we are able to assist with a particular request.
2.How we calculate what we charge in pro bono matters
2.1Pro bono clients that are assisted by us will not have to pay us for any of the professional work done by our lawyers on pro bono matters, except in circumstances where:
(a)a Court or other tribunal or statutory scheme orders another party to pay our client's legal costs;
(b)the case is settled, and part of the settlement includes payment of our client's legal costs; or
(c)some other person becomes liable for or agrees to pay our professional fees.
In these circumstances, we will not ask our client to pay any more under our bill than the amount recovered for legal costs.
2.2A pro bono client may need to pay for their own disbursements in a matter.
3.Copyright and ownership of documents
3.1Copyright in documents and advice prepared by us remains the property of [name of city law firm].
4.Confidentiality and privacy
4.1We will treat the instructions and any information which you give to us as confidential within the partners and staff of [name of city law firm].
4.2The Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) applies when we collect, use and disclose information about an individual (personal information).
5.Termination
5.1This pro bono cooperation relationship may be terminated by either party at any time in writing.
These are simply initial guidelines, and we are happy to review them with you in 12 months or at any earlier time, to evaluate how they can be improved.
In the meantime, if you have any questions in relation to this letter, please let us know. We really look forward to working with [name of RRR law firm].
Yours sincerely
[INSERT NAME # 1], Partner[Telephone number]
[email address] / [INSERT NAME # 2], Lawyer
[Telephone number]
[email address]
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