General Terms and Conditions | Advocatenkantoor

Form and purpose of the firm. Law Firm Geukens-Jennen-Wouters is a civil partnership with the purpose of practicing the profession of lawyer. The firm is registered with the Belgian Companies Register [Kruispuntbank Ondernemingen] under the number 0824.670.145.
Area of application. The general terms and conditions apply to the services provided by the partners, employees and staff of Law Firm Geukens-Jennen-Wouters.
Information provided. The client undertakes to provide all the data and information, supported by documents where appropriate. The client is responsible for the correctness, completeness and reliability of the information provided by or on behalf of him.
Liability and insurance. The liability of Law Firm Geukens-Jennen-Wouters, its partners and employees is limited to the amount of its endorsed professional insurance policy and within the limits of the coverage.
The insured amount is currently EUR 1,250,000.00 for each claim.
At the express request of the client, and always in consultation with one of the firm’s partners, an insurance policy for a higher amount can be taken out for a specific case, provided the additional premium is paid.
The policy with Ethias endorsed by the Bar Association will be presented for inspection on request.
The client considers the insurance of Law Firm Geukens-Jennen-Wouters to be sufficient and accepts that the compensation for the damage he suffers as a result of a professional error by the lawyer is limited to the amount for which the lawyer is insured. This limitation does not apply in cases of intention or gross negligence of the lawyer.
If the professional liability insurer does not cover the damage, without Law Firm Geukens-Jennen-Wouters having an error in this, the indemnification on the grounds of a professional error by the lawyer is limited to the principal, and costs plus interest up to an amount of EUR 25,000.
Intervention of third parties. Law Firm Geukens-Jennen-Wouters can call in third parties with a view to the performance of services at the expense of the client.
Unless expressly agreed otherwise, Law Firm Geukens-Jennen-Wouters is also not liable for the services provided by third parties that it has called in.
The client therefore indemnifies Law Firm Geukens-Jennen-Wouters against any claims by third parties that would result from the work entrusted by the client to the firm, unless such a claim is the result of an error by Law Firm Geukens-Jennen-Wouters.
Prevention of money laundering legislation. Law Firm Geukens-Jennen-Wouters is subject to the Act of 11 January 1993 to prevent the use of the financial system for the laundering of money and the financing of terrorism. Pursuant to this legislation, Law Firm Geukens-Jennen-Woutersis obliged to identify its clients and to request and retain a number of documents confirming their identity.
If facts are established from which the firm knows or suspects that these are related to money laundering or terrorism, in compliance with this legislation the information must be submitted to the President of the Bar Association Council. The latter decides whether or not the information received will be reported to the Belgian Financial Intelligence Processing Unit.
Payment details. The provision invoices and the costs and fee statements are payable within 14 days from the date of these invoices and statements.
If the client does not agree with the amount of these invoices and statements, he must protest against these in writing within 14 days, failing which they will be deemed as accepted irrevocably.
Statutory interest will be payable with effect from the due date legally and without notice of default. There is also a fixed rate compensation payable equal to 10% of the principal amount.
The third-party account. Law Firm Geukens-Jennen-Wouters transfers all amounts that it receives for the client to the client within the shortest possible time. If the lawyer can not immediately transfer an amount, he notifies the client of the receipt of the amount and informs the client of the reason why the amount has not been transferred.
Law Firm Geukens-Jennen-Wouters can withhold sums from the amounts it receives on behalf of the client to cover the outstanding advances or statements of costs and fees. It informs the client of this in writing. This provision does not prejudice the right of the client to dispute the fee statements and claim payment of these withheld amounts.
Termination. The client and the partners of Law Firm Geukens-Jennen-Wouters can terminate the agreement/their cooperation at any time and without compensation, and do this without prejudice to the obligation of the client to reimburse the firm for services performed and costs incurred.
The termination by the partners of Law Firm Geukens-Jennen-Wouters cannot happen outside good time and must not compromise the interests of the client, provided that the client has no outstanding payable provision invoices or costs and fee statements.
At first request, Law Firm Geukens-Jennen-Wouters will return the documents from the file.
Regulation of disputes. In the event of any dispute between client and lawyer, only the regulations of the Bar Association and the Belgian law are applicable.
Only the courts of the judicial district of Turnhout have jurisdiction.