Terms of Engagement
These are the general terms on which Consensus Law Limited accepts instructions. Detailed terms specific to each matter are set out in the client care letter you receive when you instruct us.
1. Who we are
Consensus Law Limited is a company registered in England and Wales (company number 16096696) with its registered office at Solar House, 915 High Road, London N12 8QJ. Consensus Law Limited is authorised and regulated by the Bar Standards Board (BSB entity reference number 193596) with effect from 23 December 2025, and is authorised to conduct litigation. The sole director and Head of Legal Practice is Matei Clej, a practising barrister of England and Wales (Bar Council registration number 69184), authorised under the Public Access scheme.
2. The basis on which we accept instructions
We accept instructions in writing, subject to our being free of professional conflicts and able to perform the work. A client care letter is issued setting out the scope of work, fees and any other terms specific to the matter. These terms apply together with the client care letter; in the event of conflict, the client care letter prevails. Work begins only after the client care letter has been signed and any required payment in advance has been received.
3. Scope of work
The scope of work is defined in the client care letter. We do not undertake work outside that scope without your specific instructions and our agreement, which may be subject to additional fees.
4. Public Access and instructing a solicitor
Mr Clej is authorised under the Public Access scheme to accept instructions direct from members of the public. Consensus Law Limited is authorised to conduct litigation in its own name. There are circumstances in which it may be in your interest to instruct a solicitor; where so, we will tell you and may work alongside the solicitor of your choice.
5. Fees, disbursements and VAT
Our default fee basis is a fixed fee, set out in the client care letter. Fees are payable in full in advance. Where Consensus Law Limited has authority to conduct litigation and a matter incurs disbursements (court fees, expert fees, translation fees), these will be discussed and funds will be required in advance. Consensus Law Limited is not registered for VAT; no VAT is charged on fees. If on completion the time and complexity involved are substantially less than anticipated, we may at our discretion refund part of the fee.
6. Your statutory right to cancel (consumer clients)
Where you are a consumer and the contract is concluded at a distance or off-premises, you have a statutory right under the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013 to cancel within fourteen days without giving any reason. The client care letter explains how to exercise that right. If you ask us to begin work within the cancellation period, you may lose the right to cancel once work is fully performed, and you will be liable for work performed up to the point of cancellation.
7. Confidentiality
We will treat all information you give us as confidential and will not disclose it to any third party except with your consent, where required by law or court order, where necessary to investigate or defend a complaint or deal with our regulators or insurers, or where the information is already in the public domain.
8. Conflict checks
We undertake reasonable enquiries before accepting instructions to ensure there is no professional conflict. If a conflict arises during a matter we will discuss it with you and may need to cease acting.
9. Anti-money-laundering and source of funds
Where the services we provide fall within the Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017, we are obliged to carry out customer due diligence including identification checks and may ask for information about the source of funds. We may also be required, in limited circumstances, to make disclosures to the National Crime Agency under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 or the Terrorism Act 2000, and may be prohibited from telling you that such a disclosure has been made.
10. When we may stop acting
We may cease to act on reasonable notice if it becomes in your interest to instruct a solicitor; if a conflict or risk of conflict arises; if we cannot obtain proper instructions; if you do not pay our fees in accordance with the client care letter; if we are required to cease acting under our professional obligations; or if there is another substantial reason.
11. Your right to terminate
You may terminate our engagement at any time by giving us notice in writing. You will be liable for fees and disbursements relating to work performed up to the date of termination. We will refund any balance of fees paid in advance that relates to work not yet performed.
12. Lien on documents
We have a right to retain any documents and files in our possession until all fees and disbursements due to us are paid in full. This right does not apply to documents required to avoid imminent prejudice to your position.
13. Professional indemnity insurance
Consensus Law Limited holds professional indemnity insurance that complies with the minimum terms of cover required by the Bar Standards Board under Part 2.C5 rC76 of the BSB Handbook. Details of our insurer and the territorial coverage of the policy are available on request.
14. Limitation of liability
Our liability is limited to the level of cover provided by our professional indemnity insurance in respect of the relevant claim. Nothing in these terms excludes or limits our liability for death or personal injury caused by our negligence, for fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation, or for any other liability that cannot be excluded or limited by law. We are not liable for any outcome or decision of any court, tribunal or other body.
15. Data protection
Information about how we collect, use and protect personal data is set out in our Privacy Notice.
16. Equality and non-discrimination
Consensus Law Limited is committed to equality of opportunity and non-discrimination. We do not discriminate on grounds of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation. If you have specific access or communication needs, please tell us.
17. Complaints
Our complaints procedure is available here. If we cannot resolve a complaint to your satisfaction, you may refer the matter to the Legal Ombudsman or, in cases involving professional misconduct, to the Bar Standards Board.
18. Third-party rights
A person who is not a party to the engagement has no right under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 to enforce any term.
19. Governing law and jurisdiction
These terms and any engagement on this basis are governed by the law of England and Wales. The courts of England and Wales have exclusive jurisdiction.