Lemon Legal Terms and Conditions

Applicability

The private company with limited liability incorporated under Dutch law Lemon Legal B.V. (Lemon Legal) forms part of a partnership of (practice) companies of lawyers trading under the name Sørensen Advocaten, a law firm based in Rotterdam. Lemon Legal is based in The Hague and is registered with the Chamber of Commerce under number 62110691 and VAT number 8546.57.538.

These general terms and conditions apply to all assignments given to Lemon Legal, as well as to all work carried out and to be carried out by Lemon Legal.

Performance of work

Lemon Legal provides its services exclusively for its own account and risk. Towards the client, only Lemon Legal is the contracting party, not the (legal) persons affiliated with Lemon Legal, even if it is intended that an assignment be carried out by a specific (legal) person affiliated with Lemon Legal. The operation of Articles 7:404 and 7:407 paragraph 2 of the Dutch Civil Code is excluded.

(Legal) persons affiliated with Lemon Legal (including its lawyers) are not personally bound or liable. Any liability of (legal) persons (in)directly affiliated with Lemon Legal – including its director(s), shareholder(s), employees, lawyers and their (practice) companies – is excluded.

Persons who are (in)direct shareholders of Lemon Legal may be designated as partner of Sørensen Advocaten and/or of Lemon Legal. They act solely for the account and risk of Lemon Legal.

These general terms and conditions are also stipulated for the benefit of (legal) persons who are (or have been) (in)directly affiliated with Lemon Legal, or who are involved in the services provided by or on behalf of Lemon Legal. They may invoke these terms and conditions.

Lemon Legal advises exclusively on, and from the perspective of, Dutch law. Advice is intended exclusively for the client; third parties may not derive any rights from it.

Fees and invoices

The hourly rate applied by Lemon Legal excludes VAT and costs (such as court fees, bailiff and courier fees and other case-specific expenses, including travel and subsistence costs). Lemon Legal is entitled to review its hourly rate annually, each January.

Unless otherwise agreed, the fee is determined on the basis of time spent (hours multiplied by the hourly rate). Lemon Legal invoices monthly, with a payment term of 14 days. The client has no right of suspension or set-off. Payment in cash is not permitted.

Lemon Legal is always entitled to request an advance. Advances paid may be set off against outstanding invoices.

Engaging third parties

Lemon Legal will engage third parties on the client’s behalf (such as other lawyers, bailiffs, notaries, accountants, translators and other experts) where necessary for handling a matter. Lemon Legal is entitled to accept, on the client’s behalf, the terms under which these third parties work, including limitations of liability and jurisdiction clauses.

Lemon Legal is not liable for errors or shortcomings of these third parties. Costs charged by third parties are passed on to the client.

Limitation of liability

Any liability of Lemon Legal is limited to the amount paid out in the case in question under the (professional) liability insurance taken out by Lemon Legal, plus the applicable excess. A copy of the insurance policy will be provided on first request.

If for any reason no payment is made under the insurance, liability is limited to twice the fee (excluding VAT) received by Lemon Legal for the matter in question in the 12 months preceding the claim, subject to a maximum of €20,000. Lemon Legal is never liable for indirect or consequential damages.

Any claim for damages lapses by the mere expiry of 12 months after the day on which the client became aware of the damage and of Lemon Legal as the liable party.

Other provisions, complaints and identification

The complaints procedure of Sørensen Advocaten applies to services provided by Lemon Legal – ask your lawyer or our office for details.

For some services, Lemon Legal is legally required to identify the client under the Dutch Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorist Financing Act (Wwft). The client must provide all information and documents requested for this purpose.

If a provision of these terms and conditions is void or unenforceable, the remaining provisions remain in force.

Governing law and jurisdiction

The relationship between the client and Lemon Legal is governed by Dutch law. Only the court in Rotterdam has jurisdiction to hear disputes.

When do you need a lawyer?

If you have questions about whether these terms and conditions apply to your assignment with Lemon Legal.

Our approach

Transparent terms; your lawyer points you to the right set at the start of the engagement.