direct counsel - terms & conditions

1. Nature of the Session

Direct Counsel sessions are thirty-minute consultations designed to provide focused, practical legal guidance on a specific issue. The session is intended to help you understand key considerations, risks, and next steps relevant to your circumstances — not to replace a full legal engagement.

2. Scope

Each session is limited to discussion and guidance during the consultation. Unless otherwise agreed in writing, the session does not include a comprehensive legal review, written advice, formal amendments, or drafting. The scope is limited to the specific session type you have booked, as set out below. Where your matter requires more detailed work, we will let you know and discuss what a further engagement would involve.

2A. Session-Specific Scope

Contract Clarity

This session covers a guided walkthrough of one residential property contract of sale. During the session we will discuss key provisions, conditions, and timelines, identify potential risks and practical considerations, and address your specific questions. The session does not include a comprehensive legal review, written advice, or amendments to the contract.

Property Purchase Guidance

This session provides strategic guidance in relation to a property purchase, including the purchase process, offer strategy, and key decision points. Where you are ready to make an offer, we can work through that together during the session. The session does not include review of a contract of sale or drafting beyond the offer.

Estate Planning Direction

This session provides strategic guidance on estate planning options and structure, including wills, testamentary trusts, powers of attorney, medical treatment decision makers, and superannuation binding death benefit nominations. During the session we will discuss your objectives and circumstances, explore your options, and outline practical next steps. The session does not include preparation of legal documents or detailed written advice.

3. Preparation

To make the most of your session, please provide any relevant documents in advance where possible. Documents are not reviewed prior to the session unless otherwise agreed. The session will proceed based on the information available at the time, and you should ensure all relevant information is disclosed.

4. Fees and Payment

The fee for a Direct Counsel session is $265 + GST. Payment must be made in advance to secure your booking and is held in the firm's trust account. Your booking is not confirmed until payment is received. A formal invoice will be issued following the session and funds applied in accordance with trust accounting requirements. Any fees or surcharges imposed by the payment processing provider will be passed on to you.

5. Cancellations and Rescheduling

You may reschedule your session with at least 24 hours notice. Requests within 24 hours may not be accommodated. If you are more than ten minutes late to your session, the session may be cancelled at our discretion and 50% of the session fee will be forfeited. A new booking will be required to proceed. This reflects the time reserved exclusively for your session.

6. Time

Sessions are limited to thirty minutes. If additional time is required, a further session or separate engagement may be recommended.

7. Limited Engagement

By booking a Direct Counsel session, you instruct us to act in a limited capacity confined to the scope of the session selected. This includes opening a matter file using the details you have provided for the purposes of conducting the session and meeting our professional and regulatory obligations. A Direct Counsel session does not create an ongoing solicitor-client relationship. Any further work requires a separate engagement.

8. Credit Toward an Ongoing Engagement

If, within 14 days of your session, you engage us for an ongoing matter, your session fee may be applied toward that engagement at our discretion. Please ask us about this at the time of engaging.

9. Recording

Sessions are recorded for note-taking and file management purposes. By booking a Direct Counsel session, you acknowledge and agree that the session will be recorded. Recordings are held confidentially and are not shared outside the firm.

10. Confidentiality

All information shared during the session will be treated as confidential in accordance with our professional obligations.

11. Limitation of Liability

To the extent permitted by law, our liability is limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.