General terms and conditions

In order to provide an optimal service, Portico transparently applies the rules set out below.

1. Services provided
   1. Services – Portico makes every effort to carry out the assignments entrusted to it to the best of its ability. Unless otherwise expressly agreed, no services will be performed until the advance on fees and costs has been paid in full.
   2. Response times – Portico fully upholds the principles of thoroughness, diligence and communication inherent to the legal profession. Portico therefore undertakes to respond to client requests within an appropriate and reasonable time.
2. Liability and insurance
   1. Portico is a private limited company (SPRL) (see above). Each partner is and remains covered by professional liability insurance. The specific terms of this insurance are provided to Portico’s clients upon request. The liability of Portico’s lawyers is limited to the amount covered by the insurer (first and second tier). No damage exceeding this amount may be claimed (EUR 2,500,000 first tier; EUR 2,500,000 second tier).
3. Financial terms
   1. Retainer – From the opening of a file and before the agreed services are performed, every file in principle requires the payment of a retainer.
   2. Fees – Unless otherwise agreed, fees are calculated on the basis of the number of minutes spent on the file, at the hourly rate agreed before the engagement or set at the time of the first invoice.
   3. Costs – Internal costs (such as copying, postage, etc.) and external costs (such as fees for bailiffs, court registries, experts, substitute counsel at a local bar, travel and accommodation, special deliveries, technical advice, etc.) are invoiced at actual cost.
   4. Car travel costs are invoiced at a flat rate per kilometre travelled.
   5. Invoicing – Services and costs are invoiced by means of an invoice, accompanied by a breakdown of the services performed and the various costs. VAT is added at the rate applicable at the time the invoice is issued. Invoices must be paid within 30 days of being sent. Invoices are sent by email, unless the client expressly requests otherwise.
   6. Arrears – Any delay in payment of invoices entitles Portico to suspend the agreed services until the situation has been regularised. Any unpaid invoice automatically bears interest at a rate of 12% per annum from the due date.
   7. End of engagement – At the end of the file, or of all the files covered by an advance, the advance will be applied to the (partial) settlement of outstanding invoices, costs and, where applicable, invoices not yet paid. Any balance will be refunded to the client.
4. Disputes
   1. Applicable law – Relations between Portico and its clients are governed exclusively by Belgian law.
   2. Unpaid fees – An invoice that is not disputed within 30 days of being sent, by means of a written statement setting out in detail the reasons for the dispute, is deemed to have been accepted.

In the event of a dispute, an amicable settlement will be sought before the competent Court or Bar.
Any legal action relating to Portico’s fees or costs falls under the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the judicial district of Brussels.