Question 1

What does the monthly fee actually cover?

Accepted Answer

The scope set out in your chosen tier, executed by senior commercial attorneys. The fee covers our time, our judgement and our availability. It is not a deposit against hours. Disbursements (CIPC fees, sheriff and court fees, briefing of counsel where required) are billed at cost. VAT applies.

Question 2

What happens if a matter falls outside the retainer scope?

Accepted Answer

We will tell you before any work begins, with an estimate and a clear basis for the fee. Typical examples include contested litigation, complex tax structuring or significant M&A execution. Embedded clients receive discounted rates on overflow work; Essential and Advisory clients are quoted at our standard commercial rate.

Question 3

How long do I have to commit?

Accepted Answer

A one-month notice period after an initial three-month engagement. We are not interested in retaining a client who is not getting value, and the retainer is built to prove itself in the first quarter.

Question 4

Who actually does the work?

Accepted Answer

A named primary attorney is allocated to your business and is your single point of contact. From Advisory upwards, a secondary attorney is named to provide continuity for leave, capacity and conflict cover. Junior support is used for administration only, never for advice.

Question 5

How do you handle conflicts of interest?

Accepted Answer

We run a full conflict check before the engagement letter is signed. Where we act for businesses in the same sector, we will tell you upfront so you can decide whether to proceed. We will not act against a current retainer client, and we ringfence sensitive matters internally where appropriate.

Question 6

Can I move between tiers?

Accepted Answer

At any time, with one month's notice. Most clients start at Essential or Advisory and move up as the business scales. We will also tell you when we think you are paying for more than you need - the retainer should match your business, not the other way around.

Question 7

What is not included?

Accepted Answer

Court appearances, formal litigation, heads of argument, complex tax opinions, BEE verification audits and forensic investigations are not included. These are quoted separately or, for Embedded clients, managed at the discounted overflow rate.