Quality policy of EUROJURIS
Our presence in EUROJURIS International network requires maintaining a highest quality standards, defined in so called “10 commandments”.
The 10 Commandments Of Eurojuris International
Ethics and Integrity
All member lawyers shall observe the CCBE code, even if the code has not been ratified by the national professional authorities of the lawyer's country. All members shall act in accordance with the client's best interest.
Access promptness
In the event of an emergency, respond with adequate promptness and in accordance with the nature of the emergency, described by either the client or the corresponding lawyer.
Within 24 hours of receiving an inquiry, confirm by fax or e-mail: Receipt of the inquiry:
- Acceptance of the case
- Capacity and qualification to provide adequate sernice
- Method of fee calculation
- That further information will follow within 5 working days.
Within 5 working days after the request has been received, the requested law firm shall in writing, either by fax or e-mail.
- Appoint the lawyers in charge of the case.
- Describe, if possible, the expected schedule of the case.
- Describe, if possible, the fees and expenses likely to occur in the cross-border process
- Inform the client on fees and expenses linked to the case, such as court disbursement etc
- Request further information in order to provide adequate services.
- Provide information on professional insurance coverage to the corresponding lawyer
If the firm declines to accept work, it should help the inquirer find a firm or a lawyer to carry out the work in question.
Availability
Work for clients introduced through Eurojuris firms shall be handled with the same degree of priority as that applicable to the firm's most favored clients, and the firm will promptly:
- Adequately inform the client or corresponding lawyer
- Answer telephone calls, faxes, mail and e-mail
If the lawyer is not available upon request, the lawyer's office shall forward the request, and also, if the lawyer is unable to respond, inform the client.
Insurance
Each firm must subscribe to a professional indemnity insurance to cover all lawyers working for the services requested.
Each national organisation shall inform Eurojuris International on the minimum insurance amount in the country and shall ensure its member firms have a minimum cover of 375.000 EUROS.
In the event that the requested services imply a risk exceeding the current insurance coverage, the requested lawyer shall promptly inform his/her colleague.
Competence & Training
The lawyers in charge of the case shall have the adequate and relevant professional training & background to carry out the task.
The member firms shall have access to relevant and updated sources of legal information. All lawyers shall have a vocational training policy, in order to keep their knowledge in the areas of legal services that they perform up to date.
Every firm shall prepare a program of vocational training for their member lawyers.
The secretaries and the staff of the member firms shall be adequately trained.
Language
Every firm shall be capable of serving clients in at least one foreign language.
Within the firm at least one of the secretaries shall be able to communicate in one foreign language, this is necessary in order to forward messages or requests to the lawyer in charge.
Quality procedures & management
Every Firm and national organisation shall appoint one quality manager, having the authority to instruct colleagues and employees to adapt the requirements set in the standards adopted by the firm.
Every national organisation shall prepare a draft of a quality manual for their member firms.
Every member firm shall prepare a quality manual. One copy shall be sent to the quality manager within the national organisation.
All member firms shall have a procedure of dealing with complaints from clients or from member colleagues.
Communication equipment
The member firms shall have adequate equipment for communication, including a fax machine with an individual telephone line and e-mail.
The member firms shall establish routines for controlling incoming and outgoing communication.
Acceptance of review
The quality manuals shall be subject to the review of an auditor appointed or approved by each national member organisation of Eurojuris.
The firm's quality manual shall be subject to a review and audit, according to routines agreed upon by each national member organisation of Eurojuris. The objective of the audit is to review the routines and manuals, not to review the legal advice given by the lawyers. The member firms and member lawyers adjust their quality manuals and their performance quality in consideration of comments made by the auditor.
If the auditor, by performing such reviews, must be given access to confidential information, approval shall be given by the clients prior to access to such information. The auditor shall sign a declaration of confidentiality to such information.
Eurojuris marketing
All marketing shall conform to high ethical standards.
No member firms shall be entitled to market the firm as member of Eurojuris until the national organisation has approved the firm's quality manuals, and each member lawyer has signed the form undertaking the quality standard.”