The terms upon which we accept instruction.

Engagement terms are where the relationship between counsel and client is made plain. We have tried to write these in the register in which we conduct the practice itself — direct, specific, and without the defensive verbosity that has come to characterise professional legal documents in recent decades. If any provision below is unclear to you, ask us to explain it before you countersign an engagement letter. A term you have not understood is a term you have not agreed.

Clause IThe scope of engagement

Our engagement begins on the date we countersign a letter of engagement with you, and not before. Nothing said in an initial consultation, in correspondence leading up to engagement, or in introductory discussions constitutes professional advice upon which you are entitled to rely, nor does it create a client relationship.

The scope of our work is defined by the engagement letter. Where the matter evolves and additional work becomes necessary — as commonly happens — we will either issue a supplementary letter or agree an amendment in writing. We will not conduct work outside the agreed scope and then invoice for it retrospectively.

Clause IIFees and expenses

Unless otherwise specified, our fees are fixed for each defined scope of work. Hourly billing is not a standard model of this practice, and is used only in the Sovereign tier or for defined consultancy work where the scope cannot reasonably be estimated in advance.

Fees as published on our website are indicative only and subject to adjustment on the basis of jurisdictional complexity, family size, and documentary condition. The binding figure is the one in your engagement letter.

Fees are payable as follows:

On signature

40% of the engagement fee is payable upon counter-signature of the engagement letter. This activates the engagement and allows active work to begin.

Mid-engagement

A further 40% is payable on the issuance of the evidentiary file — typically around week eight of the engagement.

Completion

The final 20% is payable upon the issuance of your teudat oleh, or, in the case of Tier Two and Three engagements, the relevant milestones agreed under engagement letter.

Expenses

Third-party expenses (apostilles, certified translations, archival searches, court fees, rabbinic letter costs, travel by our staff if requested) are charged separately, at cost, and are itemised on a monthly statement.

Fees are payable in the currency specified in the engagement letter. VAT or equivalent sales taxes are added where applicable and disclosed on the letter.

Clause IIIConfidentiality and privilege

All correspondence and work product between you and this practice is treated as confidential and, where the jurisdiction in question recognises it, is held under attorney-client privilege or its statutory equivalent.

We do not publish case details. We do not discuss your engagement with any third party without your express authorisation, even in anonymised form. We do not use your instruction as a case study, as a marketing reference, or as a testimonial subject, absent your written agreement to a specific disclosure.

The duty of confidence survives the termination of the engagement and continues indefinitely, subject only to the narrow exceptions recognised by professional regulation (for example, disclosures required by law to prevent imminent harm, or compelled by statutory investigation).

Clause IVYour obligations

The engagement proceeds on the basis that the information you provide us is true, complete, and accurate. This is both a regulatory requirement — we have anti-money-laundering and know-your-client obligations — and a practical one: a file built on incomplete information cannot be successfully filed.

Specifically, you undertake:

1. To disclose all material facts known to you that are relevant to the matter, including those which you may prefer not to disclose.
2. To provide documents requested by us within the timelines agreed, and to authorise third parties (rabbinic authorities, foreign registries) to release records on your behalf where necessary.
3. To notify us promptly of any change in circumstances that affects the matter — changes in citizenship, marital status, residence, or the intentions of any co-applicant.
4. To comply with the laws and regulatory requirements of your home jurisdiction, including any obligations to disclose the acquisition of a new citizenship to your tax authorities or employer where such obligation exists. We do not advise on the disclosure obligations of your home jurisdiction; that is a matter for your local counsel.

Clause VLimits on what we advise

We are instructed as counsel on matters of Israeli immigration and citizenship law, and — under the Sanctuary and Sovereign tiers — on matters of Israeli real estate and associated arrangements. We do not, under any engagement, provide:

• Tax advice on jurisdictions other than Israel, except where we specifically coordinate with your existing tax advisors
• Investment advice of any kind
• Advice on the laws of your home jurisdiction, including immigration, tax, or family law
• Religious guidance on questions of Jewish status or observance (though we can introduce you to rabbinic authorities who do)

Where a matter extends into these areas, we will either introduce you to appropriate specialist counsel or, with your consent, coordinate directly with counsel you already instruct.

Clause VIOur undertakings to you

In accepting your instruction, we undertake:

1. To conduct your matter with diligence, competence, and the discretion appropriate to a private instruction.
2. To keep you informed of material developments as they arise, without unsolicited padding of correspondence.
3. To respond to your written enquiries within two business days, and to urgent enquiries within twenty-four hours.
4. To hold your documents securely, return originals on completion, and destroy copies on the expiry of our professional retention period.
5. To refund fees paid in respect of work not yet performed if the engagement is terminated, subject to the termination provisions at Clause VIII below.

Clause VIILiability

Our liability to you in connection with any engagement is limited to the amount of the fees paid by you under that engagement, save where such limitation is not permitted by law.

We carry professional indemnity insurance at the level required by our regulators and above, the certificate of which is available on request.

We are not liable for:

• Delays caused by foreign authorities outside our control
• Refusals of application where the refusal follows from facts not disclosed to us at the time of engagement
• Consequences arising from a client's failure to disclose material information or from a client's failure to comply with the laws of a jurisdiction for which we do not advise
• Matters arising from force majeure — war, civil disturbance, public health emergency, or material government policy change

Clause VIIITermination

You may terminate the engagement at any time by written notice. On termination:

• We will bring all active work to an orderly close, not an abrupt halt
• We will return all documents and records that are yours
• Fees already paid for work performed are non-refundable
• Fees paid in advance for work not yet performed are refunded within fourteen days
• Third-party expenses incurred up to the termination date are payable by you

We may terminate the engagement on written notice where: you fail to pay fees that are due and payable for more than thirty days after a final reminder; you materially breach the obligations at Clause IV above; a conflict of interest arises that cannot be managed consistently with our professional obligations; or continuation of the engagement would require us to act contrary to law or to the rules of our professional regulators.

Clause IXGoverning law and dispute resolution

These terms, and any engagement letter which incorporates them, are governed by the law of England and Wales, without regard to its conflict of laws principles. Any dispute arising out of the engagement is subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales, except where Israeli law requires otherwise in respect of the regulated legal work itself, in which case the relevant Israeli courts have jurisdiction.

Before commencing formal proceedings, both parties undertake to attempt to resolve any dispute through direct discussion and, failing that, through a single neutral mediator to be agreed between the parties. Mediation costs are shared equally unless the mediator orders otherwise.

Clause XComplaints

If you are dissatisfied with any aspect of our service, we ask that you raise the matter first with the senior partner managing your engagement. If the matter is not resolved to your satisfaction, you may escalate to the practice's managing partner, whose contact details will be provided on request.

You retain at all times the right to complain to our professional regulator — the Israel Bar Association in respect of Israeli legal work, the Solicitors Regulation Authority in respect of English solicitor work, or the equivalent body in the relevant jurisdiction. Contact details for each are published on their websites and provided by us on request.