Legal Engagement Agreement for the United Kingdom

Legal Engagement Agreement Template for England and Wales

A Legal Engagement Agreement is a formal contract governed by the laws of England and Wales that establishes the professional relationship between a law firm and its client. It outlines the scope of legal services, fees, responsibilities, and terms of engagement while ensuring compliance with SRA regulations and relevant legislation. The document serves as the foundational agreement protecting both parties' interests and setting clear expectations for the professional relationship.

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Get template free
Upload to review

Your data doesn't train Genie's AI

You keep IP ownership of your docs

4.6 / 5
4.6 / 5
4.8 / 5

What is a Legal Engagement Agreement?

The Legal Engagement Agreement is a crucial document used when establishing a professional relationship between legal service providers and their clients in England and Wales. This agreement serves multiple purposes: it clearly defines the scope of legal services to be provided, establishes fee arrangements, outlines mutual obligations, and ensures compliance with regulatory requirements including SRA standards and data protection laws. The document is essential for risk management and professional compliance, providing both parties with clarity and protection throughout the engagement.

What sections should be included in a Legal Engagement Agreement?

1. Parties: Identification of the law firm and client, including full legal names and addresses

2. Background: Context of the engagement and relationship between the parties

3. Definitions: Key terms used throughout the agreement and their specific meanings

4. Scope of Services: Detailed description of legal services to be provided, including any specific exclusions

5. Fees and Payment Terms: Fee structure, billing arrangements, payment terms, and disbursements

6. Client Responsibilities: Client obligations including providing information, instructions, and cooperation

7. Confidentiality: Confidentiality obligations, exceptions, and handling of sensitive information

8. Data Protection: GDPR compliance, data handling procedures, and privacy obligations

9. Termination: Terms for ending the engagement, notice periods, and consequences of termination

What sections are optional to include in a Legal Engagement Agreement?

1. Conflict of Interest: Procedures for identifying and managing potential conflicts of interest

2. Intellectual Property: Rights and ownership of work product and intellectual property created during the engagement

3. Insurance: Professional indemnity insurance coverage details and limitations of liability

4. Anti-Money Laundering: AML procedures and client due diligence requirements

5. Complaints Procedure: Process for handling client complaints and dispute resolution

What schedules should be included in a Legal Engagement Agreement?

1. Schedule 1 - Fee Schedule: Detailed breakdown of fees, hourly rates, and charging structure

2. Schedule 2 - Team Structure: Key personnel, their roles, and responsibilities in the engagement

3. Schedule 3 - Privacy Notice: Detailed information about data protection practices and privacy policies

4. Schedule 4 - Terms and Conditions: Standard terms of business and additional conditions

5. Schedule 5 - Service Level Agreement: Specific performance standards and response times

Authors

Alex Denne

Head of Growth (Open Source Law) @ Genie AI | 3 x UCL-Certified in Contract Law & Drafting | 4+ Years Managing 1M+ Legal Documents

Jurisdiction

England and Wales

Publisher

Genie AI

Cost

Free to use

Find the exact document you need

Pro Bono Engagement Letter

An England & Wales legal document formalizing free legal service arrangements between providers and recipients.

Download

Private Placement Engagement Letter

A formal engagement letter under English and Welsh law establishing terms between a financial advisor and client for private placement services.

Download

Legal Engagement Agreement

A formal agreement under English and Welsh law establishing the terms of engagement between a law firm and client.

Download

Financial Plan Engagement Letter

An English law-governed engagement letter establishing the terms of financial planning services between advisor and client, conforming to FCA requirements.

Download

Success Fee Engagement Letter

A formal engagement letter under English and Welsh law establishing terms for legal services with fees partially contingent on successful outcomes.

Download

Business Broker Engagement Agreement

A legal agreement under English and Welsh law establishing the terms for business brokerage services, including scope, fees, and obligations.

Download

Preparation Engagement Letter

A formal engagement letter under English law establishing terms between accountant and client for financial statement preparation services.

Download

Expert Witness Engagement Letter

A formal engagement document used in England and Wales to retain expert witness services, outlining terms and obligations under CPR Part 35.

Download

Audit Engagement Letter

A formal agreement under English and Welsh law establishing the terms of engagement between an audit firm and its client for audit services.

Download

Evergreen Engagement Letter

A continuing professional services agreement under English law that establishes an ongoing engagement between service provider and client without a fixed end date.

Download

Contractor Engagement Letter

A formal engagement letter under English and Welsh law that establishes the terms between a contractor and client company.

Download

Valuation Engagement Letter

A formal engagement letter for valuation services under English and Welsh law, establishing the terms and conditions for professional valuation services.

Download

Client Engagement Agreement

An England and Wales-governed agreement establishing terms between a service provider and client.

Download
See more related templates

Genie’s Security Promise

Genie is the safest place to draft. Here’s how we prioritise your privacy and security.

Your documents are private:

We do not train on your data; Genie’s AI improves independently

All data stored on Genie is private to your organisation

Your documents are protected:

Your documents are protected by ultra-secure 256-bit encryption

We are ISO27001 certified, so your data is secure

Organizational security:

You retain IP ownership of your documents and their information

You have full control over your data and who gets to see it

2 Docs LeftAccess Now