These general terms and conditions cover all services supplied by the law firm with trade name van Puyenbroeck advocaten, established by attorney Laurens van Puyenbroeck, representing the Ltd. Advocatenkantoor Laurens van Puyenbroeck with undertaking number BE 0843.703.030 (hereafter “the Firm”), its partners and associates, and all other providers co-operating with the Firm or for whom the Firm may be liable. These general terms form together with the fee conditions, the conditions of the privacy statement and the possible specific conditions, the contract between the client and the Firm. In case of derogation between communicated conditions and conditions on the website the latter shall prevail, as conditions may be modified from time to time amongst others due to changing regulations. 

2. The client is obliged to inform the Firm of all facts or circumstances that are needed for the performance of the assignment. The client is responsible for the correctness, completeness and reliability of the information provided by him/her or on his/her behalf. The Firm is only held to (further) perform an assignment if the client provides the details and complete information requested by the Firm. In case a fixed fee was agreed, extra fees or charges will be due in case the client fails to provide any information, or provides information untimely or in an incomplete manner, causing additional services and costs. 

3. The liability of the Firm, its partners and associates, is limited to the amount of cover under the insurance policies of the Flemish Bar Association (Orde van Vlaamse Balies), and to the limits of cover contained in those policies. Clients may request this cover to be increased for purposes of a specific case or matter. In such case clients will be charged the additional premium to be paid. If for any reason (e.g. exclusion of coverage, insolvency of insurer, ...) no payment is executed under said insurance(s), the liability is limited to the sums paid by the client to the Firm during the calendar year relating to the file, up to a maximum of 10.000 Euro. Any liability for indirect or consequential damages is excluded. 

4. Save as expressly agreed otherwise between the parties, the Firm is not liable for the services provided by third parties.

5. The tariffs and costs of the Firm are agreed at the start of our services. The fees are exclusive of 21% VAT and do not include costs, save as otherwise agreed in writing between the parties. 

6. Invoices are only sent in electronic form to the e-mail address supplied/used by the client. Ordinary invoices of the Firm are payable within 14 calendar days from invoice date, retainer invoices require immediate payment. Should the client protest the invoice, he/she is obliged to send a motivated protest in writing within 14 calendar days from invoice date. In case the invoice is not paid in due time, a first reminder will be sent free of cost. If no payment occurs within 15 days following the first reminder, the unpaid invoice will give rise to interest charges at the legal rate (if applicable in accordance with the Belgian Law on Late Payments), as well as compensation for costs of execution incurred by the Firm, within the boundaries of the law.

6. Both parties may end the contract at any time, subject to written notification of the other party. In case of termination by the Firm, the Firm will give the client reasonable time to contact another attorney; however in case of breach of contract or misconduct by the client the Firm can stop its services with immediate effect. The Firm will send its final fee statement to the client, including all its services up until the time of termination of the agreement. The Firm will provide a copy of the procedural file upon the client's request, within a reasonable time and at the expense of the client, unless the client has already received copies during the agreement. 

7. Belgian law applies. Parties shall try to settle disputes amicably. The law courts of Gent (Belgium) will be solely competent, without prejudice to the Firm's right to initiate legal proceedings in the client's jurisdiction. This exclusive territorial competence clause does not apply to clients who are physical persons and qualify as consumers according to the Belgian Code of Economic Law. These consumers can moreover opt for out-of- court client-attorney dispute resolution in front of the Ombudsman Service for Consumer Disputes relating to the Legal profession in accordance with Book XVI of the Belgian Code of Economic Law (website www.ligeca.be).