Terms of Service
Last Updated: 25 September 2023
AAC LAW TERMS OF SERVICE
Section 1. Background
a. This document sets forth the standard terms and conditions that are applicable to all engagement agreements entered into by Ammogao Arugay & Co. (Attorneys-at-Law) or AAC Law, with any person or juridical entity that engages its services by signing or agreeing to sign a proposal or engagement agreement, or one who, without signing or agreeing to sign any such documents, proceeded to avail, or benefited from the services of AAC Law. All such persons or entities are referred to herein as “client”.
b. These terms are deemed written in every engagement agreement and shall at all times prevail in case of conflict with such engagement agreements, except as otherwise provided under Section 3 hereof.
c. Nothing in this document shall be interpreted to establish the existence of any other contractual relations with any of AAC Law’s clients, except that of attorney-client relationship.
Section 2. Schedule of Fees
a. The client agrees for AAC Law to charge the following minimum fees (exclusive of VAT) for the various cases, concerns, transactions, or services availed by the client:
|
I. Acceptance Fees in Criminal Cases *NOTE: The acceptance fee shall refer only to the current level of proceedings during which the Law Firm was engaged i.e. if the Law Firm was engaged while the case is pending with the Prosecutor’s Office, the acceptance fees shall cover the proceedings before the said Office ONLY. *NOTE: Not less than 50% of the amount of acceptance fees indicated herein, shall be charged if and when the case proceeds to the next stage e.g. the Criminal Information is filed in court. |
|
|
A. Simple Cases – Prosecution or defense of B.P.22 cases (Amount not exceeding P2,000,000.00) – Prosecution or defense of light offenses (slight physical injuries, reckless imprudence resulting in damage to property, malicious mischief, etc.) |
Not less than *For juridical entities: Not less than |
|
B. Intermediate Cases – Prosecution or defense of B.P.22 cases (Amount exceeding P2,000,000.00) – Prosecution or defense of less serious offenses (serious physical injuries, reckless imprudence resulting in damage to property and physical injuries, estafa, theft, slight illegal detention, perjury, false testimony, attempted homicide etc.) – Prosecution or defense of R.A. 9262 cases |
Not less than *For juridical entities: Not less than |
|
C. Cases involving Grave Offenses or Complicated Cases – Violation of the Cybercrime Prevention Act – Prosecution or defense of serious offenses (syndicated estafa, qualified theft, violation of R.A. 7610, rape, lascivious conduct against a minor, homicide, frustrated homicide, murder, attempted and frustrated murder, serious illegal detention etc.) |
Not less than *For juridical entities: Not less than |
|
II. Acceptance Fees in Civil & Administrative Cases: *NOTE: The acceptance fee shall refer only to the current level of proceedings during which the Law Firm was engaged i.e. if the Law Firm was engaged while the case is pending with the first level court, the acceptance fees shall cover the proceedings before the said court ONLY. *NOTE: Not less than 50% of the amount of acceptance fees indicated herein, shall be charged if and when the case proceeds to the next stage e.g. the case is appealed to the second level court from the first level court. |
|
|
A. Assistance in Small Claims Cases |
Not less than |
|
B. Simple Cases – Ejectment Cases – Replevin – Complaint for Sum of Money (Not exceeding P5,000,000.00) – – NLRC Case – Extra-judicial Foreclosure |
Not less than *For juridical entities: Not less than |
|
C. Intermediate Cases – Petition for Child Custody/Habeas Corpus – Complaint for Sum of Money (Exceeding P5,000,000.00) – Petition for Naturalization – Estate planning and preparation of extra-judicial settlement |
Not less than *For juridical entities: Not less than |
|
D. Difficult Cases/Commercial Cases – Petition for Insolvency/Rehabilitation Cases – Petition for Nullity of Marriage – Complaint for Legal Separation – Judicial Titling |
Not less than *For juridical entities: Not less than |
|
III. Appeal/Petition to the Regional Trial Court / Petition for Review with the Department of Justice |
Not less than *For juridical entities: Not less than |
|
IV. Appeal/Petition to Court of Appeals |
Not less than
*For juridical entities: Not less than |
|
V. Appeal/Petition to Supreme Court |
Not less than *For juridical entities: Not less than |
|
VI. Appearance Fees (First and Second Level Courts and Administrative or Quasi-Judicial Bodies) |
|
|
A. Metro Manila |
Not less than *Additional for transportation |
|
B. Regions III and IV-A |
Not less than *Additional for transportation and food |
|
C. Rest of the Philippines |
Not less than *Additional for transportation, food, and accommodation |
|
VII. Appearance Fees (Collegiate Courts and other bodies such as Senate or House of Representatives) |
Not less than *Additional for transportation, and logistics, including food. |
|
VIII. Pleading Fees |
|
|
A. Simple Pleadings – Motion to Admit Documents – Motion to Amend Pre-Trial Order – Compliance to be filed in collegiate courts – Motion for Postponement; if the same is requested by client or his/her witness |
Not less than *Additional P3.50 per page as printing costs *Additional for mailing expenses and postponement fees |
|
B. Intermediate Pleadings – Answer in LTFRB Cases – Counter-Affidavit – Reply-Affidavit – Rejoinder Affidavit – Motion for Leave to file Demurrer to Evidence – Compromise Agreements – Judicial-Affidavits – Motion for Reconsideration |
Not less than *Additional P3.50 per page as printing costs *Additional for mailing expenses and postponement fees |
|
C. Difficult Pleadings – Initiatory Pleading – Answer in Civil Cases – Demurrer to Evidence – Petition for Review – Memorandum – Position Paper |
Not less than *Additional P3.50 per page as printing costs *Additional for mailing expenses and postponement fees |
|
IX. Conference Fees |
Not less than *Not less than *Any increment of an hour shall be billed as one (1) hour. |
Section 3. Incorporation to Proposals and Engagement Agreements
a. The minimum fees provided in this document is deemed incorporated in all proposals and engagement agreements, and shall prevail over such proposals and engagement agreements, provided the same sets a higher amount than that provided in the proposal or engagement agreement. In case a higher amount is adopted in the proposal or engagement agreement, the said higher fees shall prevail.
Section 4. Nature of Relationship and Commencement of Representation
a. The acceptance of a proposal or signing of an engagement agreement, followed with the payment of the applicable acceptance or other fees, are collectively required to establish attorney-client relationship.
b. A signed proposal or engagement agreement shall not impose any obligation upon AAC Law to act as counsel, or to enter its appearance in any proceedings, or to in any way assist the client in whatever capacity, until and unless payment of the applicable acceptance or other fees is paid.
Section 5. Conduct of the Client
a. The client shall conduct himself/herself or itself in accordance with applicable law and shall not engage in any activity that violates any statute, rule of conduct and ethics, or existing government rules and regulations, or such other activities that are detrimental to the case or transaction being handled by AAC Law.
b. The failure of the client to settle any existing billing or statement of account issued by AAC Law, shall be considered as conduct detrimental to the case or transaction handled by AAC Law.
c. In case AAC Law discovers any commission or omission on the part of the client, or any person or entity directly or indirectly acting on his/her/its behalf, that tends to establish a prima facie violation of the foregoing provisions, AAC Law shall have the right to cease its relationship with the client, and thereby terminate any existing engagement agreement, in accordance with Section 6, paragraph c, hereof.
Section 6. Termination
a. Subject to existing laws, rules, and regulations, either Party may, without cause, terminate this Agreement through a 30-day prior written notice.
b. The termination of the agreement under paragraph “a” above shall not absolve the client from paying any and all fees incurred, outstanding, or payable up to the effective date of termination. Furthermore, the termination of the engagement agreement under section “a”, shall not affect the right of AAC Law to collect any premium or success fees, which shall in all cases be payable to AAC Law in case the outcome/condition set is met, even if the same occurred subsequent to the termination of this agreement or accomplished through the assistance of a new counsel or upon the client’s exclusive efforts.
c. In case of a violation under Section 5, paragraph a, hereof, AAC Law shall be entitled to immediately terminate any existing engagement agreement with the erring client, without need of notice. In such case, AAC Law is entitled to immediately withdraw its appearance as counsel in any court or administrative proceedings.
Section 7. Dispute Resolution and Venue of Actions
a. Except as otherwise provided under Section 6, paragraph c, the parties shall at all times exert earnest efforts to resolve any differences, dispute, or violation of this agreement.
b. Any suit, case, complaint, or cause of action directly or indirectly arising out of or in connection with these Terms or any signed engagement agreement, shall be filed exclusively in the appropriate courts of Quezon City.
-AAC Law-