These terms and conditions govern the engagement between you (the client) and MyVisa Lawyers Pty Ltd for the provision of immigration legal services. By accepting a fee quote or making a milestone payment, you agree to be bound by these terms. These terms are prepared in accordance with the Legal Profession Uniform Law (NSW) 2014 and the Legal Profession Uniform General Rules 2015.
Service Entity & Legal Practice
The principal solicitor responsible for your matter is Nilesh Nandan, BBus(Accy) LLB(QUT) MBA(IntBus), Immigration Lawyer and Special Counsel.
Costs Disclosure
This costs disclosure is made in accordance with Part 4.3 of the Legal Profession Uniform Law (NSW). Our professional fees are fixed as set out in this agreement. GST at 10% applies on top of the quoted fees. You have the right to: (a) negotiate a costs agreement with us; (b) negotiate the billing method; (c) receive a bill and request an itemised bill; (d) seek the assistance of the Office of the Legal Services Commissioner (OLSC) in the event of a dispute about legal costs. You also have the right to have our costs assessed by a costs assessor under Part 4.3 Division 7 of the Legal Profession Uniform Law.
Key Terms
- Right to Negotiate
- Itemised Bills
- Independent Costs Assessment
- Cooling-Off Period
- Professional Standards Limitation
- Consumer Guides
- Discount Conditions
- Multiple Applicants
- Departure from Australia
- Scope Limitation
- Interest on Overdue Invoices
- Complaints
- Confidentiality
- Termination
- Professional Indemnity Insurance
1.Right to Negotiate
You have the right to negotiate a costs agreement with us before we commence work. If you do not wish to negotiate, payment of Milestone 1 constitutes acceptance of the fees and terms set out in this quote.
2.Itemised Bills
You may request an itemised bill at any time. We will provide a detailed breakdown of work performed and time spent upon request.
3.Independent Costs Assessment
You have the right to have our costs assessed by a costs assessor under Part 4.3 Division 7 of the Legal Profession Uniform Law. You may also apply to the Supreme Court for a costs assessment.
4.Cooling-Off Period
You may terminate this agreement within 5 business days of accepting it by providing written notice. If you terminate within this period, you will only be liable for work already performed.
5.Professional Standards Limitation
Liability is limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation. This means that the maximum amount you can claim from us for professional negligence is limited under the applicable scheme.
6.Consumer Guides
The Department of Home Affairs publishes consumer guides for people using immigration assistance. These guides are available at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au. We encourage you to review them.
7.Discount Conditions
Discounts, including the early payment discount, are conditional on all milestone payments being made on time and in full. If a milestone payment is overdue, any discount previously applied may be reversed.
8.Multiple Applicants
Where this engagement covers multiple applicants (e.g., dependents), the fees quoted include the additional applicant surcharge as stated. Each applicant is bound by these terms.
9.Departure from Australia
If you depart Australia during the course of this engagement without prior written agreement, this may constitute a change of instructions and could affect the scope and cost of our work.
10.Scope Limitation
Our engagement is limited to the scope of work described in this quote. Any additional work, including responding to new requests for information from the Department, appeals, or new applications, will be quoted separately.
11.Interest on Overdue Invoices
Interest may be charged on overdue invoices at the rate of 2% per month, calculated daily on the outstanding balance. Interest will only be charged on amounts that remain unpaid for more than 30 days after the invoice date.
12.Complaints
If you have a complaint about our services or costs, please contact us in writing. If the complaint cannot be resolved, you may contact the Office of the Legal Services Commissioner (OLSC) at www.olsc.nsw.gov.au or the Law Society of NSW.
13.Confidentiality
All information provided to us in connection with this matter is treated as confidential and subject to legal professional privilege, except as required by law or with your consent.
14.Termination
Either party may terminate this agreement by giving written notice. If you terminate, you will be liable for fees and disbursements incurred up to the date of termination. We may terminate if there is a breakdown in the solicitor-client relationship, if you fail to provide instructions, or if you fail to pay invoices when due.
15.Professional Indemnity Insurance
MyVisa Lawyers Pty Ltd holds professional indemnity insurance as required by the Legal Profession Uniform Law.
Items Not Included
- Department of Home Affairs application fees and charges
- Administrative Review Tribunal filing fees
- Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia filing fees
- Federal Court of Australia filing fees
- Any applicable third-party charges or government fees
- Additional bridging visa applications arising from changes in circumstances
- Work arising from information not previously disclosed to us
- Any appeal or review if the primary application is unsuccessful (quoted separately if required)
Items not explicitly listed, including changes in instructions or circumstances, fall outside the scope of this agreement. Taking independent action or steps beyond the defined scope is not advised and may be considered a repudiation of our agreement. We strongly recommend consulting us before proceeding. Discounts are available if all payments are made on time and in full.
Fees & GST
Please be aware that our professional fees may be significantly higher than those charged by other practitioners. The fees outlined above do not include internal miscellaneous disbursements, which are fixed and capped per milestone as stated above. These disbursements cover administrative costs such as copying, scanning, document uploads, archiving and retrieval, stationery, telephone calls, and postage. The quoted fees include the preparation of up to five (5) statements. Any additional statements will incur a fee of $897 per statement (excluding GST).
MyVisa Australia Pty Ltd (ABN 65 092 524 359) is the service entity for MyVisa Lawyers Pty Ltd (ABN 54 607 960 547). Liability is limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation. MyVisa® is a registered trademark used under licence.
For questions about these terms, contact us at [email protected] or call 1300 558 472.