Legal

The initial email discussion is free of charge. After that, all time is charged.

To make maximum use of your very limited free time we advise that you send a brief, concise email giving full details, clearly stating the name of the Principal concerned and including your MAA membership number, and copies of essential documents (NOT ORIGINALS), such as your agreement, so these are in the solicitor’s hands prior to discussion and you must complete the Legal Questionnaire mentioned below which the MAA will send the link to you for completion online Legal Questionnaire . The solicitor will charge for reading many more documents than these.

Note:
– we do not offer a same day service.
– this benefit is only available to paid up Members of The MAA.

The initial email discussion will briefly indicate any major points which result from a quick read through of the key relevant documents you send only. You should therefore not rely on it as authoritative or complete legal advice.

After the initial free email exchange, all work and visits are chargeable to you by agreement with the solicitor. You must make full disclosure to the solicitor of anything likely to be relevant otherwise you may make any work paid for by you ineffective.

As agency law is one of the solicitor’s areas of expertise you will not be paying for time spent learning about the law in this area etc which you might incur at non-specialist lawyers.

PLEASE NOTE: you will be asked to pay the solicitor’s full hourly rates should you cease to be a Member of the MAA.

IMPORTANT If you require advice please email us at info@themaa.co.uk immediately with your full names and business names, and complete the online Legal Questionnaire – this will enable the relevant solicitor to conduct a “conflict of interest” check before you send through the contract/draft and other relevant documents.
Note: this check will be conducted by the solicitor based on your information in the completed online Legal Questionnaire

MAA Note when seeking 15 Minutes Free Advice on New Contracts
>> also see the sections NEW CONTRACTS and CONTRACT ADVICE below.
>> if you require further negotiations and/or contract amendments, see LEGAL ACTION below.

DO NOT SEND THE CONTRACT WITH NO COMMENTS.
DO NOT REQUEST GENERAL ADVICE ON THE WHOLE CONTRACT AS 15 MINUTES IS NOT ENOUGH TO READ AND ADVISE ON EVERY CLAUSE.
If you need to go through every clause in the contract then the solicitor will have to open a file and charge you if you agree to proceed on that basis.

EMAIL THE MAA

Consultancy

Our consultancy services are meticulously designed to identify and leverage your unique strengths, unleashing your untapped potential for unparalleled success. By joining forces with us, we embark on a collaborative journey where challenges transform into strategic opportunities, guiding you towards sustained growth and achievement.

Mediation Service

Our mediation services provide a swift and amicable resolution to disputes, fostering cooperation and preserving relationships among parties. With experienced mediators guiding the process, we facilitate constructive dialogues and tailored solutions to meet the needs of all involved.

New Contracts

Read the contract thoroughly yourself to ensure you are happy with the commercial terms i.e. commissions, annual targets, competing products etc. before you ask for advice. If the basic commercial terms are wrong – why seek advice on it particularly if it is non-negotiable? There is no point in signing up to a contract which you consider to be unreasonable and unprofitable.

Contract Advice

Check the contract, before you send it, to ensure that it covers the critical issues for you under the Regulations i.e.

a) notice period up to 3 months after 2 years’ service
b) is there an indemnity clause applying (if not, then compensation is paid on termination instead which may be higher)?
c) are Regulations 7 and 8 excluded i.e. there will be no pipeline commission claim after termination.
d) are there any non-compete clauses both during the contract and after termination?
e) Is the Agreement Exclusive / Non-exclusive/ Sole Agent?

Legal Action

If you require any negotiation or amendments to the contract between the solicitor and your Principal, then a file will have to be opened and it will be charged. You will need to send the solicitor a copy of your passport or international driving licence, plus a utility bill to enable him to open the file should that prove necessary.

Contract Reading EXTRA

Although free contract reading is one of the MAA’s most popular services and is available to full members, some agents have expressed the wish for a concise written report. The MAA can arrange this service with a solicitor who has a wealth of Agency Law knowledge.

=> Service Costs: £130 + VAT Members can book Contract Reading EXTRA through the MAA office who will provide the bank details for the payment transfer.

PLEASE NOTE: typical legal fees now regularly exceed £500 per hour, so this is an extremely discounted price for MAA Members.

Please Note: Discussions on Termination

A Legal Questionnaire needs to be completed for discussions on termination. This multi page form can be completed online but is also available on request from the MAA office.
Solicitors have a strict requirement before they can work with new clients.
- In the case of individuals, partnerships and majority shareholders they must have a copy of your passport or driving licence, and a recent utility bill.
- For companies they need such ID in relation to a director of your limited company. This is a regulatory requirement under the very strict Money Laundering Regulations.
In the unlikely event that the solicitor already acts for the Principal concerned and they are unable to give advice, or you wish to use someone else for any reason, or wish to take action on a contingency fee (“no win, no fee”) basis (which will be more expensive if successful), the MAA will endeavour to find you an alternative Agency specialist solicitor but the terms may differ.