General Conditions
General terms and Conditions Synergy Business Lawyers B.V.
1 November 2022
Synergy Business Lawyers B.V. (“SBL”) uses the following general terms and conditions.
Applicability
1. These general terms and conditions apply to all legal relationships arising in connection with assignments given to SBL by a client (“Client“).
2. These general terms and conditions also apply on behalf of all (legal) persons and third parties affiliated to SBL who are engaged by SBL in the execution of any assignment or who are or may be liable in connection therewith (“Affiliated Persons“). These general terms and conditions apply as an irrevocable third-party clause made free of charge vis-à-vis the Affiliated Persons within the meaning of Section 6:253 of the Dutch Civil Code, and they may invoke the same.
3. SBL may from time to time unilaterally amend these general terms and conditions.
Legal relationship exclusively with SBL
4. All assignments and other services are accepted and performed exclusively by SBL, regardless of any other intention. Sections 7:404, 7:407 subsection 2 and 7:409 of the Dutch Civil Code do not apply.
5. Third parties cannot derive any rights from the services provided by SBL to a Client.
Compensation and invoicing
6. SBL invoices on the basis of time worked at the applicable hourly rates, and charges specific expenses incurred with the execution of an assignment.
7. SBL invoices on a monthly basis. The payment term is 14 days after the invoice date and is a deadline (fatale termijn).
8. SBL is at all times authorized to demand an advance payment from the Client and, in case of non-payment, to suspend its services.
Liability
9. An act or omission in the services provided by SBL can only result in liability of SBL. Such liability is limited to the amount actually paid out in connection therewith under the (professional) liability insurance taken out by SBL, increased by the own risk amount under that insurance. SBL has taken out (professional) liability insurance with a maximum payment of (i) EUR 10,000,000 per claim and (ii) EUR 20,000,000 per year.
10. If the insurer does not pay out, for whatever reason, SBL’s total liability, regardless of the basis, is limited to a maximum of EUR 5,000.
11. Affiliated Persons shall in no event be liable.
12. The Client indemnifies SBL and the Affiliated Persons against all claims by third parties for which SBL’s liability is limited in articles 9 and 10. This indemnification also includes the related costs.
Engagement of third parties
13. SBL may engage a third party at the expense of the Client on the terms and conditions set out by such third party. SBL may accept those terms and conditions, including any limitation of liability, on behalf of the Client. SBL is not liable for the acts or omissions of that third party.
Statute of limitation and forfeiture of right
14. Claims related to alleged liability or shortcomings of SBL must be submitted to SBL in writing and substantiated as soon as possible, but in any case, within one (1) month after they came into existence, under penalty of forfeiture of rights (verval van recht).
15. Any claim for damages or related claims shall lapse one (1) year: (i) after the day on which the Client became aware of the damages and SBL’s liability therefor; or (ii) after closing the file, whichever occurs first.
No third party funds
16. In the context of the execution of assignments of the Client or third parties, SBL does not hold any funds in its possession and does not have a foundation for third-party funds at its disposal.
Data Protection
17. SBL uses digital communication, data storage and cloud computing services in the course of its activity and is not liable for damages arising from their use.
19. SBL retains electronic or paper files for a minimum of seven years after the last substantive communication with the Client in the case in question. At the end of this period, SBL may destroy these files.
Professional rules and compliance
20. Services provided by SBL are subject to professional rules and complaint and dispute resolution procedures. For more information, see our complaints procedure.
21. SBL is required by law to establish the identity of its Clients and to report unusual transactions to the authorities, without informing the Clients in this regard.
22. SBL may have an obligation to report the existence of potentially aggressive cross-border tax structures. For more information, see our website.
Choice of law and forum
23. All legal relations with SBL are governed by Dutch law. The Client may only submit disputes in first instance to the District Court of Amsterdam.
SYNERGY BUSINESS LAWYERS B.V. is based in Amsterdam and registered in the trade register under number 60830379.