The purpose of Keystone is to allow you to look after your clients and to give you the authority you need to do so.
You have the authority set out in this Manual to bind the firm in relation to client/matters. Where this is not enough, you should speak to the Operations and Compliance Director . You should not bind the firm in other respects, for example by engaging third-party services on behalf of the firm (as opposed to the client), even if only on a trial or free basis, or starting credit control actions yourself (credit control is dealt with by Central Office as set out below).
Pod Members do not have authority to bind the firm and should have the Pod Principal sign the requisite document instead. Pod Principals can authorise senior Pod Members to sign on their behalf if they so wish. Even with authority, PAs, trainees and paralegals may not sign court documents, undertakings, Engagement Letters, etc. nor may they give external fee estimates.