Relationships may develop with Referrers. Typically, such entities will be service providers and other professional advisers such as accountancy firms, trademark attorneys or other law firms. Referrers can only be owned by Central Office and not by individual lawyers. In other words, a lawyer will not own the clients that flow through a Referrer. However, to ensure fairness, where you start and maintain the relationship with the Referrer, where the Referrer sends all referrals to you and where you undertake the work or arrange for the work to be done, then you may own the new clients that result from those referrals. For the avoidance of doubt, seeking suggestions from Central Office as to which colleagues are best placed to assist shall not affect client ownership.
We do not pay or receive referral fees. This can compromise our independence and is frowned upon by the Regulator. For guidance on this, contact the Director of Operations and Compliance.