Sjöcrona - van Stigt

Complaints Procedure

Article 1 definitions

In this office complaint procedure the following definitions apply:

  • complaint: any written expression of dissatisfaction by or on behalf of the client towards the lawyer or the persons working under his responsibility regarding the conclusion and execution of an agreement for services, the quality of the services or the amount of the fee, not being a complaint as referred to in paragraph 4 of the Lawyers Act;
  • complainant: the client or his representative making a complaint known;
  • complaints officer: the lawyer charged with handling the complaint;

Article 2 scope of application

  1. This office complaint procedure applies to any agreement for services between Sjöcrona · van Stigt Advocaten and the client.
  2. Each lawyer of Sjöcrona · van Stigt Advocaten shall ensure complaint handling in accordance with the office complaint procedure.

Article 3 objectives

The purpose of this office complaint procedure is:

  1. to establish a procedure to deal constructively with client complaints within a reasonable period of time;
  2. to establish a procedure to determine the causes of client complaints;
  3. to maintain and improve existing relationships through proper complaint handling;
  4. training staff in client-focused response to complaints;
  5. improving the quality of services by means of complaint handling and complaint analysis.

Article 4 Information at the start of service provision

  1. This office complaints procedure has been made public. Before entering into the contract of engagement, the lawyer informs the client that the firm has an office complaints procedure and that it applies to the services provided.
  2. Sjöcrona · van Stigt Advocaten has included via the general terms and conditions to which independent party or body a complaint that is not resolved after treatment can be submitted to obtain a binding decision and has made this known in the engagement confirmation.
  3. Complaints as referred to in Article 1 of these office complaints regulations that are not resolved after treatment will be submitted to the Disputes Committee for the Legal Profession (Geschillencommissie Advocatuur).

Article 5 Internal complaints procedure

  1. If a client approaches the office with a complaint, the complaint will be forwarded to Mr A.S. ten Doesschate, who thus acts as complaints officer.
    The complaints officer notifies the person complained about of the filing of the complaint and gives the complainant and the person complained about the opportunity to explain the complaint.
  2. The person complained about will try to reach a solution together with the client, with or without the intervention of the complaints officer.
  3. The complaints officer will settle the complaint within four weeks of receiving the complaint or will notify the complainant of any deviation from this deadline, giving reasons, and stating the deadline within which a decision on the complaint will be made.
  4. The complaints officer shall notify the complainant and the person complained against in writing of the opinion on the merits of the complaint, whether or not accompanied by recommendations.
  5. If the complaint has been satisfactorily settled, the complainant, the complaints officer and the person complained about will sign the judgment on the merits of the complaint.

Article 6 confidentiality and free complaint handling

  1. The complaints officer and the person complained about shall observe confidentiality in handling the complaint.
  2. The complainant shall not be charged for the costs of handling the complaint.

Article 7 responsibilities

  1. The complaints officer is responsible for the timely handling of the complaint.
  2. The person complained about will keep the complaints officer informed about any contact and possible resolution.
  3. The complaints officer shall keep the complainant informed about the resolution of the complaint.
  4. The complaints officer keeps the complaint file.

Article 8 Registration of complaints

  1. The complaints officer registers the complaint, including the subject of the complaint.
  2. A complaint may be divided into several topics.
  3. The complaints officer reports periodically on the handling of complaints and makes recommendations to prevent new complaints, as well as to improve procedures.